BTRY Wins the HERMES Startup Award 2026
BTRY AG received the HERMES Startup AWARD 2026 at the opening ceremony of HANNOVER MESSE. The award recognized the company’s ultra-thin solid-state batteries, which offer fast charging, high temperature resistance, and enhanced safety. The production process utilizes semiconductor-based methods that do not involve toxic solvents.
What was recognized
BTRY was honored for a battery platform that outperforms Li-ion cells in several key areas. The cells are available in thicknesses as low as 0.1 mm and can be fully charged and discharged within one minute. According to the announcement, they can operate at temperatures up to 150 °C.
Technical Features
Solid-state chemistry in an ultra-thin design.
Very fast charging and discharging cycles (complete in about one minute).
Temperature resistance up to 150 °C.
Enhanced safety features compared to conventional lithium-ion cells.
Target applications include wireless IoT sensors, wearables, and medical technology.
Manufacturing and Sustainability
BTRY applies manufacturing technologies from the semiconductor industry to battery production. According to the press release, the production process requires no toxic solvents and is characterized by low material consumption.
Comments from the jury and policymakers
Federal Research Minister Dorothee Bär praised the product as a space-saving, resource-efficient energy storage solution that opens up new possibilities. Prof. Dr.-Ing. Holger Hanselka, Chair of the jury and President of the Fraunhofer Society, emphasized the importance of customized batteries for electrification and stated that BTRY had demonstrated the performance of both the product and the production technology. He added that the company is already in negotiations with licensees.
Relevance for Integrators, Solution Providers, and Users
For system integrators and solution providers, ultra-thin, fast-charging solid-state batteries open up new design freedoms for space-constrained IoT devices and wearables. The high temperature resistance and increased safety are particularly relevant for industrial sensor technology and medical applications. Device manufacturers must explore manufacturing and licensing options, as BTRY is already in talks with licensees, according to the jury.
About the HERMES Startup AWARD and HANNOVER MESSE
The HERMES Startup AWARD is presented annually by Deutsche Messe to companies that are no more than five years old and whose product demonstrates a particularly high degree of technological innovation. The announcement takes place during the opening ceremony of HANNOVER MESSE. HANNOVER MESSE is the world’s leading trade fair for the manufacturing industry; the next edition will take place from April 20 to 24, 2026, in Hanover.