Columbia welcomes PHENOGY Inc.

A European company is charging up the city with energy and excitement, bringing a spark to Columbia after selecting it as its U.S. headquarters, following an extensive search.

For three decades, the Columbia World Affairs Council has partnered with the city of Columbia to build relationships with businesses worldwide, helping promote South Carolina's capital city. They believe PHENOGY Inc. brings both energy and potential to the area.

PHENOGY, a global leader in sustainable energy systems based in Switzerland, specializes in resilient battery storage technology. The headquarters will initially focus on expanding U.S. business development and product teams. 

Mayor Pro-Tem Will Brennan called PHENOGY's announcement a "shining example" of how collaboration and partnerships strengthen the city, positioning Columbia as a "beacon of pioneering industries."

"If you want to do something anywhere in the world, you can do it right here in Columbia," Brennan said. "We know we won’t be attracting a thousand-person headquarters from places like Atlanta, Charlotte, or D.C., but we're committed to growing, incubating companies, and making Columbia the best destination for entrepreneurs."

After a six-month search that included cities like Atlanta, Austin, Seattle, and Detroit, PHENOGY Inc. chose Columbia due to its commitment to sustainability and strong partnership opportunities with the University of South Carolina and local businesses.

Co-founder and CEO of PHENOGY Inc., Peter Braun, expressed his admiration for the city's collaborative spirit.

"When we visited Columbia, we saw how well all the industries here work together. For us to be embedded in such a functional ecosystem of people who collaborate was special," he said.

PHENOGY’s expansion aligns with Columbia’s push for energy innovation. In July 2024, the city secured more than $22 million in grants to support workforce development and battery technology research through projects led by the University of South Carolina and the South Carolina Technical College System. These investments not only reinforce Columbia’s position as a center for energy innovation but also create new opportunities for collaboration with companies like PHENOGY, further driving economic growth and technological advancement. Braun emphasized that PHENOGY is excited to work with the University of South Carolina and hire Richland County residents for their future site.

"The vision that Mayor Daniel Rickenmann shared with us about this city, county, and state, along with our vision at PHENOGY to provide sustainable energy storage solutions, really meshes well," Braun said.