In a major boost to India’s deep-tech ecosystem, Bengaluru-based battery technology startup Volt14 has raised $1.87 million in its pre-Series A funding round. The investment was led by Blume Ventures, with participation from Beyond Next Ventures, Spectrum Impact, Supermorpheus, and returning backer Cocoon Capital. With this round, Volt14’s total funding now stands at $4.02 million.

But behind these numbers is a story of relentless ambition to rewire the future of energy.

Founded in 2019 by Animesh Kumar Jha, Volt14 is not just another battery startup. It is part of a global race to solve one of the biggest challenges in clean energy—how to make lithium-ion batteries last longer, charge faster, and store more power. The company’s approach? A deep dive into silicon-based anode materials, which have long promised breakthroughs but come with significant technical hurdles.

Traditional lithium-ion batteries use graphite anodes, but replacing them with silicon—or even blending in more silicon—can dramatically increase energy density. However, silicon tends to swell and crack during charging cycles, which reduces battery life. Volt14 claims to have cracked that challenge with proprietary technology that boosts silicon content without sacrificing performance.

Its in-house cylindrical battery cell prototype, built using this technology, showcases what could be a leap forward in energy storage. The startup’s innovation is already drawing attention, as multiple battery manufacturers are evaluating Volt14’s technology.

Now, with fresh capital in hand, the startup is gearing up to scale manufacturing and expand its team, a crucial step as the world races toward electrification.

The timing couldn’t be better. The global lithium-ion battery market is expected to cross $300 billion by 2034, thanks to the rapid adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) and grid-scale energy storage.

Blume Ventures’ involvement also signals confidence. The VC firm was an early backer of Battery Smart, now one of the most well-funded players in the battery-swapping space. Their support of Volt14 suggests they’re betting big on India’s battery tech future.

For founder Animesh Jha and his growing team, the road ahead is both electric and demanding—but with momentum like this, Volt14 might just help power the next era of clean technology.