BTRY: The Venture Leader Mobile advancing next-gen battery technology

Meet Moritz Futscher, founder of BTRY. The engineering startup is working on new battery architectures for improved performance and efficiency. In March, Moritz will join nine other innovators on a business development and investor roadshow in Barcelona.

Name: Moritz Futscher
Location: Zurich
Nationality: Austrian
Graduated from: University of Amsterdam
Founding team members: 3
Number of employees: 15
Money raised: CHF 6M

What does your product or solution do, and what makes it unique?
At BTRY, we are industrializing solid-state batteries that combine fast charging and intrinsic safety in one of the world’s thinnest formats. These batteries can charge in about one minute, operate safely at high temperatures, and fit into devices where conventional batteries can’t, from connected labels and wireless sensors to wearables and compact electronics.

What trend or shift in your industry is currently creating the biggest opportunity for you?
The broader transition toward solid-state batteries is accelerating as industries demand safer, thinner, and more temperature-stable energy storage. Within this market, Bluetooth Low Energy  labels are emerging as an early-adopter application, driven by the need for ultra-thin batteries with rapid power peaks and roll-to-roll integration, while increasing deployment in harsh and high-temperature environments further exposes the limits of conventional batteries.

How did the idea for your startup originate?
The idea was born at Empa, where my co-founders and I were developing this battery technology in the lab. Interest from industry partners made it clear that the technology addressed a real, unmet need. We decided to take it beyond research by building a proof of concept, securing the first IP, and founding BTRY to turn scientific results into real-world products.

Which market are you addressing, and what potential do you see for your startup in that market?
We initially address the wireless IoT market, focusing on connected labels and ultra-compact sensors for logistics, smart buildings, and industrial applications. This market is growing rapidly and provides a clear path to expansion into MedTech and consumer electronics, where thin, safe, and fast-charging batteries unlock new device designs.

What impact do you want your technology to have five years from now?
In five years, BTRY will power real-world IoT products such as connected labels and sensors that operate maintenance-free for years, fulfilling our vision of enabling applications previously limited by energy storage. Building on this foundation, we will expand into MedTech and consumer electronics, bringing safe, fast-charging solid-state batteries into everyday devices.

What major challenges have you faced so far?
A major challenge has been moving from a scientific mindset to leading a company and learning to make fast, high-impact decisions with incomplete information. Balancing deep-tech development with market needs and execution, and letting go of perfect data in favor of progress, has been a key learning.

What motivates you on tough days?
Our long-term vision and the possibilities it creates are a constant driver. On tough days, reflecting on how far we’ve come, from tangible technical progress to growing customer interest and a motivated, happy team, reinforces that we’re building something with real and lasting impact.

Why did you decide to join the Venture Leaders Roadshow, and what are you most excited about?
The roadshow connects us with the right investors and partners for our next growth phase and provides valuable feedback to sharpen our market strategy.