BMW i Ventures has announced a colead investment in Estes Energy Solutions Inc., a materials and manufacturing innovator based in California, US. The $11 million seed round was coled with Fortescue Ventures and included participation from New Systems Ventures and DCVC. This funding brings Estes' total raised capital to $20 million and will support the completion of its chemistry-agnostic battery pack platform and the establishment of domestic manufacturing capabilities.

The investment highlights BMW i Ventures' dedication to supporting disruptive technologies in electrification. Estes Energy is focused on enhancing battery pack performance and economics through advanced materials and manufacturing processes. Its modular platform includes a lithium iron phosphate (LFP)-powered variant for cost-sensitive applications and a nickel-powered variant for mass-sensitive applications. Both systems are designed for heavy use and allow original equipment manufacturers to serve diverse markets with a single integration effort.

Baris Guzel, partner at BMW i Ventures, praised Estes for its unique blend of technology and expertise in building robust and scalable battery systems. Interest in Estes' offerings is growing among commercial partners and OEMs across various sectors, including defense, aviation, marine, rail and off-highway.

The investment will support Estes in expanding its development team, establishing pilot manufacturing capabilities and deploying systems to early customers by the fourth quarter of 2025, aligning with national priorities for a strong US-based battery supply chain.

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