NanoGraf, a Chicago-based leader in advanced battery materials, was recently named one of the top greentech companies in the world by TIME Magazine.
NanoGraf, a TechNexus Venture Collaborative portfolio company, ranked No. 51 on TIME’s list of America’s Top GreenTech Companies for 2025, cementing its significant impact in the clean technology sector.
TIME, in collaboration with Statista, evaluated over 8,000 companies across 30 countries. The assessment criteria included positive environmental impact, financial strength and innovation. NanoGraf’s inclusion highlights its commitment to revolutionizing energy storage solutions.
Founded in 2012 as a spinout of Northwestern University and Argonne National Laboratory, NanoGraf specializes in silicon anode technology for lithium-ion batteries. Its flagship product, Onyx™, enhances battery energy density by 30% compared to traditional graphite anodes, offering improved performance for applications ranging from consumer electronics to electric vehicles.
In 2024, NanoGraf received a $60 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy to establish a silicon anode material production facility in Flint, Michigan. This plant is projected to produce enough material annually to power 1.5 million electric vehicles, bolstering the domestic battery supply chain.
NanoGraf's recent achievements also include the successful completion of UL1642 and IEC62133 certifications for its 3.8Ah 18650 cell, marking it as the world's most energy-dense 18650 lithium-ion cell. These certifications pave the way for mass production, enhancing battery performance across various sectors. NanoGraf's technology powers critical defense equipment, including tactical handheld radios, enabling longer missions without the need for larger, heavier batteries.
NanoGraf’s inclusion in TIME’s list places the company alongside some of the biggest names in green technology, such as battery-powered aircraft maker BETA Technologies, carbon capture technology Climeworks, and Impossible Foods.
As the demand for cleaner, more efficient energy storage solutions grows, NanoGraf’s innovations in battery technology are positioned to play a key role in the global transition to a more sustainable and electrified future.