NANOM EHF

Their core work

NANOM EHF is an Icelandic deep-tech SME developing nanotechnology-enhanced battery energy storage systems (BESS) for stationary grid and distributed energy applications. Their core innovation applies nanoparticle engineering to improve battery performance for behind-the-meter (BTM) deployments in commercial, industrial, and residential mini-grid contexts. They progressed from a validated feasibility concept through to full-scale product development under the EU SME Instrument, suggesting they hold proprietary IP in nano-enhanced energy storage. Their commercial targets include smart city infrastructure and off-grid or semi-grid residential communities.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

NANOM EHF's entire H2020 track record is a single project — Nano-Edison — pursued in two phases under the SME Instrument. The 2019 Phase 1 feasibility study carried no detailed keywords, indicating an early-stage concept validation around stationary energy storage. By the 2020 Phase 2, the project crystallized into a specific technology stack: nanoparticle-enhanced batteries deployed for BTM and mini-grid markets, with smart cities as the commercial context. There is no evidence of earlier or divergent research areas — this is a focused startup that has moved in one disciplined direction from proof-of-concept to development.

NANOM is scaling a validated nano-battery concept toward commercial deployment in BTM and mini-grid markets — they are at the transition from R&D to market entry, making them an attractive partner for pilot projects or distribution partnerships in energy storage.

How they like to work

NANOM has acted exclusively as coordinator in both their H2020 projects, with only one recorded consortium partner across their entire participation history. This points to a very lean, IP-driven startup model where they retain control of the technology and bring in minimal external partners. Anyone considering working with them should expect to be in a supporting or service role rather than a co-equal technical partner.

NANOM's EU research network is minimal — one unique partner in one country across two projects. This is atypical even for SMEs and suggests the organization operates as a closed innovation unit, likely relying on internal expertise rather than broad academic or industry consortia.

What sets them apart

NANOM occupies a rare niche as an Icelandic SME combining nanoparticle material science with practical battery storage engineering — a combination that is uncommon in Northern Europe's startup landscape. Their successful progression through both phases of the EU SME Instrument (from €50K feasibility to €1.87M development grant) demonstrates that their technology concept survived rigorous EU evaluation. For consortium builders, they offer proprietary nano-enhanced battery IP from a credible, independently validated source in a country with strong energy sector credibility.

Highlights from their portfolio

• Nano-Edison (Phase 2)
  A €1.876M SME Instrument Phase 2 award — one of the largest grants available to individual SMEs — validating the commercial readiness of their nano-enhanced BESS technology for BTM and mini-grid markets.
• Nano-Edison (Phase 1)
  The Phase 1 feasibility grant that established the commercial and technical case for nanotechnology in stationary storage, directly enabling the larger Phase 2 award one year later.