Frequently Asked Questions

We've made significant progress over the last year, including developing a commercial-caliber sodium-ion cell (65 amp hours) and creating the first home-ready sodium-ion battery pack in America. We also have agreements with American Battery Manufacturers to produce our batteries in the USA, and are actively pursuing partnerships with major real estate developers in California and beyond. We're now actively working towards pilot production and seeking additional funding to accelerate our development.

We have agreements with American Battery Manufacturers to produce our batteries in the USA. We're also pursuing partnerships with major real estate developers in California and beyond to integrate our batteries into new home constructions. Additionally, we are exploring the possibility of scaling our technology straight to commercial-scale batteries to go to market with an industry leading commercial unit that can meet the growing demand for AI data center energy. As we move towards production, we'll be establishing additional manufacturing partnerships to scale our operations efficiently.

We anticipate having a production model that is commercially available no sooner than three years from now (2024). However, the exact timeline will depend on several factors, including market conditions, our progress in R&D, and the success of our ongoing fundraising efforts. 

We've made significant progress, including developing a commercial-caliber sodium-ion cell and creating the first home-ready sodium-ion battery pack in America. 

We have agreements with American Battery Manufacturers to produce our batteries in the USA, and are pursuing partnerships with major real estate developers in California and beyond. 

We're actively working towards pilot production and seeking additional funding to accelerate our timeline.

This fundraise is specifically dedicated to raising the $20 million we need to finish our R&D and launch our pilot production line. 

While we cannot provide an exact date at this moment, our primary focus is on bringing a disruptive and scalable product to market. We've successfully scaled up our battery cell size from the standard 18650 form factor to a commercial-caliber 65 amp hour cell, which is a significant step towards production. We've also combined 15 of these commercial-caliber cells into a single unit powerful enough to run an entire home.

These breakthroughs may not only elevate NTT's position in the industry but also potentially impact the value of your shares.

Why can't we give a precise timeline at this time?

Regulatory Considerations: Due to the nature of Regulation A+ crowdfunding, any information we provide to one investor must be shared with all. With a large number of investors, there’s a possibility that news might be leaked to potential competitors before we can make an official announcement. However, I can confirm that we are actively planning our press and marketing strategies.

R&D Complexities: Developing a technology that has never been made before (sodium ion battery cells) is inherently challenging and doesn’t lend itself to linear planning. The timeline can be influenced by various factors, including manufacturing, supply chain and amount of capital raised. For example, we have some exciting opportunities that could lead to an even greater market opportunities. If that is deemed the best decision for all shareholders, it may change the timeline, but could also  significantly enhance the value of the company and your potential investment.

Pace of funding: The amount of capital we raise through this  crowdfunding investment round, future fundraising rounds, or future grants will also impact our timeline. Our current goal is to raise $20 million to finalize R&D and begin initial production runs. If we secure additional funding, it could enable us to pursue these disruptive opportunities, potentially altering our timeline and with enough raised, accelerate it.

We are venturing into uncharted territory and have  made significant breakthroughs that showcase real value.

We want to be shipping units just as much as you but we also want to make sure that what we release has the potential for significant revenue and growth for the company and our shareholders.

Rest assured, we're committed to bringing our innovative technology to market as quickly as possible while ensuring we deliver a high-quality, competitive product.

We aim to put a better battery in every home, business, and grid, making clean energy more accessible and affordable for everyone. Our long-term vision is to revolutionize the energy storage industry and accelerate the transition to sustainable energy. We're not just developing a product – we're attempting to build an entire ecosystem that can adapt to the evolving needs of the energy market. In the future, we see potential for licensing our technology to other manufacturers, particularly in sectors like electric vehicles, further expanding our impact on the global energy landscape.

We plan to offer our residential battery system through an innovative financing model, with the potential for monthly payments as low as $100. This model aims to make our technology accessible to a wider range of consumers compared to the high upfront costs of current lithium-ion systems.

The $100/month would be for the battery system itself. Customers would still have their regular electric bill, but the battery system could potentially help reduce those costs by allowing customers to store energy when it's cheapest and use it during peak price periods.

Pricing will depend on unit size, and a user will generally not need more than two units to power a home. The goal is to offer a price point disruptive in nature, possibly saving on electricity bills.

Our goal is to offer our residential battery system at around $100 per month. The exact pricing for multiple units is still being determined, but our aim is to keep costs significantly lower than current lithium-ion alternatives while providing sufficient capacity for most homes.

Our goal is to offer our battery system at around $100 per month. Most homes will likely need only one or two units to meet their energy storage needs. Right now, a user will not need more than two units to power a home, with smaller units obviously those economics could change. The exact pricing for multiple units is still being determined, and will depend on the size of the unit, but our aim is to keep costs significantly lower than current lithium-ion alternatives while providing sufficient capacity for most homes.

We're focused on making our price point disruptive compared to options like the Tesla Powerwall, which can cost around $15,300 before tax credits, and more with solar panels or when installed by third party installers. 

By using our battery to store off-peak energy, customers can potentially save significantly on their electricity bills. For example, in San Diego, where peak energy costs can be 6 times higher than off-peak, using our battery could lead to substantial savings, effectively lowering the true cost of the subscription.

We're targeting a subscription cost of $100 per month for our residential battery system. As of now, it’s projected that our sodium technology can be manufactured for 30-60% cheaper than traditional lithium batteries. Actual production estimates and capital raising plans are still being finalized. What we can say is that we're currently seeking to raise $20 million to finalize R&D and begin initial production runs. Future updates will be provided to our investors as these plans are solidified.

The battery will be non-flammable, non-toxic, and recyclable, but it may be slightly heavier. This means Lithium might be better for Electric Vehicles at present.

And while our sodium-ion batteries offer significant advantages in terms of cost, safety, and sustainability, they may have slightly lower energy density compared to the most advanced lithium-ion batteries. For stationary applications, this is less critical than for electric vehicles. The benefits in terms of cost, safety, and abundant materials outweigh this potential drawback for our target markets.

Our sodium-ion technology addresses several key challenges of lithium-ion batteries. It's potentially safer due to non-flammable components, more affordable due to abundant raw materials, and more sustainable. It's designed to provide reliable energy storage for homes and businesses without the supply chain and environmental concerns associated with lithium.

NTT's battery is designed to be smaller and used after the meter, allowing for significantly faster market penetration compared to container-sized vanadium flow batteries used before the meter.

In short, our technology offers greater flexibility and easier installation for “after the meter” applications.

Vanadium flow batteries are often the size of containers and are used before the meter. Before the meter technology takes a lot longer because of the red tape associated with working with big utility infrastructure. 

Our sodium-ion batteries are designed for residential and commercial “behind-the-meter” applications, which helps the end consumer and can be as small as is needed (unlike the large container-sized vanadium flow batteries typically used for utility-scale "front-of-meter" storage). 

This focus allows us to bring our technology to market faster, avoiding much of the regulatory complexity associated with utility infrastructure.

In terms of specifics:

Cost: Our goal is to be significantly more affordable, with a $100/month subscription model.

Cycles: Our cells have demonstrated over 5000 cycles with 80% capacity retention in lab testing.

Lifespan: We're aiming for a 20+ year lifespan with minimal degradation.

Modular: Our technology is more compact and flexible, suitable for residential use, and avoids the supply chain issues associated with lithium batteries.

We also believe the future is basically forcing a move towards technology like this for many reasons, the least of which being China's control over Lithium and Lithium demand for EVs not being able to be met by the Lithium supply chain on its own.

While companies like CATL are also working on sodium-ion technology, we believe our focus on the U.S. market, our innovative cell design, and our business model focused on residential and commercial applications give us unique advantages. We're also further along in developing a safe, affordable, home-ready sodium-ion battery pack than most competitors.

Our focus on “behind-the-meter” solutions offers a faster path to market compared to “front-of-meter” technologies. Behind-the-meter refers to energy systems installed on the customer's side of the utility meter, like residential and commercial battery storage. These systems typically face fewer regulatory hurdles and can be deployed more quickly than large-scale, utility-side (front-of-meter) solutions.

This approach allows us to:

Bypass much of the red tape associated with utility-scale infrastructure projects.

Directly address the growing demand for residential and commercial energy storage.

Iterate and improve our technology more rapidly based on real-world usage.

Establish a market presence sooner, which is crucial in this fast-evolving industry.

By focusing on these more agile, customer-centric applications, we can potentially bring our technology to market faster than competitors focused solely on large-scale, utility-side solutions.

Our subscription model is designed to make energy storage significantly more accessible than current options like Tesla Powerwalls, which require large upfront investments. We're targeting a price point of $100 per month for our residential battery system.

This innovative approach offers several advantages:

Affordability: Our model could reduce costs to consumers by up to 90.6% in the first year compared to traditional lithium-based solutions.

Immediate Savings: Instead of a long payback period that takes years to recoup the initial investment, consumers can potentially start saving right away. Our system could pay for itself through energy bill savings, especially in areas with significant differences between peak and off-peak electricity prices.

Accessibility: By eliminating the need for a large upfront payment, we're making advanced energy storage technology available to a much wider range of consumers. This aligns with our mission to put a battery in every home.

Flexibility: Our modular design means customers can start with what they need and potentially add capacity over time without large additional investments.

Cost-Effective Technology: Our sodium-ion technology allows for production costs 30-60% lower than lithium-ion batteries, savings we can pass on to consumers.

By offering our technology at $100 per month, we're aiming to make home energy storage as common and accessible as other household appliances, revolutionizing the way people think about and use energy in their homes.

Sodium is 1,400 times more abundant than lithium, making it a more sustainable and cost-effective choice. It's also safer, as sodium-ion batteries don't pose the same fire risks as lithium-ion. Moreover, sodium can be sourced domestically in the U.S., reducing dependence on foreign supply chains.

The need is immediate and growing. With the explosion of AI, electric vehicles, and renewable energy, demand for energy storage is skyrocketing. At the same time, we're facing potential lithium shortages as soon as 2025. Our sodium-ion technology offers a timely solution to these pressing challenges.

Our innovative subscription model aims to make energy storage much more accessible. At $100/month, our system could potentially pay for itself through energy bill savings, especially in areas with large differences between peak and off-peak electricity prices. This could lead to significant cost savings for homeowners.

Energy is a recession-resistant and inflation-proof sector. Even during economic downturns, demand for electricity remains stable. Our technology represents a tangible asset that can retain value during inflationary periods, providing a hedge against economic uncertainty.

We're at a critical juncture. With our working prototype and plans for pilot production, we're poised for rapid growth. The $369 billion in government incentives for clean tech creates a favorable environment for our technology. By investing now, you have the opportunity to get in at a lower valuation before we potentially secure additional funding or government grants.

The U.S. government has created a highly favorable environment for clean energy innovation, particularly through the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). This legislation provides significant support for companies like Next Thing Technologies in several ways:

Substantial Funding: The IRA has earmarked $369 billion in incentives for clean tech, including advanced battery technologies. This represents one of the largest investments in clean energy in U.S. history.

Tax Credits: As a U.S. battery producer, we're eligible for up to $45 per kilowatt-hour in tax credits. For a company developing energy storage solutions, this could translate into substantial savings and accelerated growth.

Domestic Manufacturing Boost: The IRA strongly encourages domestic production. Our partnership with American Battery Manufacturers aligns perfectly with this goal, potentially making us eligible for additional incentives.

Long-Term Stability: The IRA provides multiple incentives over multiple years for investing in energy products like ours. This long-term commitment allows us to plan and invest with greater confidence.

Potential for Additional Funding: Beyond the IRA, we're actively pursuing other government grants and incentives. Our innovative sodium-ion technology positions us well to compete for these additional funds.

Market Growth Stimulation: The IRA is expected to drive over $3 trillion in investments in clean energy over the next decade. This will likely increase demand for energy storage solutions like ours.

Research and Development Support: The IRA includes provisions to support ongoing R&D in clean energy technologies, which could benefit our continued innovation efforts.

Supply Chain Incentives: The Act encourages the development of domestic supply chains for critical materials, which aligns with our use of abundant, U.S.-sourced sodium.

Interconnection and Grid Enhancement: The IRA and other recently passed legislation provides funding for grid infrastructure improvements, which could accelerate the integration of large-scale energy storage solutions like ours.

These incentives not only provide direct financial benefits but also create a supportive ecosystem for the growth of companies like ours. The government's commitment to the clean energy transition significantly de-risks investments in this sector, making Next Thing Technologies an even more attractive opportunity for investors looking to capitalize on this national priority.

For example, as we scale up to gigawatt-level production, we could be classified as critical energy infrastructure. This could lead to additional government support and protection. The government may be incentivized to do this because we’re developing batteries the grid desperately needs with materials sourced from the United States and manufactured by American companies, resulting in American jobs.

While the Inflation Reduction Act provides significant benefits, our business model isn't dependent on these incentives. We're building a company that can succeed based on the inherent advantages of our technology and its alignment with broader economic and security interests.

We believe Next Thing Technologies is well-positioned to thrive regardless of political shifts, for several reasons:

Bipartisan Appeal: Our technology addresses concerns from both sides of the political aisle. Democrats appreciate our contribution to green energy, while Republicans value our focus on American energy independence and domestic manufacturing.

Economic Benefits: Regardless of party affiliation, affordable, American-made batteries are good for the economy. They help keep energy prices down, which benefits consumers and businesses alike, including critical sectors like AI development.

American Manufacturing: Our focus on domestic production aligns with both parties' goals to strengthen U.S. manufacturing and reduce dependence on foreign suppliers.

Energy Security: In an era of increasing power outages and grid instability, our technology provides a solution that appeals to politicians and voters across the spectrum.

Technological Leadership: As the first U.S. company to build a home-ready sodium battery pack, we represent American innovation and leadership in a critical technology sector.

Job Creation: Our growth contributes to job creation in the U.S., a priority for any administration.

Critical Infrastructure: As we scale to gigawatt-level production, we could be classified as critical energy infrastructure. This status typically receives support and protection regardless of the administration in power.

Market Demand: Even without government incentives, there's a growing market demand for affordable, reliable energy storage solutions. Our technology is competitive on its own merits.

In short, whether the focus is on green energy initiatives or rebuilding American energy independence, Next Thing Technologies is positioned to play a crucial role. Our strategy is designed to be "politics-proof," ensuring that we can adapt and thrive under various political scenarios.