Breathe Raises $21M to Revolutionize EV Battery Performance
Wondering how to improve electric vehicle battery performance while cutting development costs? Breathe Battery Technologies is providing the solution. The London-based startup has developed advanced software tools that predict battery performance, optimize EV charging speeds, and extend battery life—addressing critical pain points for automakers racing to keep up with China’s lightning-fast automotive innovation cycles. Recently, Breathe announced a $21 million Series B funding round, led by Kinnevik Online AB with participation from Lowercarbon Capital and Volvo Cars Tech Fund, fueling its mission to reshape the EV and consumer electronics markets.
Why Battery Performance Prediction is a Game-Changer
China's automotive market is evolving faster than anywhere else, with new electric vehicle models launching every 18 months—leaving Western automakers struggling with their slower, four-year development cycles. One major bottleneck? Battery technology. Batteries directly influence EV performance, lifespan, and cost, yet traditional methods of improving them—mainly physical testing—are expensive, time-consuming, and inflexible.
Breathe Battery Technologies addresses this challenge by offering a software-driven approach that enhances battery management through intelligent prediction models. By improving EV battery performance prediction, manufacturers can make better decisions earlier, significantly reducing development costs and time to market.
Inside Breathe’s Innovative Battery Software Suite
Breathe’s success hinges on four groundbreaking products: Charge, Model, Map, and the upcoming Design.
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Charge optimizes battery charging strategies, allowing devices and EVs to charge faster or last longer. For example, Oppo, a Chinese smartphone giant, reduced charging times by 27% after implementing Breathe’s solution. Meanwhile, Volvo’s ES90 sedan—expected soon—will charge from 10% to 80% in just 20 minutes, thanks to Breathe’s code.
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Model offers predictive simulations of battery life and performance, giving companies a head start in identifying the best chemistries and configurations.
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Map refines these models with real-world data to ensure accuracy under real usage conditions.
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Design, launching soon, will empower manufacturers to speed up battery development by replacing much of the costly and laborious lab testing traditionally needed.
These tools are designed to integrate seamlessly into product development cycles, helping brands deliver better electric vehicles, smartphones, and other electronics while managing R&D budgets more efficiently.
How Breathe Battery Technologies Outpaces Traditional Battery Testing
Typical battery production sees minor variations from cell to cell, meaning not every battery will perform identically. Some cells can handle faster charging; others may degrade quicker under stress. Rather than forcing one-size-fits-all solutions, Breathe’s software identifies the quirks in each battery cell and adapts charging strategies accordingly.
By simulating and mapping battery behavior over time, Breathe gives manufacturers a predictive edge. Companies no longer have to wait years for results through extensive physical testing. With access to a specialized London-based lab, Breathe can deliver predictive battery models in as little as four weeks—an efficiency boost comparable to what semiconductor giants like Apple and Nvidia achieved through advanced chip simulation.
Why This Matters for Automakers, Electronics Brands, and Investors
EV adoption rates are climbing, especially in Asia and Europe, creating fierce competition among automakers to deliver cars that charge faster, drive farther, and last longer—all without blowing up manufacturing costs. Meanwhile, consumer electronics brands are pushing for faster-charging smartphones and longer-lasting laptops.
By reducing reliance on physical battery testing and allowing for smarter, data-driven decisions, Breathe enables companies to future-proof their products while improving margins.
Breathe’s Vision: The Cadence and Synopsys of the Battery World
CEO Ian Campbell draws inspiration from the semiconductor industry's use of simulation software from companies like Cadence Design Systems and Synopsys. Those tools revolutionized chip design by reducing errors, speeding up production, and enhancing overall efficiency. Breathe’s goal is to do the same for the battery sector—building a digital-first foundation that helps businesses innovate faster, smarter, and more cost-effectively.
“We want to try and do for batteries what simulation software has done for semiconductors,” Campbell said.
As EV markets expand and demand for high-performing, fast-charging batteries intensifies, Breathe Battery Technologies seems poised to become a vital partner for automakers and tech companies worldwide.
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