Company

We are Anthro

Anthro Energy is a Silicon Valley based company producing advanced electrolytes to break battery barriers.

Spun out of Stanford in 2021, co-founders David Mackanic and Joe Papp combined their expertise in polymer materials and Li-ion batteries with a shared passion for sustainability to launch Anthro Energy. Anthro’s mission is to unlock the full potential of batteries to ensure safe and widespread energy solutions.

After securing fellowship and grant funding in 2021, Anthro delivered its first prototype cells to customers. Since then, Anthro has built on this momentum by building a California production facility, obtaining critical battery certifications, and shipping their first commercial product. Anthro is dedicated to pushing the boundaries of energy density, safety, and form factor design to power the electrification of everything.

Growth

Scaling in Alameda

Anthro’s new Alameda headquarters and production site is where cutting-edge innovation becomes reality. Architected for precision and scale, it brings together engineering and manufacturing to deliver advanced electrolytes and high-performance battery cells powered by Anthro Proteus™. Our team has worked hard to create an environment where bold ideas can turn into real-world impact.

The Team

David Mackanic, PhD

Co-Founder & CEO

David is currently the CEO and Co-Founder of Anthro Energy. He received his PhD in Chemical Engineering from Stanford University, where he invented the origins of Anthro’s technology. David has been recognized in MIT Technology Reviews ’35 Innovators Under 35′ and Forbes ’30 Under 30′ for his work in lithium ion batteries. David is an endurance enthusiast, and enjoys running ultra-marathons, mountain biking, and skiing.

Joe Papp, PhD

Co-Founder & CTO

Joe Papp is currently the CTO and co-founder of Anthro Energy. He earned his PhD in Chemical Engineering from UC Berkeley, where his research focused on understanding degradation mechanisms in lithium-ion batteries and resulted in more than 20 publications. Prior to Anthro, Joe also worked at Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, where he advanced the development of solid-state electrolytes. Outside of his professional pursuits, Joe enjoys making deep-dish pizza from scratch, exploring Bay Area hiking trails, cheering for Kentucky basketball, and savoring a good bourbon.

Qudus Lawal

Head of Government

Qudus is currently Head of Government at Anthro Energy. With over four years of experience in technology and policy consulting, he has helped hard-tech startups in the semiconductor and clean-tech space secure and manage more than $250M in non-dilutive government funding through agencies like the Department of Energy and the Department Of Defense. In addition, Qudus spent two years in corporate development, working cross-functionally on strategic initiatives and supporting portfolio management, specializing in education as a benefit business strategy for Fortune 100 companies, and business products for emerging markets in Latin America, Africa, and India. Beyond his professional endeavors, Qudus is passionate about working with educational non-profits focused in Africa and is currently learning to play the piano. He holds a Bachelor’s of Science and Master’s of Science in Chemical Engineering from Stanford University.

Jackie Nguyen, MBA

Head of Sales & Marketing

Jackie is currently the Head of Sales and Marketing at Anthro Energy where she is responsible for all things commercial. She enjoys leveraging her strong technical background into strategic business partnerships to drive results. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling and exploring new cities. She holds a Bachelor’s of Science in Chemical Engineering from the University of California, Santa Barbara and an MBA from Pepperdine University.

Dory Kramer, PhD

Manager, Cell Development

Dory currently leads the Cell Development Engineering Team at Anthro Energy. He has previously helped deploy and scale Li-ion batteries for the past 8 years at major tech giants including Tesla and Apple with specialty in automation and industrial electrochemistry over the past 20 years. Outside of work, Dory enjoys spending time with his family and kids, is an avid outdoorsman and amateur furniture maker. He holds a Bachelor’s of Science in Mechanical Engineering from John Hopkins University, and a PhD in Materials Engineering from Columbia University.

Justin Yen

Manager, Manufacturing

Justin is currently the Manufacturing Manager at Anthro Energy where he is responsible for all things operations. With over 12 years of experience in the Li-ion battery industry, Justin previously led a team of engineers and scientists to develop advanced battery technologies for luxury automaker, Lucid Motors. Prior to that, Justin led critical automotive programs at Sila Nanotechnologies. When not immersed in the world of batteries, Justin enjoys spending quality time with his family and staying fit through functional fitness, Olympic weightlifting, and tennis. He holds a Bachelor’s of Science in Materials Science and Engineering from Georgia Institute of Technology.

Jia Du, PhD

Manager, Electrolytes

Jia is currently the Manager for Electrolyte Development at Anthro Energy. His team is responsible for next generation formulations, continuing to push the boundaries of innovation. Jia was previously the R&D Manager at Factorial, specializing in Li-metal technologies. He has over 7 years in battery materials development for advanced cell technology and holds more than 10 patents in the battery field. He enjoys playing basketball, building LEGO sets, and spending time with his family. He holds a Bachelor’s of Engineering from Hefei University of Technology, and a PhD in Chemistry from University of Texas, Dallas.

Allen Churchill

Head of Finance

Allen is currently the Head of Finance at Anthro Energy. He is a seasoned strategic leader with cross-industry experience spanning financial analysis, digital media, technology operations, and energy innovation. He began his career in investment banking as an Equity Research Analyst covering the Internet Sector at Goldman Sachs, and has held multiple finance and commercial roles across technology companies like shaping content strategy and partnerships at Netflix and as well as the Head of Finance for YouTube TV at Google. Most recently, he supported the advancement of lower-carbon solutions and emerging technologies at Chevron New Energies and Chevron Technology Ventures. He holds a Bachelor’s of Science from Brigham Young University and an MBA from UC Berkeley, Haas School of Business. Outside of work, Allen is an avid traveler who enjoys competing in marathons and triathlons in unique and exotic locations. Closer to home, he loves exploring the Bay Area with his wife and newborn daughter, discovering new trails, neighborhoods, and coastal escapes.

OUR VALUES

HUMANS FIRST

We treat each other as people first, building relationships on positivity, trust, and transparency. Our success depends on the strength of these connections, and we prioritize a supportive, collaborative work environment where open communication and teamwork thrive.

COMMITTED TO EXCELLENCE

We are dedicated to achieving the highest standards in everything we do, with a commitment to delivering excellence, reliability, and trustworthiness to our teams and our customers.

DIVERSITY WINS

We believe that diversity wins, and we are committed to building a team with a wide range of backgrounds and perspectives.

INVENT A  SUSTAINABLE FUTURE

We commit to practicing sustainability at every step. By embedding sustainable practices, we secure Anthro’s long-term success while contributing to a safer, more sustainable future for all.

EMBRACE THE CHALLENGE

We are passionate and curious individuals who continuously challenge ourselves and push through roadblocks to achieve innovation. Through dedication and perseverance, we embrace every challenge as an opportunity to innovate and excel.

CULTURE

Life at Anthro

Life at Anthro goes beyond building a sustainable future — We intentionally create moments to connect so we can strengthen relationships, celebrate achievements, and reinforce a shared sense of purpose both within our team and beyond.