The Graphite Gap: This Startup Has a Sunny Solution to the World’s Lithium-Ion Battery Supply Problem.
Born from UCLA research, SolGrapH uses solar energy to transform waste gas into synthetic graphite, tackling one of the biggest challenges in battery materials.
From mobile phones to electric vehicles to grid-scale energy storage systems, Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) have become one of the most indispensable commodities of our age. But while US demand for LIBs is predicted to grow 500% by 2030, we can’t rely upon their ready availability, due to supply pressure on lithium, cobalt, nickel—and graphite.
The shortage of anode-quality graphite is a bigger problem than most realize: China currently controls 95% of the world’s supply and moved to restrict its export in 2025, making graphite a major chokepoint in the LIB global supply chain. Meanwhile, the USA raised total tariffs on Chinese graphite to 160%, driving strong, immediate demand for domestic graphite production.
Amidst this commercial and geopolitical transition, Neotribe is delighted to invest in SolGrapH, an energy startup formed by a group of world-class UCLA researchers to solve the graphite gap. SolGrapH’s solution converts natural gas or biogas like methane into high-quality and high-purity synthetic graphite, using solar irradiation. This is far more sustainable than existing synthetic graphite production methods, which emit high levels of CO2. Because each SolGrapH solar dish is a self-contained production unit, it is also highly scalable, requiring minimal CapEx to meet growing market demand. Best of all, SolGrapH's solution is remarkably cost-competitive, with a cost of production target of $5-6 per kilogram—in line with foreign low-cost producers and approximately half the five year average market rate of $12 per kilogram for comparable synthetic graphite.
SolGrapH’s founding team is composed of UCLA Professors Timothy Fisher (CTO) and Mitchell Spearrin (CSO), experts in materials, thermodynamics, and thermochemical engineering, complemented by veteran enterprise global growth executive Mark Seneker (CEO). I first heard about them from Bill Gross, co-founder of Heliogen, another Neotribe portfolio company using solar power for energy storage. In addition to Neotribe’s funding, SolGrapH received a Fast-Track Small-Business Technology Transfer (STTR) award from the Department of Energy and independent funding from The California Energy Commission-affiliated CalSEED Fund.
SolGrapH’s market entry strategy includes a focus on the fast-growing and strategically important UAV market. The company is also in advanced discussions to consummate an on-site pilot project with a major upstream oil and gas company, in which SolGrapH would valorize waste gas that would otherwise be vented or flared.
SolGrapH’s success has the potential to dramatically reshape the entire synthetic graphite supply chain, boosting both sustainability and market competitiveness for the USA. Neotribe is proud to help support this vital mission, and to welcome SolGrapH into the tribe.