Friday, October 31, 2008

Boston-Power celebrates Westborough location expansion

Lithium-ion battery developer Boston-Power Inc. cut the ribbon on its expanded facility in Westborough today, adding more than 12,000 square feet to its research and production facilities. In conjunction with the opening, the company also reported it has grown to more than 500 employees globally, from just a handful when it was founded in 2005.

According to company statements, officials expect to continue to add personnel locally, as well as at an additional manufacturing facility in China.

Founded by battery technology researcher Christina Lampe-Onnerud, Boston-Power aims to bring safer and higher performance batteries to portable power applications, including laptops, consumer electronics and hybrid and electric vehicles. The company’s first product, called Sonata, is aimed at notebook computers, and is expected to hit the market in 2009 through a partnership with “one of the world’s top providers of notebook PCs,” according to executives. Lampe-Onnerud was named a Mass High Tech “Woman to Watch” in March 2007 .

Boston-Power is well-funded, raising more than $68 million since its inception, including a $45 million round that closed early this year. Investors include Oak Investment Partners of Westport, Conn., Venrock Associates of Cambridge and Granite Global Ventures and Gabriel Venture Partners, both of California.