The renewable energy industry has made massive strides in the last decade, but one major issue still holds it back: energy storage. While solar and wind energy are sustainable, they’re also inconsistent, meaning energy isn’t always available when needed. Meanwhile, lithium-ion and lead-acid batteries have short lifespans, environmental concerns, and declining efficiency over time. That’s the problem VFlowTech by Avishek and Arjun set out to solve.
Founded in 2018 by Avishek Kumar (Co-Founder & CEO) and Arjun Bhattarai (Co-Founder & CTO), this Singapore-based deep tech startup specializes in vanadium redox flow battery (VRFB) systems, a long-duration energy storage solution that’s safe, scalable, and sustainable.
And now, with over 10 countries using VFlowTech’s systems and a recent $20.5M funding round, they’re pushing the boundaries of clean energy innovation. 🚀
The Renewable Storage Problem & Why Lithium-ion Isn’t Enough?
- Lithium-ion batteries degrade: Their performance declines over time, making them unsuitable for long-duration storage.
- Toxic waste & environmental harm: Lithium mining has major ecological impacts, unlike vanadium-based alternatives.
- Heat sensitivity issues: Lithium-ion struggles in tropical climates and faces overheating risks.
Meanwhile, traditional vanadium redox flow batteries, while promising, have had their issues:
❌ Expensive production costs
❌ High parasitic losses
❌ Poor efficiency in real-world applications
This is where VFlowTech’s proprietary technology changes the game. 🚀
How VFlowTech is Making Vanadium Flow Batteries Better?
VFlowTech is revolutionizing energy storage with its next-gen Vanadium Redox Flow Battery (VRFB) system, known as PowerCubes, which are designed for high-efficiency, long-duration storage. Unlike conventional batteries, PowerCubes boast a compact Power Stack design, maximizing energy density while minimizing space usage.
Their round-trip efficiency surpasses industry standards, ensuring minimal energy loss during storage cycles. Another standout feature is their ability to operate in extreme temperatures exceeding 55°C, making them ideal for tropical climates where lithium batteries struggle.
Beyond performance, PowerCubes are highly versatile, easily deployable across residential areas, solar and wind farms, and large-scale energy projects, offering scalable and sustainable energy storage solutions worldwide. 🔋🚀
Unlike legacy vanadium flow batteries, PowerCubes are cost-effective, scalable, and adaptable, marking a breakthrough for energy storage worldwide. ⚡🌎
From NTU Spin-off to Global Cleantech Leader: VFlowTech’s Journey
📌 May 2018: Founded as an NTU spin-off, building on 7 years of R&D in stack design, chemical engineering & energy management systems (EMS).
📌 May 2019: Secured a S$250K grant from Temasek Foundation + first angel investment.
📌 Aug 2020: Launched 30KWh and 100KWh PowerCube systems + first microgrid setup in Singapore.
📌 Aug 2021: Expanded to Japan & Australia + raised $3M in Pre-Series A from Wavemaker Partners & Seeds Capital.
📌 Aug 2022: JV with Banpu Innovation Venture, received a $900K order from Sunseap, and expanded team to 60+ employees across Singapore & India.
📌 Jan 2023: Secured $10M Series A funding, partnered with Inci Holding for Turkey’s energy sector, and inked MOUs with NTU & Newcastle University for PhD training in power electronics.
📌 May 2025: Raised $20.5M in latest funding from Granite Asia, Antares Ventures, EDBI, MOL PLUS, and PSA Ventures to scale up global operations.
With its latest funding, VFlowTech is gearing up to open a Gigafactory in India, expanding its 100 MWh facility to support 1 GWh of energy storage solutions for the Indian renewable sector.
Awards & Global Recognition to VFlowTech by Avishek and Arjun
🏆 SET 100 List: Named among the Top 100 Global Energy Innovations, showcasing breakthrough cleantech solutions.
🏆 Forbes Asia 100 to Watch: Recognized for disrupting energy storage with fresh thinking & innovative products.
🏆 QuickHR’s Annual Woman of Excellence Award: Senior HR Manager Puja Shah was awarded for outstanding contributions at VFlowTech.
These milestones aren’t just for show, they cement VFlowTech’s reputation as a key player in renewable energy storage. 💡
Scaling Up: What’s Next for VFlowTech?
VFlowTech is rapidly scaling its operations to redefine long-duration energy storage. The company is developing an AI-powered energy management platform aimed at enhancing grid optimization and efficiency, ensuring seamless integration of renewable energy sources. It is also expanding its microgrid solutions, deploying Vanadium Redox Flow Battery (VRFB) systems across rural communities and commercial projects, making clean energy more accessible.
A major milestone on the horizon is the establishment of India’s first full-scale Gigafactory, designed to support large-scale energy storage, strengthening the country’s renewable infrastructure.
On a global scale, VFlowTech is ramping up deployment partnerships, targeting 1 GWh of installations in India and beyond, accelerating the transition toward sustainable power solutions.
Final Thoughts: Why VFlowTech’s Innovation Matters
Adoption of renewable energy isn’t just about installing solar panels or wind farms; it’s about making sure energy is always available when needed.
- Energy storage is key to the clean energy transition.
- Vanadium redox flow batteries could be the game-changer the industry needs.
- VFlowTech’s breakthrough technology is solving the biggest pain points in energy storage.
By developing scalable, affordable, and high-performance storage solutions, VFlowTech is helping drive the global shift to renewable energy, without the environmental downsides of lithium or lead-acid batteries.
With a Gigafactory in the works, AI-driven energy management systems on the horizon, and a rapidly growing global footprint, VFlowTech is on track to become a leader in cleantech storage.
And if their recent $20.5M funding is any indication, this is just the beginning. 🚀🔋
