How can the next generation of batteries become safer, more powerful, and industrially scalable? This mission drives the Munich-based start-up Qkera, which has gained strong financial backing for its next steps. Following a recently closed seven-figure pre-seed funding round led by EIT InnoEnergy, Qkera will accelerate industrial validation, develop large-scale prototypes, and establish a pilot line by 2026.
Qkera on the road to success: Dr. Andreas Weis, Prof. Jennifer Rupp and Steffen Weinmann (from left). Photo: Qkera
Founded in 2024 within the ecosystem of the Excellence Cluster e-conversion as a spin-off from the Technical University of Munich (TUM) and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Qkera develops thin, flexible solid-state electrolytes for lithium-ion batteries that can store more energy, charge faster, and offer improved safety compared to conventional batteries. The company uses a unique chemical process to produce ceramic electrolyte layers in a single step and at low temperatures, resulting in materials that are cost-efficient, scalable, and compatible with existing production lines. With this approach, Qkera aims to enable the industrial breakthrough of solid-state batteries while strengthening Europe’s battery value chain. “We are delighted to be working with Qkera on the next generation of solid-state batteries,” says Christian Bauer, CEO DACH at InnoEnergy. “The electrolyte component developed by Qkera has the potential to help this key technology achieve a breakthrough in a rapidly growing market.” The pre-seed funding marks a major step toward mass-market solid-state batteries that can be manufactured using existing production processes — without major infrastructure changes.
Start-up journey: A crash course in leadership
Beyond technological innovation, Qkera also champions leadership and diversity. The company was founded by Prof. Jennifer Rupp (Chief Strategy Officer) — one of only a few female deep-tech founders in Germany — and Dr. Andreas Weis. “Running a company alongside an academic career has been the wildest adventure — and the most educational,” says Rupp. “It’s a crash course in leadership that I also bring back into science. With InnoEnergy, we couldn’t have wished for a better partner to scale our technology.” Qkera’s success story demonstrates how academic research can leap from industrial application to entrepreneurship. “With InnoEnergy’s support and unrivaled network, we are poised to scale up our process, finalize key development agreements, and advance the commercialization of next-generation battery technology,” adds Dr. Andreas Weis. The Qkera story is a prime example of the innovation culture fostered at e-conversion — where fundamental research meets entrepreneurial spirit to shape the energy technologies of tomorrow.
Behind every technological innovation lies a personal story. In our interview with Qkera co-founder Dr. Andreas Weis, he shares how a research idea grew into a company that is rethinking battery manufacturing in Europe.