South 8 Technologies has secured an additional $11 million in follow-on funding to expand production of its LiGas liquefied gas electrolyte battery technology and advance commercialization efforts across defense and aerospace programs that demand reliable power in extreme environments. The funding round was co-led by the venture arm of W. L. Gore and Associates and Lockheed Martin Ventures, with participation from existing investors including Anzu Partners, IQT, LG Technology Ventures, Porsche Ventures, Foothill Ventures, Alumni Ventures, and Galvion.
The new capital will scale manufacturing capacity at South 8’s San Diego facilities, enabling the company to produce LiGas-based cylindrical cells at higher volumes and complete qualification processes with major defense and aerospace customers. The financing also supports multi-year supply agreements and expands deployment of the company’s solutions across soldier power systems, unmanned aerial platforms, and space applications.
South 8’s liquefied gas electrolyte replaces conventional liquid electrolytes with a non-toxic gas formulation that operates between minus 60 °C and 60 °C. This approach maintains high capacity, improves safety through a thermal fuse that removes the electrolyte during abusive conditions, and allows charging in freezing temperatures. The technology is positioned for next-generation systems that must operate reliably at altitude, in severe cold, and in mission-critical environments.
The company recently announced collaborations with LG Energy Solution, KULR Technology Group, and NASA to co-develop space-rated LiGas batteries capable of operating at extreme temperatures. South 8 has also signed Letters of Intent with Galvion and CTNS to integrate LiGas cells into soldier power systems and develop LiGas-based battery packs for defense and aerospace clients across North America and allied markets.
South 8 has secured more than $32 million in non-dilutive funding and joint development agreements from organizations including the United States Army, the United States Department of Energy, the California Energy Commission, and multiple industrial partners. The company has shipped thousands of cells to defense primes, aerospace integrators, and manufacturers for evaluation, establishing a pipeline of opportunities that extends through the decade.
KEY QUOTES
“LiGas unlocks performance that conventional lithium-ion simply cannot match at low temperatures or high altitudes. With this investment, we’re accelerating commercialization and building the manufacturing capacity needed to support our customers’ most advanced systems.”
Jungwoo Lee, PhD, Co-Founder and CEO of South 8 Technologies
“South 8 is addressing one of the most critical challenges in energy storage: delivering dependable performance in extreme environments. LiGas introduces transformative capabilities for advanced aerospace platforms, and we’re proud to support South 8 as it scales production.”
Ed Rubin, Leader of W. L. Gore and Associates’ Venture Funds
“Defense and aerospace customers are demanding power solutions that work at minus forty degrees Celsius, at altitude, and beyond. South 8’s LiGas chemistry fills a critical capability gap for high-performance systems. Our continued investment reflects the continued market pull we see as the technology moves toward commercialization.”
Chris Moran, VP and GM of Lockheed Martin Ventures
“Advanced energy storage is foundational to the future of strategic applications. South 8’s LiGas technology represents a major advancement with the potential to deliver safer, higher-performing storage for mission-critical systems.”
Andrew Schwab, Principal at IQT
