Liberate
Recovering critical minerals for the energy transition Visit Company Siteview all current offersRisk Warning: Investing in early stage companies involves risk and should be done only as part of a diversified portfolio. Offers facilitated by Enterprise Angels are for Wholesale Investors who make their own investment decisions and understand the risks. Read the full risk warning.
Liberate is a clean technology spin‑out from Enterprise Angels portfolio company Mint Innovation, established as a standalone venture with Mint retaining a minority shareholding. The company is focused on recovering critical battery materials locally to support a more secure, lower‑emissions lithium‑ion battery supply chain.
As electric vehicle adoption accelerates, volumes of end‑of‑life lithium‑ion batteries are rising rapidly, while refining capacity remains capital‑intensive, centralised and heavily concentrated offshore. Today, more than 80% of global battery‑grade refining sits in China, creating cost, emissions and supply‑chain risk. Liberate addresses this challenge with a modular refining solution that can be deployed close to battery waste sources.
Liberate has developed a modular hydrometallurgical process that converts lithium‑ion battery black mass into battery‑grade lithium hydroxide, nickel sulphate and cobalt sulphate, with additional graphite recovery. The process avoids solvent extraction, lowering complexity and capital intensity, with each module designed to process around 5,000 tonnes per annum.
Liberate is led by CEO Dr Ollie Crush, co‑founder and former CSO of Mint Innovation, supported by an experienced technical, commercial and board team.
Liberate is raising up to $8m in a round led by Motion Capital, to fund a demonstration plant and prepare for commercial deployment.
REGION – Auckland
INDUSTRY – Technology
STAGE – Startup
INITIAL INVESTMENT DATE – May 2026
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We welcome engagement from anyone interested or involved in the early stage investment market – Investors, Angel Members, Strategic or Corporate Partners, Founders, Incubators or Accelerators, Deal Referrers, Acquisition Partners etc.