ACT-ion Signals Commercial Pivot with New CEO Mark McGough

DALLAS, TX – August 25, 2026 – ACT-ion Battery Technologies, Inc., a developer of advanced cathode materials, has appointed energy technology veteran Mark McGough as its new Chief Executive Officer, a strategic move signaling a decisive shift from research and development to aggressive commercialization. Founder and former CEO Jin Lim will transition to the role of Chief Technology Officer, sharpening his focus on the company's core technology platform.

The leadership change comes at a pivotal moment for the Dallas-based firm. With a recently established pilot manufacturing facility in Carrollton, Texas, and fresh capital from strategic investors, ACT-ion is gearing up to scale its innovative, low-cost process for producing cathode active materials (CAMs)—the most expensive component in a lithium-ion battery. McGough's appointment is a clear statement of intent to translate the company's technological promise into market-ready products and significant supply chain impact.

A Seasoned Hand at the Helm

Mark McGough brings to ACT-ion a formidable track record spanning over 25 years in commercializing new energy technologies and scaling high-growth ventures. His career is marked by a consistent ability to shepherd innovative concepts from the lab to full-scale manufacturing, a skill set precisely aligned with ACT-ion's current needs. Across his various leadership roles, he has successfully raised more than $200 million in private equity, strategic, and venture capital.

His most notable prior success was as President and CEO of Ioxus, an ultracapacitor manufacturer. Under his leadership, Ioxus grew from a startup into a significant player with nearly $100 million in cumulative revenue, establishing manufacturing operations in both North America and Asia. More recently, McGough took the helm at Clean Energy Systems, a carbon-free combustion technology company, with a mandate to accelerate its commercial footprint. His experience also includes senior positions at Maxwell Technologies (later acquired by Tesla), Pentadyne Power Corp., and Hartland Controls, earning him recognition from the World Economic Forum and Inc. Magazine.

McGough's mandate at ACT-ion is clear: lead the company's next growth phase by focusing on commercial scale-up, securing customer qualifications, forging strategic partnerships, and raising further capital. He will be responsible for transforming the company's Carrollton pilot plant into a cornerstone of a larger domestic manufacturing capacity.

"ACT-ion has built a strong technical foundation with a platform that can address some of the most urgent challenges in battery materials manufacturing," McGough stated. "With cathode materials representing over one-half the material cost of lithium batteries, ACT-ion's new production process is a game-changer. I am excited to join the company at this important stage and help translate its technology into commercial scale, customer adoption, and long-term value for the battery supply chain."

The 'Game-Changing' Technology Platform

At the heart of ACT-ion's strategy is its proprietary manufacturing process for cathode active materials (CAMs). CAMs are the critical ingredient that determines a battery's performance, cost, and lifespan. The conventional method for producing them is a complex, energy-intensive, and costly batch process. ACT-ion aims to disrupt this with its "Hydro4Crystal" technology, a rapid, continuous process that produces high-performance coated single-crystal CAMs.

The company's platform is distinguished by several key advantages. First, it promises significant cost reductions and a smaller environmental footprint by using less energy and water while eliminating harmful byproducts. Second, its continuous nature allows for higher throughput and a more streamlined manufacturing flow compared to traditional methods. This innovation was recognized with a prestigious R&D 100 award in 2024.

Crucially, the process is "chemistry-agnostic." While many manufacturers are locked into specific battery chemistries, ACT-ion has demonstrated its platform's effectiveness across various materials, including the cost-effective Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) and high-performance, high-nickel Nickel-Cobalt-Manganese (NCM) chemistries. This flexibility allows the company to pivot with market trends and serve a broader customer base. The technology is also being applied to next-generation materials like Lithium Manganese Iron Phosphate (LFMP) and, through a collaboration with Argonne National Laboratory, even sodium-ion battery materials, underscoring its versatility.

Founder's Vision Meets Executive Execution

The leadership transition represents a classic and often crucial evolution for a technology startup: pairing a visionary founder with a seasoned executive skilled in execution and scaling. By moving into the Chief Technology Officer role, Jin Lim can now dedicate his full attention to strengthening ACT-ion's technological edge, overseeing the scale-up of the manufacturing process, and driving future product innovation.

This strategic division of labor allows each leader to leverage their core strengths. Lim, the architect of the company's core technology, will ensure the innovation pipeline remains robust. McGough, the proven commercial operator, will build the business infrastructure necessary to bring that innovation to the global market.

"With the establishment of our pilot manufacturing facility in Carrollton, ACT-ion is entering a new phase of commercial growth," said Jin Lim. "Mark's track record in scaling advanced energy ventures, building strategic partnerships, and securing growth capital will be vital as we expand our manufacturing footprint and customer base. I eagerly look forward to working with Mark, and now as full-time CTO, I can focus on strengthening our technological edge while supporting our broader market expansion." This partnership model is designed to de-risk the perilous journey from pilot production to mass manufacturing, a chasm where many promising hardware startups falter.

Market Context and Strategic Backing

ACT-ion's commercial push is timed to coincide with explosive growth and profound shifts in the global battery market. The CAM market alone was valued at over $28 billion in 2025 and is projected to surge past $74 billion by 2034, driven primarily by the global transition to electric vehicles. However, this market is fraught with challenges, including a supply chain heavily concentrated in China—which controlled 87% of CAM production in 2024—and intense cost pressures.

ACT-ion is positioning itself as a key enabler of a more resilient and cost-effective domestic battery supply chain, a strategic priority for the U.S. government. The company's Dallas-area location and its support from the U.S. Department of Energy reinforce this alignment.

This strategic positioning has attracted significant investor interest. In 2025, ACT-ion, which was spun out of Hunt Energy Enterprises, secured a total of $11.5 million in a Pre-Series A funding round. The round was led by BASF Venture Capital, the investment arm of one of the world's largest chemical producers and a major player in the CAM market. Other prominent investors include LG Technology Ventures, Mirae Asset Capital, and Arosa Capital Management, signaling strong confidence from both strategic industrial players and financial institutions.

Investors have highlighted the company's potential to solve critical industry bottlenecks. One investor noted that ACT-ion's ability to produce high-performance CAMs in a cheaper and more environmentally friendly way is "essential for overcoming the current 'EV chasm'." Another commented that the technology could be a "pivotal enabler of domestic CAM manufacturing." With a proven leader, validated technology, and powerful market tailwinds, ACT-ion appears well-equipped to make its mark on the rapidly evolving energy landscape.