Miami Startup MATERIAL Raises $7.1M to 3D Print Batteries Directly Into Devices

Battery chemistry has advanced significantly over the years, but the processes used to manufacture batteries have changed little. A Miami-based startup is looking to change that with 3D printed batteries.

MATERIAL (Material Hybrid Manufacturing) has developed HYBRID3D, a platform that 3D prints energy storage directly into components of virtually any shape or size. The company recently raised $7.1 million in Seed funding, co-led by Outlander VC and Harpoon Ventures, with participation from GoAhead Ventures, Myelin VC, Demos Capital, and Giant Step Capital.

Energy That Adapts

Conventional batteries constrain design because they must fit rigid, predefined shapes, which can lower energy density and leave wasted space. MATERIAL's approach allows batteries to conform to the form of a device, potentially improving efficiency, reducing weight, and offering new possibilities for product design.

The world doesnt need another breakthrough in battery chemistry; it needs a breakthrough in how we make energy storage. We are building the tools to make electrical energy formless, said Gabe Elias, CEO of MATERIAL.

Dramatic Performance Claims

HYBRID3D works by printing complete batteries directly into the structure of a device, integrating the anode, cathode, separator, and casing in a single process. The company claims:

• 55% increased range
• 42% payload capacity improvement
• Almost 0% mass delta compared with conventional batteries
• Using up to 90% of interior volume

By supporting multiple chemistries, HYBRID3D enables slimmer, lighter designs while improving energy density and material efficiency, effectively making power an integral part of the product rather than a separate component.

Defense Applications

The platform is already being tested under a $1.25 million Phase II SBIR contract with the U.S. Air Force, in collaboration with PDW (a defense drone manufacturer) and other defense partners.

MATERIALs ability to tailor battery geometry to our airframe would allow us to push endurance and payload limits further, said Darsan Patel, Director of Product Design at PDW. Conformal energy technology bridges the gap between rapid prototyping and field-ready performance.

Harpoon Ventures highlighted the strategic implications: Current defense platforms are strangled by the geometry of commercial batteries. MATERIAL eliminates that constraint. Their ability to decouple energy storage from rigid form factors is a game-changer for our national industrial base.

Industry Impact

Investors see the platform as a potential paradigm shift rather than an incremental improvement. MATERIAL is creating an entirely new paradigm for the battery industry, said Jordan Kretchmer, Senior Partner at Outlander VC.

Commercially, MATERIAL is exploring next-generation consumer electronics and piloting applications in mobility, robotics, and wearables.

Challenges Ahead

Despite its potential, HYBRID3D faces notable challenges. Most testing has been at the prototype level, and scaling production while maintaining safety and consistency will be significant hurdles. The battery industry is highly regulated, and any manufacturing process must meet stringent quality standards.

However, with defense funding already secured and clear performance advantages, MATERIAL is positioned to be a key player in the emerging field of 3D printed energy storage.