IAN Group has led a ₹27.4 crore seed funding round in e-TRNL Energy, a Bengaluru-based clean technology startup working on next-generation battery cell innovation. The investment was made through IAN’s second venture capital fund, IAN Alpha Fund. Other participants in the round include Navam Capital and Speciale Invest, along with additional investors.
Founded in 2021 by Apoorv Shaligram and Dr. Uttam Kumar Sen, e-TRNL Energy focuses on redesigning battery cell architecture and manufacturing processes. The founders bring strong technical experience. Apoorv has more than ten years of work in lithium-ion research, EV battery design, and cell fabrication. Dr. Sen, who holds a PhD in Energy Science and Engineering, is an experienced battery researcher with over 2,700 academic citations and deep expertise in lithium-ion materials and cell development.
Unlike many global battery companies that concentrate on small chemistry improvements within traditional cell formats, e-TRNL Energy is rethinking the core structure of the battery cell. The company says its new architecture reduces heat generation, improves safety, allows faster charging, extends battery life, and increases energy density. At the same time, it aims to make manufacturing more cost-effective by redesigning both the cell and the equipment needed to produce it.
The fresh capital will be used to complete product development, validate performance and safety standards, and demonstrate manufacturing capability within India. The company has already established a 20,000 square foot research and early manufacturing facility in Bengaluru. It has secured two patents for its battery cell design and filed additional patent applications.
e-TRNL Energy plans to set up a 250 MWh pilot manufacturing facility by 2027. Over time, this facility is expected to scale up to 2 GWh capacity. Its first commercial product will use Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) chemistry. The company also plans to develop LMFP and sodium-ion battery technologies in the future. It intends to supply battery cells to manufacturers serving electric mobility and energy storage markets.
India’s battery demand is rising rapidly due to growth in electric vehicles and renewable energy. However, the country still depends heavily on imported battery cells and equipment, creating supply risks and higher costs. The Indian battery cell market is projected to reach nearly 400 GWh annually by 2035. e-TRNL Energy aims to build an indigenous battery cell design and manufacturing platform to reduce imports and strengthen India’s position in advanced energy storage.
Discover more from SolarQuarter
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
