Innovative Battery Cooling
How ivilion improves EV Performance
An Aachen-based RWTH spin-off is setting new benchmarks in electric vehicle (EV) performance. Founded in 2024, ivilion develops next-generation battery packs featuring structurally integrated cooling systems. This innovation enables rapid charging in under 10 minutes. This patented technology not only increases vehicle range by approximately 7% but also reduces manufacturing costs by up to 20% (excluding cells).
„We don’t change the cell, we rethink everything around it," explains Dr.-Ing. Jannik Bühring, Co-Founder and CEO of ivilion. "That’s how we unlock faster charging, lower production costs, and greater range."
What makes ivilion’s approach unique is its use of well-established and cost-efficient manufacturing techniques, which help minimize the number of components in each battery pack. This results in streamlined production, increased efficiency, and a design philosophy inspired by aerospace engineering.
The founding team combines academic and industry expertise. Jannik Bühring and Maximilian Schirp both studied Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at RWTH, with a focus on lightweight design and structural mechanics. Jana Maria Weinand holds a degree in Business Administration and completed her doctorate at the research chair of Innovation & Entrepreneurship at RWTH Aachen.
"Our mission is to bring aerospace-inspired innovation to the streets, making EVs faster, safer, and greener," says Weinand
The spin-off recently signed an exclusive license agreement with RWTH Aachen University, securing the rights to commercially use the university’s IP. This agreement provides the legal foundation for bringing the patented technology to market and reflects the close collaboration with RWTH. ivilion offers its innovative cooling technology to OEMs and Tier-1 suppliers, providing a competitive advantage through cost savings, faster charging, improved thermal management, and enhanced safety
ivilion's technological achievements have already earned widespread recognition. In 2024, the company received the prestigious RWTH Innovation Spin-Off Award, which honors outstanding spin-offs from the university. That same year, ivilion was awarded the € 35.000 Media Prize by Dieter von Holtzbrinck Ventures at the ATEC conference. The company had previously secured first place in the Innospace Masters ESA BIC Challenge in 2022.
Much of ivilion’s early progress was supported by RWTH Aachen. Their first prototypes were developed during the RWTH Innovation Sprint in 2023, and the team took part in both the Ideation and Incubation Program, which are designed to support start-ups in their early stages. Their office in the Collective Incubator has served as a hub for development since May 2024, and crucial team connections were formed at the RWTH Innovation Entrepreneurship Center.
Currently in the prototype phase, ivilion has already secured initial funding through a business angel round and is now preparing for a priced pre-seed investment. The team is growing, with new engineering working students joining, while commercial traction is being built through pilot collaborations with automotive partners.
Looking ahead, ivilion envisions itself as the Go-To supplier in high-performance EV battery packs. The company’s long-term goal is to accelerate the global transition to electric mobility through technologies that improve performance, sustainability, and efficiency, all without changing the battery cell itself.
For more information visit: www.ivilion.com