On June 24th, Tec Labs hosted another edition of its Breakfast with the CEO series, welcoming João Mendes, co-founder of KeepIt, for an insightful conversation on energy storage, innovation, and the challenges of building a deep-tech startup.
KeepIt is a spin-off from Ciências ULisboa developing hydropneumatic energy storage technology designed to support a more sustainable, resilient, and efficient energy system. During the session, João shared the origins of the company, which emerged from his doctoral research conducted alongside Professor Jorge Maia Alves, and explained how academic research evolved into a technology with real-world market potential.
Participants had the opportunity to learn more about KeepIt’s innovative approach to energy storage. The company is developing a modular and scalable solution capable of storing renewable energy efficiently and delivering it when needed, helping address one of the most critical challenges of the energy transition: balancing energy supply and demand.
João also provided an overview of the current stage of the technology, the company’s growth journey, and the role that investment and strategic partnerships have played in advancing the project. He highlighted the importance of understanding market needs and identifying applications where energy storage can create the greatest value. Rather than focusing on residential or small-building applications, KeepIt is exploring opportunities where its technology can address existing weaknesses in the energy system and generate meaningful impact.
The discussion also covered some of the broader challenges facing the energy sector. João explained how energy storage solutions can help prevent blackouts, improve grid resilience, and serve as an effective remedy during periods of instability. He also emphasized the importance of efficiency across different use cases, particularly in energy markets where the ability to store and sell energy effectively can significantly influence economic viability.
As with previous Breakfast with the CEO sessions, the event provided an opportunity for members of the Tec Labs community to engage directly with an entrepreneur, ask questions, exchange ideas, and gain valuable insights into the realities of building an innovation-driven company.
We would like to thank João Mendes for sharing KeepIt’s journey and vision with our community, and all participants who joined us for another inspiring morning of learning, networking, and entrepreneurship ✨
