TaiSan raises £4.65m to scale sodium-ion batteries for e-bikes and micromobility

UK battery technology company TaiSan has raised £4.65 million to accelerate the development of sodium-ion batteries for mass-market applications including electric bikes, scooters, vehicles and power tools.

The seed round was co-led by Eos Advisory and the Midlands Engine Investment Fund II, through fund manager Mercia Ventures. AFI Ventures, EverQuest Capital Partners, Adeline Arts & Science, Techmind, angel François Badelon and existing investors InnoEnergy, TSP Ventures, Exergon and Heartfelt also participated.

Innovate UK contributed £700,000 through its Investor Partnerships Programme, matching part of the private investment.

TaiSan said the funding will support further technology development and pilot tests with leading manufacturers. The company has also signed a number of letters of intent with prospective customers, pointing to early commercial interest.

The company is aiming to address concerns around the cost and scarcity of lithium used in conventional batteries. Sodium, one of the most abundant elements on Earth, is seen as a potential alternative, but sodium-ion batteries have typically been too large and heavy for wider mobility use.

TaiSan says its technology can deliver lighter and more compact batteries than existing sodium-ion and lithium-ion alternatives. The batteries use the company’s proprietary solid-state electrolyte, which is designed for long service life and improved safety compared with conventional flammable liquid electrolytes.

Founded by Sanzhar Taizhan, a former research electrochemist at Jaguar Land Rover and The Faraday Institution, TaiSan has previously secured multiple innovation grants and raised £1.3 million in pre-seed funding.

Following the latest round, the business plans to expand its Cambridge laboratory and establish manufacturing operations in Coventry.

Sanzhar Taizhan, founder and CEO of TaiSan, said: “Today’s micromobility industry deserves a battery technology designed for tomorrow. At TaiSan, we’re working with forward-thinking bike and scooter manufacturers and operators to bring next-generation sodium batteries into the streets.

“Our vision is to make electric mobility efficient, safer and more sustainable. If you’re looking to build products that define the future of the industry, let’s start the conversation. The next chapter of battery innovation is just getting started.”

Shubham Jaipuria of Mercia Ventures added: “With a growing battery market, manufacturers are seeking alternative technologies with a more reliable supply chain. TaiSan is well placed to capitalise on this. We believe its innovations will enable widespread take-up of sodium-ion batteries and make them a genuine alternative to standard batteries for many day-to-day applications.”

Andrew Durkie, partner at Eos Advisory, said: “We are delighted to co-lead this round and support Sanzhar and the TaiSan team as they take this exciting technology to market. Advances in sodium battery technology promise a credible and cost-effective alternative to lithium batteries, while addressing supply chain and safety concerns.”

Bethan Bannister, senior investment manager at the British Business Bank, said: “The Midlands Engine Investment Fund II is proud to support companies such as TaiSan, which has identified a gap in the market and is developing solutions to address it. This recent investment will enable the pilot collaborations and product testing, helping to validate the concept.”