Dr. Carol Hirschmugl in her lab at COnovate
Column by Carol Hirschmugl, Ph.D.
Wisconsin Ambassador; CEO and cofounder, COnovate
COnovate was recently selected as one of the top 10 finalists in the prestigious New Energy Challenge, an exciting initiative run by Shell. This challenge, which involved more than 300 companies from around the globe, gave us an invaluable opportunity to showcase our work in front of some of the brightest minds in the energy sector.
The program lasted seven weeks, during which Shell experts worked closely with the finalists to explore how we could contribute to Shell’s energy transition efforts—particularly through the development of stationary energy storage solutions. All of us, as finalists, now have potential pathways to collaborate with Shell.
One of the core aspects of the New Energy Challenge was its focus on innovation, and that is where COnovate truly shined. We were able to present our patented eCOphite™ material as an alternative to traditional graphite in lithium-ion batteries. This is particularly significant because more than 90% of the world’s graphite currently comes from China, making supply chains vulnerable. Our material is designed to offer a faster-charging, higher-capacity, and safer alternative that can enhance the overall performance and sustainability of lithium-ion batteries.
Being part of this challenge also gave us a platform to engage with some incredible partners. Rockstart, Unknown, and YES!Delft were instrumental in supporting us with their startup accelerator expertise, providing training and guidance in team building, negotiation, and collaboration with large corporations. The program’s workshops and mentorship sessions helped us refine our skills to engage with larger players in the energy space, which is essential for our growth.
A program highlight was the pitch event, where we presented COnovate’s vision in a six-minute pitch followed by a nine-minute Q&A with Shell’s experts. The feedback we received was invaluable, and it reinforced the importance of our mission to bring faster, more robust lithium-ion batteries to the market.
Looking ahead, COnovate’s focus is shifting from research and development towards commercialization. This is a critical stage for us, as it presents an opportunity to scale up production and make our technology more widely available. This transition requires careful planning, significant investment, and collaboration with the right partners.
In the years ahead, we aim to achieve large-scale production with a strong emphasis on forging new collaborations and attracting investor interest. The transition from small-scale R&D to large-scale production is a complex process, but we are fully committed to reshaping the future of the battery industry.
Related Posts
