The global energy transition cannot happen without batteries. Yet, conventional technology faces fundamental constraints, including a reliance on scarce raw materials, long charging times, and complex recycling challenges. In an episode of “NextIn Business,” supported by Deep Tech Nation Switzerland and the Gebert Rüf Stiftung, Swiss deep tech startups demonstrate how they are “reinventing” the battery to solve these problems.

Martin Bütikofer, Director of the Swiss Museum of Transport, provides historical context from the seat of one of Switzerland’s first electric vehicles, built in 1912. He notes that Switzerland’s primary resource “is not resources in the ground, but brains, clever people”. This intellectual capital is now being applied to energy storage. Neel Jani, a professional racing driver, confirms that motorsport serves as a high-speed testbed, pushing developers to solve critical issues like charging efficiency and heat management.

One of the country’s most promising innovations comes from BTRY, an Empa and ETH Zurich spin-off. Led by CEO Moritz Futscher, BTRY has developed ultra-thin, solid-state batteries that charge in just one minute. These batteries contain no liquids, making them safer and more durable. Crucially, they are built to operate safely at temperatures up to 150°C, where conventional cells fail. BTRY furthermore recently raised $5.7M in an oversubscribed seed round.

BTRY’s innovation stems from a new manufacturing process borrowed from the semiconductor industry, which allows for precise, ultra-thin layering. This approach targets high-tech sensors and medical devices. The company’s technology was recently validated by a $5.7 million seed funding round, co-led by Redstone VC, to accelerate its path to industrialization.

While BTRY develops new battery formats, other startups focus on the circular economy. Modual, co-founded by Philipp Strüby, addresses the pressing challenge of battery retirement. The company gives used batteries from electric vehicles, such as postal scooters, a “second life”. “We take these batteries, refurbish them, reassemble them, and use them to create an energy storage system,” Strüby explains. These repurposed systems are ideal for stationary applications, such as in homes with solar panels, storing energy during the day to be used at night. Modual’s ambitious vision is to ensure that “every battery can be reused”.

This two-pronged approach, which combines new manufacturing paradigms with circular economy principles, exemplifies Switzerland’s deep tech strategy. As Futscher notes, his team is “in the right place at the right time” as sensors and electronics become smaller and smarter. By questioning fundamental assumptions rather than just incrementally improving old designs, Swiss innovators are developing specialized, high-value solutions to power the energy transition, but creates genuinely sustainable solutions for the future.