News
With construction on track for late 2026 opening, the company is hiring and inviting expressions of interest for pilot-scale electrochemical manufacturing and testing
HAYWARD, Calif. (April 15, 2026) — The Electrochemistry Foundry (ECF), a nonprofit organization dedicated to accelerating the commercialization of advanced energy technologies, today announced its public launch. Funded by a $28 million competitive award (EPC-25-011) from the California Energy Commission (CEC), ECF is moving forward with the development of California’s first open-access, shared-use battery pilot manufacturing facility in Hayward.
ECF’s mission is to move breakthroughs from the lab to the world by providing the shared infrastructure and expertise required to fill the “missing link” in the American innovation ecosystem: the high-cost transition from laboratory research to industrial-scale production. Consider a startup developing a new battery cathode: with access to ECF’s pilot line, they can produce the first 50 multi-layer pouch cells they need to show investors without building a $10 million facility of their own.
"I’ve seen too many brilliant breakthroughs stall out in the pilot-scale gap,” said Dr. Brenna Teigler, CEO of ECF, whose background includes roles at Activate, Cyclotron Road, and the U.S. Department of Energy. "Our vision is a world powered by electrochemistry, where the path from scientific discovery to societal impact is open to all innovators. The next great battery breakthrough — whether it comes from a first-time founder or an established company testing a new chemistry — shouldn't be stopped by infrastructure they can't justify building alone."
The centerpiece of ECF’s operations is its 20,000-square-foot state-of-the-art Hayward facility, strategically located to leverage the Bay Area’s hardware engineering talent and support economic growth in a designated disadvantaged community. Scheduled for completion in late 2026, it sits in the middle of the highest concentration of electrochemistry startups, world-class academic institutions, national labs, startup accelerators, and venture capitalists in the world. The facility features a comprehensive manufacturing line with a capacity of at least 10,000 cells per year, supporting both pouch and cylindrical formats.
“We are at a historic moment in the evolution of energy technology, where laboratory breakthroughs must rapidly become industrial realities to meet California’s climate and energy goals,” said Anthony Ng, manager of technology innovation and entrepreneurship at the CEC. “Batteries play a critical role in realizing California’s vision of a 100 percent clean energy future, supporting a clean grid and electrifying transportation. The CEC’s $28 million award to ECF supports this vision by removing the capital barriers that have historically stalled battery innovation, ensuring California remains the global hub for the entire lifecycle of electrochemical development."
As a nonprofit with no commercial stake in the technologies developed within its walls, ECF operates as a fully IP-neutral resource. Its users retain complete ownership of their intellectual property, eliminating the conflicts of interest that can complicate partnerships with for-profit contract manufacturers or corporate innovation programs. This open-access model is supported by industrial-grade capabilities including precision electrode fabrication and advanced cell assembly in a high-spec dry room, formation and performance validation systems, and the data infrastructure to link raw materials directly to electrochemical results. Together, these resources allow startups and researchers to refine processes, produce industry-ready products, and prepare for high-volume production.
The project is a collaborative effort involving a robust network of partners, including the Volta Foundation, UC Riverside, UC Berkeley, UC Santa Barbara, Catalyst Innovation Group, and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. Additionally, ECF will onshore world-class manufacturing expertise from South Korea, through dedicated operational support from Top Material, an industry leader in operating flexible Li-ion manufacturing lines.
"The future of the battery industry depends on our ability to scale both innovation and the workforce supporting it," said Yen T. Yeh, executive director of the Volta Foundation. "ECF’s approach brings those together, and Volta Foundation is proud to partner in supporting workforce development that will enable the next generation of battery manufacturing."
As a cornerstone of the state’s electrification vision, ECF is also committed to community-focused workforce development. In partnership with the Bay Area Community College Consortium and United Steelworkers, ECF will provide hands-on training that prepares the local workforce for high-skill careers in the energy and advanced manufacturing sectors.
ECF is hiring and accepting expressions of interest from startups, researchers, and companies seeking pilot-scale electrochemical manufacturing and testing capacity. The facility is expected to welcome its first users in the first quarter of 2027. For more information, visit www.ecfoundry.org.
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About Electrochemistry Foundry (ECF): The Electrochemistry Foundry (ECF) is a California-based nonprofit organization established to provide the physical and intellectual infrastructure required to accelerate technological innovation. By operating California’s first shared-use battery pilot manufacturing line (CEC Award EPC-25-011), ECF helps innovators de-risk commercialization, supports domestic industrial growth, and secures the technological foundations of the modern economy.
Media Contact:
Whitney McGoram
McGoram Consulting