Chicago Construction News staff writer
Bedrock Materials, a pioneering battery technology startup has announced a plan to build a research & development (R&D) headquarters in Chicago. The company plans to expand its R&D and manufacturing footprint in Illinois, after it recently closed $9 million in seed funding.
The company, originated out of Stanford University, designs and manufactures engineered electrode materials that allow battery makers to produce SIB at scale.
“The choice to come to Chicago was an easy one,” said Spencer Gore, CEO of Bedrock Materials. “There is arguably one active laboratory in America that has produced a successful automotive battery chemistry, and it’s here.
“Argonne National Laboratory wrote the book on modern sodium-ion technology. Today, pulling on the deep regional talent pool they have built, we are excited to perfect and scale it.”
The announcement comes on the heels of Illinois’ inaugural EV Industry Day, where industry stakeholders and thought leaders came together to advance the adoption and production of EVs in Illinois. Bedrock was part of a panel on developing an EV supply chain.
With its commitment to investing $2.5 million and adding at least 25 jobs, Bedrock will receive Reimagining Energy and Vehicles (REV) incentives from DCEO. REV provides competitive incentives for EV, solar, renewable and energy storage manufacturers to move or expand in Illinois. A link to the executed REV agreement can be found here.
“On behalf of Chicago’s residents and businesses, I extend a sincere welcome and congratulations to Bedrock Materials for choosing our city as the location for its Research & Development headquarters,” said Mayor Brandon Johnson. “This decision reflects the strength of Chicago’s talent pool, our esteemed research and academic institutions, and the vibrant tech ecosystem emerging here.
“We look forward to the positive impact Bedrock Materials will have on our city’s growing tech sector.”
Bedrock will be located at mHUB, the hardtech incubator in Chicago.
