Sthyr Energy, a deeptech start-up spun out of IIT Madras, has secured USD one million in seed funding led by Speciale Invest, with participation from Antares Ventures. The company is developing a mechanically rechargeable Zinc-Air battery system engineered for long-duration applications such as seasonal energy storage and fossil-free peaker plant replacement.

Founded by Gunjan (Co-founder & CEO), Akhil Kongara (Co-founder & CTO), and Muhammed Hamdan (Co-founder & COO), Sthyr’s technology decouples energy and power components, enabling flexible, modular deployment across scales. The system uses non-flammable, water-based electrolytes, prioritising safety while offering a viable alternative to lithium-ion chemistries. With its seed round, Sthyr plans to expand R&D, build pilot installations, and collaborate with grid-scale energy and industrial partners to validate commercial performance.

The funding builds on five years of foundational research at IIT Madras and aligns with global imperatives for reliable, dispatchable clean energy. Speciale’s Investment Principal, Vishnu Rajeev, noted that Sthyr’s use of domestically available metals positions India as a potential leader in energy storage innovation. This fresh capital will accelerate Sthyr’s journey from lab prototype to grid-connected deployments.