Dragon Q Energy Closes $750,000 Pre-Seed Round to Advance Safe, Efficient and Robust Energy Storage

Dragon Q Energy (DQE), a Santa Barbara-based battery energy storage company, announced the successful close of its $750,000 pre-seed funding round. DQE is pioneering off-grid battery energy storage systems built on a foundation of safety and efficiency, engineered to deliver reliable power where traditional infrastructure fails.

At the core of DQE’s innovation is a sealed, underground battery system that uses non-flammable gases to virtually eliminate fire risk. Instead of using HVAC or other active methods of cooling which draw power from the system, DQE  leverages the earth’s natural insulation for passive geothermal cooling, enabling consistent performance in extreme temperatures while maintaining system efficiency. 

Built upon this battery technology is DQE’s PowerPole which integrates solar generation and satellite internet into a single, rapidly deployable platform. Designed to operate far beyond the reach of the grid, the system provides dependable energy in the most extreme and remote environments with minimal set-up required. Whether for humanitarian aid, military operations, commercial applications, or telecom infrastructure, the PowerPole is built to perform under any condition. 

Funding Overview: The pre-seed round combines strategic investments from numerous individual backers, a grant from the UCSB Bren School of Environmental Science & Management and California Nanosystems Institute(CNSI), and a preferred interest loan facilitated by the James S. Bower Foundation. These are helping to propel the development and demonstration of DQE’s patented battery systems. 

Funds Will Cover

Product Readiness: Finalized engineering and production of three Minimum Viable Product (MVP) PowerPole and battery pack units, advancing the system to Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 8 for field deployment.

Regulatory Compliance: Complete rigorous safety testing for UL and UN standards, ensuring compliance for global shipping and deployment.

Manufacturing Scalability: Securing partnerships for pilot-scale production, including collaboration with Huison Battery for UL-certified contract manufacturing.

Upcoming Projects:

 

Community Pilots: Working with partners including Unite to Light and the James S. Bower Foundation, DQE is deploying 10 PowerPole units in the Santa Barbara area. These deployments are focusing on the humanitarian aspects of the PowerPole technology, to provide  back up and emergency power to critical infrastructure. Committed deployments include units to local NGO’s with other sites including municipalities and university campuses shaping up.

Telecom Validation Project: Working in tandem with Cal Poly  5G Innovation hub, led by Jonathan Poly to deploy 25 BEACON - Battery-Enabled Autonomous Cellular Off-grid Node units at Swanton Ranch. This technology is DQE’s core battery technology outfitted for extreme remote and demanding telecommunication deployments far beyond the reaches of the grid without fixed communication backhaul.  Through this validation project, DQE is working to demonstrate telecommunication capabilities of the technology, specifically focusing on supporting multiple commercial carriers and increasing bandwidth capacity. 

International Validation: Alexander Mintsa, one of DQE’s business development interns from UC Santa Barbara is working to fill a letter of intent (LOI)  from the  Gabon Office of Investment which he facilitated while traveling home during one of the semester breaks. He is working to fulfill his mission of  bringing electricity and digital access to villages that have never had either. The LOI is for 2 units which the Gabonese office of investment will use to  try, decide and potentially buy PowerPole units.

Strategic Partners: 

Dragon Q Energy is actively collaborating with partners across its humanitarian, commercial, telecom, and military verticals to develop, validate, and deploy its groundbreaking battery technology. Current partners include a Fortune 500 oil and gas company exploring the technology’s potential for remote power stations, private networks, and off-grid connectivity; an advanced imaging firm interested in powering optical sensors and integrated platforms; and several telecommunications and edge computing companies positioning Dragon Q’s solution at the forefront of rugged edge infrastructure. The company is also working with local humanitarian nonprofits and commercial lighting manufacturers to expand access and applications across diverse environments.

What's Next? 

Despite meaningful progress, Dragon Q Energy continues to require growth capital to expand manufacturing, scale pilot programs, and accelerate market entry for its robust energy solutions. The company plans to formally open its anticipated $2–3 million seed round in the summer of 2025, with funds dedicated to advancing its core battery technology and PowerPole platform from pilot stage to commercial readiness. This investment will support additional U.S. and international deployments, help scale production capabilities, positioning Dragon Q Energy for a successful Series A, allowing for long-term impact in climate resilience, energy access, and infrastructure reliability in the world’s most demanding environments.

Quote from Leadership

“This funding is a testament to our mission to build safe, efficient, and robust batteries that go to work where other systems can’t,” said Daniel Casey, CEO of Dragon Q Energy. “With the PowerPole, we’re building a platform based on our core battery system for reliable, off-grid power, communications, and connectivity in the world’s most demanding environments.”

About Dragon Q Energy

Dragon Q Energy designs safe, efficient, and robust battery systems for demanding environments. By utilizing non-flammable gases in a sealed enclosure and burying the units underground, their technology eliminates fire risk and leverages geothermal cooling to perform reliably in extreme temperatures. The company’s flagship product, the PowerPole, integrates solar generation, satellite internet and their robust battery packs into one rugged, off-grid platform.