In 2023, Mana Battery pursued anode-free sodium batteries; in 2026, it raised $10.15 million to build a China-independent supply chain

An alternative to conventional lithium-ion batteries is being designed by Mana Battery. Notably, it has raised $10.15 in seed funding to advance its anode-free sodium-ion battery technology. The US startup wants to develop batteries using materials that are more widely available and reduce dependence on Chinese suppliers.

Founded in 2023, the Colorado-based company is led by co-founder and CEO Tyler Evans. The latest funding round was led by Voyager Ventures, with participation from Union Square Ventures and Buff Gold Ventures, according to The Wall Street Journal. The financing includes about $1.85 million in grants and other non-dilutive funding, the company's total financing to $14.1 million.

What are they trying to develop?

They are working on sodium-ion batteries that do not require conventional anode active material when the cells are assembled. Instead, a sodium anode forms during the batter's initial operation.


Most lithium-ion batteries use lithium-based chemistry, while conventional sodium-ion batteries use sodium. Sodium is widely available and can help reliance on materials such as lithium, cobalt and nickel.

China-independent supply chain

China is one of the biggest players on the global stage when it comes to the battery industry, which creates supply-chain concerns for countries that want to expand domestic battery manufacturing.

Mana's goal is to develop technology that can use a supply chain based on materials available in the US and allied countries.

However, developing a battery with less dependence on critical minerals does not automatically create a fully independent supply chain. Manufacturing capacity, suppliers and production costs will also determine whether the company can achieve that goal.

How will the funding be used?

The company plans to advance its technology towards commercial use and work with established battery manufacturers rather than depend entirely on building its own large-scale cell manufacturing facilities.

In August 2026, Mana announced a joint development agreement with Saft, a battery company owned by TotalEnergies. The companies plan to develop, test and validate anode-free sodium-ion cells for applications including defence, aerospace, rail, data centres and industrial backup power.

Mana has shipped battery-cell prototypes to manufacturers and potential customers for evaluation, Evans told The Wall Street Journal. These included companies in the automotive and defence sectors, as well as the US Army.

The company has also signed conditional memorandums of understanding that Evans said could lead to more than $100 million in annual sales agreements for its electrolyte by 2029. These are potential future sales, not confirmed revenue already earned.