Maxwell and Spark

Maxwell and Spark is a green-technology company that engineers and manufactures lithium-ion battery systems to replace diesel and lead-acid power in industrial logistics. The company was founded in Durban, South Africa, in 2017 and is now headquartered in Rotterdam, Netherlands, with operations in the EU, South Africa, and the USA. The CEO, Dr. Clinton Bemont, an academic with a PhD in Materials Engineering, founded the company after identifying a business opportunity in the industrial market for lithium-ion batteries in 2014. His background includes leading engineering teams in materials engineering and renewable energy, as well as participating in solar car challenges, which provided the foundational experience for the company's technology.Maxwell and Spark provides a unified battery ecosystem for applications such as forklifts, transport refrigeration units, and backup power. Its main product lines include "motive.li" for materials handling equipment and "fridge.li" for transport refrigeration. In 2018, Maxwell and Spark commercialized the world's first battery-powered transport refrigeration unit with a successful trial in the Spar truck fleet. The company's battery systems are designed to be modular, data-driven, and reduce operational costs, energy consumption, and carbon emissions for clients. It primarily serves industrial users, fleet operators, OEMs, and dealers in sectors like cold-chain logistics, warehousing, and distribution. Clients include major companies such as Unilever, Spar, Bidfood, and Coca-Cola.Maxwell and Spark has secured significant funding to support its global expansion. A Series A round was backed by Fairtree Elevant Ventures in October 2021. In 2025, the company closed a $15 million Series B round led by Klima, Alantra's Energy Transition Fund, with strategic investments from Chevron Technology Ventures and Idemitsu. This capital is intended to accelerate the deployment of its battery systems in Europe and the United States, scaling production from its manufacturing hubs in Durban, Rotterdam, and Dallas.