Human-Integrated Battery Innovation

Anthro Energy emerged from Stanford's H4D program in Spring 2020, where co-founders David Mackanic and Michael Ko tackled the Joint Staff Office's challenge around powering electronics that integrate seamlessly with the human body. What began as an academic battery concept evolved through CMP's structured methodology into a defense-ready battery manufacturing company addressing critical supply chain vulnerabilities.

Current Mission

Anthro Energy develops human-integrated batteries designed to enable radically new electronics that work seamlessly with the human body and beyond. Their advanced-electrolyte technology addresses both performance requirements for wearable defense applications and strategic manufacturing needs for domestic battery production capabilities.

Scale and Impact

The company has raised $20 million in Series A funding and secured over $43 million in DOE grants and federal tax credits. Anthro constructed the first U.S.-owned advanced-electrolyte facility, which is projected to reduce foreign supply reliance by 30% and accelerate test-cycle times by 25%. They've secured pilot deployments with Tier-1 defense prime contractors.

Defense Innovation Legacy

Anthro Energy's transformation demonstrates the compound impact of CMP's methodology and resources. CMP's grant and mentorship guided the team through 143 stakeholder interviews, informing two critical product pivots to meet Joint Staff requirements. CMP's prototyping facilities and DOE program manager introductions enabled validation of their modular cell designs, directly unlocking major federal funding. The company now addresses both immediate defense electronics needs and strategic battery manufacturing independence—validating how defense innovation can create dual-use technologies with national security implications.