San Leandro-based Coreshell Technologies has been named the grand-prize winner of the Startup World Cup Grand Finale, earning a $1 million investment for its breakthrough electric vehicle (EV) battery technology. The win reinforces California’s position as a global hub for clean energy and startup innovation.
Coreshell’s proprietary battery platform uses metallurgical silicon anodes to increase energy density by 30–40% while lowering production costs—a major advancement for the EV sector. The company’s growth has been fueled by California’s SCALE Network (Success, Capital Access and Leadership for Entrepreneurs) and the East Bay Small Business Development Center, which provided free advising, training, and capital readiness support.
Competing against 10,000 startups from 100 regions worldwide, Coreshell stood out among a diverse field of innovators. Two other California startups, GO TO-U, an EV charging software company, and Macro Cycle, focused on sustainable plastics and textiles, also ranked among the top finalists.
“Coreshell’s transformational technology exemplifies the clean energy innovation and entrepreneurial drive that defines California businesses,” said Governor Gavin Newsom, highlighting the state’s commitment to advancing zero-emission technologies and economic growth.
California continues to lead the U.S. in zero-emission vehicle adoption, surpassing 2.47 million registered ZEVs statewide, including 120,000 units sold in Q3 2025 alone. Coreshell’s innovation is expected to accelerate that momentum while extending the impact of its technology into adjacent industries such as advanced manufacturing and robotics.
With this milestone, Coreshell joins a growing wave of California startups driving global progress toward a cleaner, more energy-efficient future.
