Bilen Akuzum
Co-Founder, CTO at Aepnus Technology
San Francisco Bay Area, United States
About Bilen Akuzum
Bilen Akuzum is Co-Founder, CTO at Aepnus Technology. Location: San Francisco Bay Area, United States.
As a scientist and entrepreneur, I am driven by the challenge of translating innovative research into scalable, impactful solutions. As the Co-Founder and CTO of Aepnus, I lead the development and commercialization of a transformative electrolysis technology that recycles sodium sulfate waste—a byproduct of the battery industry—into high-value chemicals like sulfuric acid and caustic soda. My work focuses on bridging the gap between cutting-edge electrochemical engineering and the pressing needs of sustainable industrial processes. Leveraging my background in metallurgy, materials science, and electrochemical engineering, I bring a unique interdisciplinary perspective to scaling hardware technologies at the energy-water nexus. At Aepnus, I manage not only the design and diagnostics of electrochemical systems but also strategic technology scale-up and business development initiatives, guiding the company from pilot demonstrations to commercial deployment. Our patented solutions address critical supply chain and sustainability challenges in battery manufacturing, unlocking new efficiencies and reducing environmental impact. This journey has sharpened my skills in customer discovery, partnership building, and navigating the complexities of venture-backed cleantech startups. Beyond my professional career, I am also a video creator/editor, a decade-long musician, a science communicator, and a passionate educator. I thrive on learning and sharing knowledge with others. Keywords: #sustainability #technologycommercialization #electrolyzers #cellengineering #electrochemicalengineering #cleantech #criticalminerals #wastemanagement
Skills
Additional experience
Research Affiliate
Berkeley Lab
Started January 2020
Education
- BS, University of California, Berkeley
- Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Drexel University