As Dragonfly Energy stands as a beacon of commitment to a greener future, we are proud to hold the title of the official “Go Green Sponsor” of Nevada Athletics, demonstrating our dedication to not only sustainability but going green right here in our community.
Dragonfly Energy | A Long-Time Partner of the Nevada Wolf Pack
Working closely with the University of Nevada, Reno has been invaluable to Dragonfly Energy—in various avenues. Many of our key team members are graduates of the University, we have recruited dozens of interns from Nevada’s College of Engineering, and are an annual supporter of the Sontag Entrepreneurship Competition, held by the College of Business.
Most recently, Dragonfly Energy expanded our support for the University of Nevada, becoming a proud sponsor of Nevada Wolf Pack Athletics.
The Official ‘Go Green’ Partner of Nevada Wolf Pack Athletics
As a long-time supporter of the University of Nevada, Reno, Dragonfly Energy is the official ‘Go Green’ partner of Nevada Wolf Pack Athletics. Through our newest athletics partnership with the University, we are proud to back Wolf Pack Football and Men’s and Women’s Basketball, starting this 2023-24 season.
Kicking off the year with Nevada Football, Dragonfly Energy has been a dedicated supporter of the Pack at Mackay Stadium, the home of Wolf Pack Football and Wolf Pack Soccer.
Following the commencement of Nevada Football, Lawlor Events Center housed the Men’s Basketball season opener. On a significant night inside the arena, Nevada took the win over Sacramento State, 77 to 63, and celebrated ‘Go Green Night,’ presented by Dragonfly Energy.
During the home opener, Dragonfly offered guidance on sustainability efforts to Wolf Pack fans, handed out reusable straws to attendees wanting to take their first step in sustainability practices, and shared our advice on “10 Ways to Go Green”. Additionally, the CEO of Dragonfly Energy, Dr. Denis Phares, was presented with the game ball during the first half of the Nevada vs. Sacramento matchup and also sat down for a halftime radio interview to discuss how Dragonfly Energy is leading the green energy storage industry and providing solutions for reliable, clean power.
Employees also showed their support for the Nevada Wolfpack in the Dragonfly Energy Fan Section of Lawlor Events Center and proudly represented ‘Go Green’ Night firsthand.
As an incredible first event with Nevada Men’s Basketball, we look forward to continue guiding Wolf Pack fans and our northern Nevada community on sustainability efforts and all the ways we can all Go Green.
Nevada Support | Headquarters Based in the Silver State
With our many ties to the University, they really all trace back to one. Founder and CEO of Dragonfly Energy, Dr. Denis Phares, has a strong history with the University of Nevada, Reno, and has continued to look for opportunities to stay connected since his beginning as a Wolf Pack student. After parting from academia, Dr. Phares left his home in Southern California and moved to Reno, Nevada to obtain his MBA from the University of Nevada, Reno’s College of Business. Why the Wolf Pack? Denis sought to plant his mission and a company’s roots in the local community and decided to make the Silver State the home of Dragonfly Energy.
Intending to capitalize on Nevada’s abundant lithium resources and make domestic manufacturing of lithium-ion cells both possible and affordable, Phares’ Dragonfly Energy now develops some of the most popular lithium-ion battery products through the Battle Born Batteries brand while advancing the future of battery technology–all right here in Reno, Nevada.
Dragonfly Energy’s home base signifies Denis’ commitment to the local community and the state’s economy. By basing operations in Reno, he has not only rooted himself in northern Nevada but has also created jobs and opportunities for the local workforce, including graduates like himself from the University of Nevada, Reno.
Supporting Ideas | Dragonfly Energy Innovation Award at the Sontag Entrepreneurship Competition
Committed to integrating our roots with our business and ultimate mission, Dragonfly Energy has funded a unique opportunity for young innovators at the University of Nevada, Reno.
Back in 2014, Dragonfly Energy’s very own Denis Phares competed for the annual $50,000 award at the Sontag Entrepreneurship Competition put on by the University of Nevada, Reno’s College of Business. As a finalist in the competition, this inspired Phares and Dragonfly Energy to participate in supporting the ideas of innovators. The Dragonfly Energy Innovation Award, a $10,000 award funded by Dragonfly Energy, is now awarded annually to one of the five Sontag Award finalists, given to the team deemed “the most innovative” in the competition.
Workforce Development
A fair percentage of Dragonfly Energy’s dedicated team is made up of Nevada alumni, and we are proud to work closely with various university departments on internship programs, including participation in the Wolf Pack STEM Internship Program. Dragonfly’s top scientists have given numerous guest lectures to the College of Engineering and College of Science since 2021, introducing Li-ion electrochemistry and manufacturing fundamentals to students, and have served on panels for the University, including for the Society of Women Engineers and Manufacture Nevada.
Our research and development department brings on four to six interns per semester across many STEM disciplines to support Dragonfly Energy’s focus on the future of battery technology, and has greatly utilized roughly 15 interns in the department since the introduction of the program in 2021.
Director Research and Development, Dr. Vick Singh said, “Dragonfly Energy’s R&D team, specifically, has welcomed many University of Nevada, Reno student interns into the labs to support our research efforts in battery science, materials characterization, and manufacturing processes. We are proud to and look forward to continuing our recruitment with Nevada—helping to develop each University student’s workforce experience and bringing strong work ethic and skills to the Dragonfly Energy team.”
Continued Support from the University of Nevada, Reno President & Former Nevada Governor, Brian Sandoval
University President Brian Sandoval has been a long-time supporter of Dragonfly Energy and our efforts towards sustainability and putting Nevadans to work. As a politician, academic administrator, former federal judge, and a Nevada alum himself, Sandoval served as the 29th Governor of the state of Nevada from 2011 to 2019 before being appointed as the 17th president of the University of Nevada, Reno in 2020.
Dr. Denis Phares, CEO of Dragonfly Energy and a University of Nevada, Reno alum, recently sat down with the University President to discuss the opportunities at hand–where Dragonfly Energy is headed in the Silver State, Nevada as a lithium hub, and recruiting graduates from the University.
To listen to the interview, check out The Li-MITLESS Energy Podcast: Lithium, Tesla & the Future of Nevada’s Newest Industry, with guest Brian Sandoval.
Honored Recipient of the Nevada Alumni Association’s 2023 Silver & Blue Award
This year, Dragonfly Energy was selected as the recipient of the 2023 Silver & Blue Award by the Nevada Alumni Association. The Silver & Blue Award is granted to a recipient that supports the University, has significantly enriched the advancement of the college, and has contributed to its reputation as a leading institution of higher education.
Dragonfly Energy is proud to be the 2023 recipient of The Silver & Blue Reward and will continue its support to The University of Nevada, Reno, through initiatives just like the Nevada Wolf Pack Athletics ‘Go Green’ partnership.
Lithium-Ion Batteries: Building a Sustainable Future for Nevada & Beyond
Central to Dragonfly Energy’s mission is revolutionizing smart energy storage to enable the widespread conversion to safe, affordable renewable energy. Denis Phares, chose Reno, Nevada, to be the home of Dragonfly Energy, seeing an opportunity with Nevada’s natural resources rich in lithium and wanting to settle an impactful organization not just domestically, but right here in the Silver State. Phares’ long-term goal, and the goal of many local companies in the industry, including the established partners of the Nevada Battery Coalition, is to close the lithium loop in Nevada while working closely within the community and with the University of Nevada, Reno to put Americans to work.
