Battery Tech Software Startup Zitara Raises $17 Million
Zitara, a developer of advanced battery controls software, announced that it has raised $17 million in Series AA funding, with proceeds aimed at advancing its solutions to enhance battery performance, reliability, and sustainability in energy storage systems.
Energy storage forms one of the major building blocks for the rapidly expanding clean energy transition, given the intermittent generating nature of many sources of renewable energy, such as wind and solar, and the need to satisfy round-the-clock energy demand, while ensuring that energy is not wasted. Founded in 2019, San Francisco-based Zitara’s software leverages advanced algorithms and machine learning to optimize battery performance, extend battery life, and enhance safety across diverse applications – especially grid-scale energy storage. The result is more efficient use of produced and stored energy, according to Zitara.
The company said that it plans to use the funds to deepen relationships and business development efforts with independent power producer (IPP) and investor-owned utility (IOU) customers that own and operate large scale, front-of meter battery energy storage systems (BESS) that are connected directly to the electricity grid. It will also work to strengthen its partnerships with battery manufacturers and system integrators. In addition, it plans to expand its engineering capabilities to accelerate product development, and enhance AI and machine learning capabilities for more advanced battery optimization.
“This funding round marks a significant milestone for Zitara as we continue to push the boundaries of edge-learning battery management software. With the support of our investors, we’re poised to accelerate our product development and expand our market reach, ultimately contributing to a more sustainable and electrified future,” said Shyam Srinivasan, CEO of Zitara, adding that the funding “will enable us to bring our advanced battery management solutions to more customers, helping them maximize the performance and lifespan of their battery systems while reducing costs and environmental impact.”
The round was led by Salesforce Ventures, with participation from Emerson Ventures, Chevron Technology Ventures, Energy Impact Partners, and Climate Capital.
“Zitara’s cutting-edge battery management software aligns with our focus on supporting innovative technologies that drive sustainability and efficiency,” said Claudine Emeott, Partner at Salesforce Ventures. “We believe Zitara has the potential to make a significant impact in the rapidly growing energy storage market.”