StorEn Technologies
[Closed for Investment] StorEn Technologies, with a valuation of $59.98 million, is raising funds on StartEngine. The company has developed a patent-pending all-vanadium battery technology that promises to provide affordable and long-lasting energy storage. StorEn Technologies’ proprietary technology assures efficient, cost-effective, and durable batteries. The company has four patents extended internationally and will be the first company to offer a residential Vanadium Flow Battery, with shipments starting in 2024. Angelo D’Anzi founded StorEn Technologies in January 2017. The current crowdfunding campaign has a minimum target of $9,996.48 and a maximum target of $3.6 million. The campaign proceeds will be used for company employment, operations, and inventory.
Investment Overview
Raised: $959,562
Deal Terms
Company & Team
Company
- Year Founded
- 2017
- Industry
- Consumer Products, Goods & Services
- Tech Sector
- Distribution Model
- B2B/B2C
- Margin
- Medium
- Capital Intensity
- High
Upgrade to gain access
-
$12.50 /month
billed annually - Free portfolio tracking, data-driven ratings, AI analysis and reports
- Plan Includes:
- Everything in Free, plus
- Company specific Kingscrowd ratings and analyst reports
- Deal explorer and side-by-side comparison
- Startup exit and failure tracking
- Startup market filters and historical industry data
- Advanced company search ( with ratings)
- Get Edge Annual
Edge
Synopsis
StorEn Technologies specializes in renewable energy storage solutions. The company has developed a patented all-vanadium battery technology designed to provide cost-effective and long-lasting energy storage. StorEn Technologies aims to be the first to offer residential Vanadium Flow Batteries, with shipments expected to begin in 2024. The primary customers include residential users, utility companies, and participants in the Investor Purchase Program.
The company addresses the critical issue of energy storage in the renewable energy sector. Traditional lithium-ion batteries, while commonly used, suffer from limitations such as shorter lifespans, higher costs over time, and safety concerns. These issues are particularly problematic for large-scale energy storage solutions required by utility companies and residential users looking for reliable backup power.
StorEn Technologies offers a solution with its all-vanadium flow batteries, which promise enhanced durability and cost-efficiency. The technology is designed to handle more charge-discharge cycles than lithium-ion batteries, making it suitable for long-term energy storage needs. Additionally, the batteries are 100% recyclable, addressing environmental concerns associated with battery disposal.
Consider the common experience of a homeowner dealing with frequent power outages. Traditional backup solutions like diesel generators are noisy, environmentally unfriendly, and costly to operate. Lithium-ion batteries, while quieter and cleaner, may require frequent replacements and come with safety risks. StorEn Technologies’ vanadium flow batteries offer a quieter, safer, and more sustainable alternative that can provide consistent power over extended periods, making them a practical choice for households and utility companies alike.
Price
StorEn Technologies is offering Common Equity in its current fundraising round. The company is valued at approximately $60 million pre-money, with a price per share set at $7.12. This valuation reflects a revenue multiple of 1,727.46x, given the company's annual revenue of $34.7k for the most recent fiscal year. This high multiple suggests that the company is overvalued.
Investing in common equity means that investors will own a portion of the company proportional to their investment. Unlike preferred equity, common equity does not provide preferential treatment in terms of dividends or liquidation preferences. However, it does offer voting rights, allowing investors to have a say in company decisions.
For StorEn Technologies to provide a 10x return to investors, the company would need to achieve a post-exit valuation of approximately $600 million. This significant increase would likely require substantial growth in both revenue and market adoption of its vanadium flow battery technology. Achieving such a valuation would necessitate capturing a considerable share of the global redox flow battery market, which is projected to grow at a 22.8% CAGR, reaching $805 million by 2028.
To reach a valuation that could provide a 10x return, StorEn Technologies would need to address several key factors: expanding its customer base, scaling production efficiently, and securing strategic partnerships or contracts with utility companies and other large-scale energy storage users. Additionally, the company would need to demonstrate consistent revenue growth and operational profitability to attract higher valuations in future funding rounds or potential acquisition offers.
Market
The global redox flow battery market, which is the primary addressable market for StorEn Technologies, was valued at $289 million in 2023 and is projected to grow to $805 million by 2028, representing a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 22.8%. This substantial growth is driven by several key market drivers and trends.
One significant driver is the increasing penetration of renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind, which necessitate efficient and long-term energy storage solutions. The integration of renewable energy into the power grid requires storage systems that can balance supply and demand, thereby ensuring a stable and reliable energy supply. StorEn Technologies’ vanadium flow batteries, designed for long-term storage and high cycle life, are well-positioned to benefit from this trend.
Government policies and initiatives aimed at modernizing power grids and reducing carbon emissions are also propelling market growth. Legislation like the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and various infrastructure bills are likely to stimulate investments in advanced energy storage technologies, including redox flow batteries. These initiatives create a favorable regulatory environment that could enhance market adoption of StorEn Technologies' solutions.
However, the market also presents challenges. The high extraction cost of vanadium, a critical component of StorEn Technologies' batteries, could impact the cost competitiveness of their products. Additionally, the rise of hybrid flow batteries, which offer higher energy density at potentially lower costs, introduces competition that could affect market share.
StorEn Technologies targets both the residential and utility sectors, which allows the company to address a broad segment of the market. The residential market is particularly relevant for homeowners seeking reliable and sustainable backup power solutions. In contrast, the utility sector requires large-scale storage systems to support grid stability and integrate renewable energy sources. The company's ability to cater to both segments enhances its market potential.
In summary, the global redox flow battery market offers significant growth opportunities for StorEn Technologies, driven by the increasing adoption of renewable energy and supportive government policies. However, the company must navigate challenges such as high material costs and competition from other battery technologies to capitalize on this market potential.
Team
StorEn Technologies is led by a team with diverse expertise and substantial experience in the energy storage and technology sectors. The key team members include Chief Executive Officer John Davis, Founder and Chief Technology Officer Angelo D'Anzi, Chief Financial Officer Davide Biggi, and Vice President of Marketing Jessica Ann.
John Davis, the CEO, brings over 28 years of executive-level experience in sales and business development, particularly in emerging technology solutions for the telecommunications and utilities industries. His background includes roles at several flow battery and fuel cell companies, such as ZincNyx, RedFlow LTD, and VRB Power. Davis’s experience in overseeing the sales and delivery of the first flow battery installed at a telecom site and his role in standardizing hydrogen fuel cells for backup power highlight his capability to drive StorEn Technologies' market penetration and strategic partnerships.
Angelo D'Anzi, the Founder and CTO, has been with StorEn Technologies since its inception in 2017. He is primarily responsible for the technical development of the company's products. D'Anzi also serves as a director at Arco Fuel Cells S.r.l., where he oversees fuel cell technical development activities. His expertise in energy storage technologies and his role in securing four international patents for StorEn Technologies underscore his critical contribution to the company's innovative product offerings.
Davide Biggi, the CFO, has 15 years of experience in financial planning and management. He has specialized skills in drafting business plans for raising capital, preparing financial plans for public fund collection, and managing corporate tax planning and treasury. Biggi’s experience in financial management and capital raising is essential for StorEn Technologies as it seeks to secure funding for growth and expansion.
Jessica Ann, the VP of Marketing, has been instrumental in building the StorEn brand since 2017. She oversees all marketing and social media aspects of the company and works closely with media outlets. Ann’s role is crucial for increasing brand awareness and driving customer acquisition, which are vital for the company’s growth strategy.
The skills and experience of the StorEn Technologies team align well with the company’s goals of developing and commercializing durable, cost-effective energy storage solutions. However, there are potential gaps in the team, particularly in scaling production and operations. As the company moves towards large-scale manufacturing and market expansion, expertise in supply chain management and large-scale production could be critical for achieving future milestones.
Differentiation
StorEn Technologies operates in a competitive landscape with several notable players in the vanadium flow battery space. Key competitors include Redflow, Forever Energy, and VFlowTech. These companies also focus on developing and commercializing energy storage solutions using vanadium flow battery technology.
Redflow is an established competitor known for its zinc-bromine flow batteries. The company targets similar markets, including residential, commercial, and utility sectors. Redflow's batteries are priced competitively, but they offer a different chemical composition, which may impact performance and lifecycle compared to StorEn Technologies' vanadium-based solutions.
Forever Energy focuses on providing residential and commercial energy storage solutions. Their 10kWh residential battery is priced around $10k, which is lower than StorEn Technologies' projected pricing of $30k-$40k for a similar capacity. However, it appears that Forever Energy is still in the process of scaling production, which might affect their market availability and customer adoption rates.
VFlowTech offers a range of vanadium flow batteries with capacities ranging from 30kWh to 500kWh. Their products are modular and scalable, catering to both residential and utility-scale applications. VFlowTech's pricing and product quality are competitive, posing a direct challenge to StorEn Technologies, especially in large-scale projects.
StorEn Technologies differentiates itself through its focus on delivering a cost-effective and durable solution with a longer lifespan and higher cycle life compared to traditional lithium-ion batteries. The company’s four international patents provide a degree of defensibility and assurance of technological innovation. Additionally, StorEn Technologies aims to be the first to market with a residential vanadium flow battery, giving it a potential first-mover advantage in this segment.
The target customer demographics for StorEn Technologies include environmentally conscious homeowners seeking sustainable and reliable energy storage solutions. This group values long-term cost savings, safety, and environmental impact. Additionally, the company targets utility companies and large-scale energy storage projects that require robust, scalable, and efficient energy storage systems to support grid stability and integrate renewable energy sources.
In summary, while StorEn Technologies faces competition from established players like Redflow, Forever Energy, and VFlowTech, its focus on patented technology, product durability, and targeting both residential and utility markets provides a distinct differentiation. The company’s ability to address both small-scale residential needs and large-scale utility requirements positions it well within the growing energy storage market.
Performance
StorEn Technologies has experienced fluctuating financial performance over the past few years. The company's annual revenue for 2023 was $34.7k, marking a modest increase from $0 in 2021 and 2022. However, this level of revenue is relatively low, especially given the company's valuation and growth aspirations.
The most recent monthly burn rate is approximately $110k, indicating the company's operational expenses. With cash and cash equivalents totaling $1.8 million at the end of2023, StorEn Technologies has a runway of about 16 months starting December 2023 at the current burn rate. This limited runway underscores the importance of achieving revenue growth and securing additional funding to sustain operations and scale production.
In terms of growth metrics, StorEn Technologies has made some progress in product development and customer acquisition. The company is currently building systems for its Investor Purchase Program participants and expects to deliver trial systems to the telecom industry in 2024. Additionally, StorEn Technologies has secured four international patents, providing a degree of defensibility for its technology.
Despite these advancements, the company has faced challenges in achieving significant revenue growth. The performance over the past few years reflects a slow ramp-up in sales, with revenue figures demonstrating incremental rather than exponential growth. This trend suggests that while the technology has potential, market adoption and scaling have been slower than anticipated.
StorEn Technologies has raised over $10.9 million from more than 8,000 investors to date, indicating strong investor interest and confidence in the company's vision. However, the company will need to demonstrate tangible progress in revenue generation and market penetration to justify its valuation and attract future investment.
Risk
Investing in StorEn Technologies involves several specific risks that potential investors should consider carefully. The company operates in the renewable energy storage sector, which, while promising, faces unique challenges and uncertainties.
One significant risk factor is the high revenue multiple of 1,727.46x. This indicates that the current valuation is heavily based on future growth expectations rather than present financial performance. If the company fails to meet its growth targets, the valuation could be seen as overly optimistic, leading to potential devaluation.
Another concern is the competitive landscape. StorEn Technologies contends with numerous competitors, including Redflow, Forever Energy, VFlowTech, and VSun Energy, all of which are working on similar vanadium flow battery technology. The presence of established players in the market heightens the competition risk, particularly in achieving market penetration and customer acquisition.
The part-time role of Founder and CTO Angelo D'Anzi could also be a potential risk. Part-time leadership might limit the company's ability to execute its strategic initiatives swiftly and efficiently, which is critical in a rapidly evolving sector like renewable energy storage.
The company's financial health poses additional risks. StorEn Technologies reported an annual revenue of only $34.7k for the most recent fiscal year, which is low compared to its high valuation. This gap suggests a need for significant revenue growth to justify the current valuation. Additionally, the company has accumulated a net income loss of $1.4 million in the most recent fiscal year, indicating ongoing financial challenges.
The extended timeline for scaling production is another risk factor. While the technology does not require a long time to build, scaling production to meet market demand is a complex and time-consuming process. Delays in scaling could impact the company's ability to generate revenue and achieve profitability.
Lastly, StorEn Technologies is still pre-profit, adding another layer of financial risk. The company's ability to transition from a pre-profit to a profitable stage will be critical for its long-term sustainability and success. Investors should closely monitor the company's progress in achieving key milestones and revenue targets.
Bullish Outlook
StorEn Technologies is well-positioned in the renewable energy storage market. The company’s focus on vanadium flow battery technology, which offers longer lifespans and higher cycle life compared to lithium-ion batteries, gives it a competitive edge. StorEn also holds four international patents, enhancing its market defensibility and credibility. Additionally, it aims to be the first to market with a residential vanadium flow battery, positioning itself to capture early market share in this growing segment.
The company has raised over $10.9 million from more than 8,000 investors, reflecting strong confidence in its vision and potential. StorEn is currently building systems for its Investor Purchase Program and expects to deliver trial systems to the telecom industry in 2024. These partnerships and achievements provide a solid foundation for future growth and expansion in the energy storage space.
Looking ahead, StorEn's plans to expand into both residential and utility markets enable it to address a broad customer base. The rising need for grid stability and renewable energy integration will likely drive demand for efficient energy storage solutions. StorEn’s innovative approach, particularly its focus on residential vanadium flow batteries, sets it apart from competitors and positions it for future success.
Bearish Outlook
Several factors contribute to a bearish outlook for StorEn Technologies, despite growth in the global redox flow battery market. The company faces challenges, such as overvaluation and raising funds at a down round, which could hinder its growth. Additionally, competition from established players like Tesla, whose lithium storage solutions are widely adopted, poses a significant threat.
StorEn’s financial health is also concerning, with just $34.7k in annual revenue compared to a monthly burn rate of $110k. This imbalance between revenue and operational costs highlights difficulties in achieving profitability, casting doubt on the company’s ability to sustain long-term growth.
Further growth inhibitors include technological and regulatory hurdles, such as high vanadium extraction costs and potential regulatory changes, which could affect product adoption. Combined with the company's high valuation, these factors may deter investors who are seeking more balanced risk-reward opportunities, especially in a competitive market where significant marketing and sales efforts are needed to expand the customer base.
Executive Summary
StorEn Technologies develops renewable energy storage solutions, specializing in vanadium flow batteries for residential users, utility companies, and participants in its Investor Purchase Program. The company’s patented technology offers longer lifespans and higher cycle life compared to traditional lithium-ion batteries. However, StorEn is overvalued; to achieve a 10x return, it would need a post-exit valuation of around $600 million, requiring substantial revenue growth and market penetration.
The global redox flow battery market, valued at $289 million in 2023 and projected to grow to $805 million by 2028, is small but expanding. Growth drivers include the increasing adoption of renewable energy and government policies to modernize power grids. However, high material costs and competition from hybrid flow batteries pose challenges to StorEn’s market share. Despite incremental growth, StorEn reported just $34.7k in annual revenue, with a monthly burn rate of $110k.
StorEn also faces a competitive landscape with rivals such as Redflow, Forever Energy, and VFlowTech, who are well-positioned in the market. Key risks include the company’s high valuation, limited revenue, and the part-time involvement of its founder. These factors, along with its pre-profit status, could deter potential investors.
Despite these challenges, StorEn’s patented technology and ability to target both residential and utility markets present growth opportunities. The company is well-positioned to address key needs in renewable energy storage, but achieving its ambitious targets will require overcoming significant financial and competitive pressures. Investors must carefully weigh the company’s growth potential against the risks associated with its high valuation and current financial health.
Disclaimer
The AI-enhanced analyst reports ("AI reports") provided by Kingscrowd are experimental in nature and may exhibit certain limitations and uncertainties. These reports are generated in part or in whole by artificial intelligence algorithms, which have the potential to hallucinate (e.g. generate fictitious information), interpret data incorrectly, omit information, or reference sources of data that may contain inaccuracies.
While we strive to provide reliable and accurate information, it is essential to understand that the AI reports should not be solely relied upon as the basis for making investment decisions. We strongly advise all users to exercise caution, conduct thorough due diligence, and verify data and facts independently before making any investment decisions.
The AI reports are intended to serve as one of the tools in your investment research process, offering additional insights and perspectives, and exposing more of our dataset to customers by transforming that data into natural language. They should be used in conjunction with other sources of information and professional judgment. Kingscrowd does not assume any liability for the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the AI reports or any investment decisions made based on them.
Investing in startups and early-stage companies involves inherent risks, and it is essential to consult with qualified professionals and seek independent financial advice before making any investment decisions.
By accessing and using the AI reports, you acknowledge and accept the experimental nature of this feature and agree to use it at your own risk.
Please note that this disclaimer may be subject to updates and revisions as we continue to enhance our AI algorithms and improve the accuracy and reliability of the generated reports.
Company Funding & Growth
Funding history
- Total Prior Capital Raised
- $10,935,220
- VC Backed?
- Yes
Close Date | Platform | Valuation | Total Raised | Security Type | Status | Reg Type |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
11/04/2024 | StartEngine | $59,984,469 | $959,562 | Equity - Common | Funded | RegCF |
04/30/2023 | StartEngine | $60,172,534 | $1,374,076 | Equity - Common | Funded | RegCF |
12/30/2021 | StartEngine | $40,400,000 | $8,657,825 | Equity - Common | Funded | RegA+ |
03/15/2020 | StartEngine | $28,100,000 | $1,062,814 | Equity - Common | Funded | RegCF |
01/08/2019 | StartEngine | $25,904,060 | $659,824 | Equity - Common | Funded | RegCF |
Growth Charts
Revenue History
Note: Revenue data points reflect the latest of either the most recent fiscal year's financials, or updated revenues directly from the founder, at each raise's close date.
Valuation History
Price per Share History
Note: Share prices shown in earlier rounds may not be indicative of any stock splits.