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The electrodes of solar cells and many energy devices often use gold or silver. These metals are expensive and their prices fluctuate sharply. GraphEnergyTech, a spin-off of the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne (EPFL) and the University of Cambridge, is developing an alternative. In 2024, Aramco Ventures led its pre-seed round.<\/p>\n
GraphEnergyTech has completed the first close of its seed<\/strong>round, announced on 9 November 2026<\/strong> the Greater Geneva Bern area (GGBa), the economic promotion agency of western Switzerland. The round targets up to \u00a33 million and remains open to new investors. Aramco Ventures is returning as an investor, alongside existing shareholders and new business angels, including Canadian investors.<\/p>\n The company, which has offices in Lausanne and Cambridge, produces highly conductive inks and pastes based on carbon and graphene<\/strong>. They serve as metal-free electrodes. According to the company, they reduce exposure to metal prices while maintaining electrode efficiency and durability. The technology builds on research by Professor Michael Gr\u00e4tzel at EPFL and by Cambridge researchers.<\/p>\n Starting with solar panels, GraphEnergyTech is expanding into fuel cells, heating technologies and printed electronics. It is also involved in a perovskite solar module project with Taiwanese and British partners.<\/p>\nKey figures<\/h3>\n
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What it means for businesses<\/h3>\n
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