CHICAGO (BRAIN)—AllCell Technologies, a Chicago start-up manufacturing lithium-ion batteries for e-bikes, has landed a $460,433 grant from the state to expand its production capacity.
The grant, which is matched by investment firm Townsend Capital, will allow AllCell to increase its production capacity by 10 times at its facility in Chicago’s Back of the Yards neighborhood. It will also support installation of an array of solar panels on the building’s roof, as well as weatherizing and energy efficiency improvements.
AllCell has been working on prototypes for the past few years, but released its first production battery earlier this year and showed it at Interbike. The lithium-ion battery cells are encased in a graphite/wax material that conducts heat away from the battery, doubling its life. AllCell is currently working with four e-bike OEs, and also makes batteries for electric scooters and other light electric vehicles. That business makes up about 50 percent of total sales, and is growing.
AllCell co-founder and CEO Said Al-Hallaj, said the state’s support was well-timed.
“We recently transitioned from developing our technology to building and selling commercial battery packs for e-bikes, e-scooters, and smart grid energy storage. The market response to our products has been incredibly enthusiastic, and this funding will allow us to grow our business much more rapidly than we would have been able to on our own, while simultaneously reducing our energy bills and carbon footprint,” he said.
