Investment Notes: Voltavate

At Investible, we are always on the lookout for visionary founders rethinking the infrastructure powering our clean energy future. That’s why we are thrilled to back Voltavate, a next-generation battery technology startup that is addressing one of the most fundamental yet overlooked components of energy storage: the separator. Voltavate has successfully closed an A$850K oversubscribed round, led by Artesian alongside Investible, Electrifi Ventures, and a group of notable angels including John Woodand Reza Behnam.

The fundraise also featured Investible portfolio company founders Christiaan Jordaan (Sicona) and Steven Vassiloudis (Novalith). It was great to see things go full circle. Founder to investor!

Global battery demand is exploding but challenges persist

The global lithium-ion battery market is expected to exceed US$180–400B by 2030, with EVs driving over 70% of demand. At the same time, stationary energy storage is experiencing rapid growth, driven by aggressive decarbonisation targets and increased renewable energy penetration — a trend confirmed by AEMO’s Integrated System Plan and reinforced by ambitious state-level energy policies. In Australia, for example, the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) is supporting this shift through its Community Battery Program. Since June 2024, ARENA has conditionally approved up to AUD 143 million to deploy up to 370 community batteries, aiming to unlock the potential of behind-the-meter and commercial & industrial (C&I) battery energy storage systems (BESS) while improving grid reliability and affordability.

Despite surging global demand, the battery industry remains constrained by deep-rooted structural challenges that limit performance, safety, and profitability. These are not merely technical issues but also translate directly into economic inefficiencies, hampering scale and slowing innovation.

Reinventing the backbone of battery safety and performance

Battery separators rarely make headlines, but they play a central role in energy density, safety, and lifespan, all of which are critical to accelerating electric mobility and renewable energy storage.

Dendrite formation remains one of the most pressing concerns. During charging cycles, needle-like lithium structures can grow between electrodes, causing short circuits, thermal runaway, and even catastrophic battery failures. This is a critical bottleneck for next-generation, high-capacity batteries, particularly those using lithium-metal anodes.

Other key challenges include shortened battery lifespan and the persistent trade-off between safety and performance. Conventional separators often fail to block dendrite growth over extended use, leading to faster degradation, more frequent replacements, and higher lifecycle costs. At the same time, improving battery safety often comes at the expense of energy density, which limits the development of high-performance, weight-sensitive applications such as electric vehicles, drones, and portable electronics.

On the production side, manufacturing inefficiencies continue to plague the industry. Scrap rates can reach up to 40%, particularly in the delicate separator assembly stage which results in significant material losses, quality control issues, and cost overruns.

Why nanofiber-based electrode-coated separators are the future

At its core, Voltavate’s innovation consists of a nanofibre separator with direct electrode coating, addresses the industry’s most pressing issues.

“Our mission is to empower the next generation of batteries by addressing critical challenges such as safety, short cycle life, and production inefficiencies.” - CEO and Co-founder, Amir Taheri

Voltavate’s separator technology brings a new level of performance to advanced lithium-based batteries. By creating a thin, consistent separator layer with small and uniform pore sizes, between battery components, it helps lithium ions move smoothly and evenly, minimising hotspots that contribute to dendrite formation,and reducing the risk of overheating and short circuits. This not only makes batteries safer, but also helps them last longer—especially under heavy use.

Voltavate’s patent-protected manufacturing process delivers up to a 20% improvement in energy density, doubles battery lifespan, and significantly enhances thermal and mechanical safety performance. Unlike conventional ceramic-coated separators, their solution is lighter, customisable, and designed to seamlessly integrate into existing battery manufacturing lines without compromising performance.

While the company is currently focused on lithium-ion batteries, its nanofiber-based membrane technology is adaptable across a broad range of emerging battery chemistries—including lithium-sulfur, sodium-ion, and supercapacitors—as well as adjacent clean energy technologies such as fuel cells and electrolyzers. This positions Voltavate at the intersection of multiple accelerating megatrends in electrification and green hydrogen.

Scalable, Efficient, and Future-Ready Manufacturing

In addition to material innovation, Voltavate has developed a flexible and scalable manufacturing system that brings a new level of efficiency to separator production. By rethinking the way separators are fabricated, the company enables on-demand, modular manufacturing with lower material waste, reduced production costs, and a smaller equipment footprint.

This system allows manufacturers to scale production incrementally—adding capacity as needed without the complexity or expense of retooling entire production lines. The approach supports a shift toward localized, vertically integrated manufacturing, giving battery producers more control, lower supply chain risk, and higher margins.

Unlike conventional techniques, Voltavate’s process allows for the creation of multi-layer separator structures with variable thickness, porosity, and materials — all in a single, continuous process. This design flexibility opens the door to tailored performance across different battery chemistries and use cases.

Key advantages include: • Dual-side coating to increase throughput and efficiency • Customizable formats for diverse applications, including next-gen batteries • Drop-in compatibility with both current and future manufacturing technologies

By combining a unique material platform with a production process built for speed, scale, and customization, Voltavate is redefining what’s possible in battery manufacturing — and building a strong foundation for long-term competitive advantage.

The team behind the tech

Led by Dr Amir Hooshang Taheri and Omid Javadi, Voltavate is steered by founders with deep technical roots and commercialisation experience. Amir is a third-time founder, bringing over 17 years of experience in nanotechnology, with expertise in innovation, commercialisation, and startup leadership. Omid is the inventor of the core technology with over 7 years of experience in battery technology and entrepreneurship. Their leadership is further bolstered by an exceptional advisory panel that combines deep technical expertise in membrane technology with proven leadership in scaling startups and driving commercial success.

With letters of intent from major players at the forefront of batteries, hydrogen, and EVs already in hand, Voltavate is well-positioned to translate early traction into real industry deployment. As the global battery ecosystem shifts toward safer, more sustainable, and scalable technologies, Voltavate’s separators could become an enabling layer for the entire sector.

We are proud to join Voltavate on their mission to reimagine battery safety, performance, and sustainability from the inside out

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