Co-founder / CEO / CBO / COO - Energy

About Zineva

We are developing a low-cost aqueous zinc metal battery platform for stationary energy storage. Using earth-abundant materials and a water-based electrolyte, our electrochemical system delivers safe, scalable energy storage at a fraction of the cost and complexity of lithium-ion batteries — with no risk of thermal runaway.

The problem we are solving 

Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), particularly for backup power and long-duration applications, does not require the high energy density of lithium-ion. Yet the market remains dominated by either ageing VRLA lead-acid technology — heavy, short-lived, and maintenance-intensive — or lithium-ion systems that impose significant fire-safety, certification, and total installed-cost burdens. Neither technology is purpose-built for stationary use. The result is that operators and integrators pay a premium for performance they do not need, while accepting safety and operational constraints they would rather avoid.

Where are we?

• Technology at TRL 4, with working pouch-cell prototypes. 

• Pre-maturation with CNRS Innovation is ongoing. 

• Three International patents have been filed, and asset transfer from the research programme is underway.

• Active lab partnership with CNRS Gold Medal Laureate Prof. Tarascon at the Collège de France. 

• The technical founding team is in place; we are looking to complete the team with a business co-founder following initial market exploration.

Ongoing market exploration

We are currently exploring several market segments with the aim of a phased go-to-market approach. 

• Telecom backup power: Drop-in lead acid replacement for base stations and network infrastructure, where safety, footprint, and low maintenance are critical. 

• Off-grid and remote BESS: Long standby applications where calendar life and simplicity of operation matter more than energy density. 

• Renewable integration: Low-cost buffer storage for solar and wind at the distributed scale. 

The role

We are looking for a business co-founder (CEO/CBO/COO) to share the company's vision, strategy, and commercial development — in exchange for equity, not an immediate salary.

Concretely, in the first 12 months:

• Lead market exploration conversations (telecom operators, system integrators, investors) to converge on an initial product-market fit in collaboration with the technical team.

• Drive early fundraising and prepare applications for public funding calls (BPI France, iLab, EIC, Horizon Europe). 

• Define the business model and go-to-market strategy for the priority segment.

Profile sought

You have concrete experience in at least one of the following: business development or product commercialisation in energy storage, cleantech, or industrial technology; sales or partnerships with telecom operators, utilities, or critical infrastructure providers; or fundraising and investor relations in deep tech. A network in the European energy or cleantech ecosystem is a strong asset. You are comfortable operating in technical complexity. You are prepared to commit without an immediate salary in exchange for a founding equity stake.