As demand for lithium-ion batteries continues to increase, those looking for growth stocks have taken a keen interest in how to invest in Ascend Elements stock and similar stocks. Since its founding in 2015, Ascend Elements has been developing a closed-loop system for lithium-ion battery production. The company sources materials from spent lithium-ion batteries and uses them to produce new batteries.
With electric vehicles representing the greatest force behind growing demand, the lithium-ion battery market is expected to increase considerably in value. According to research firm McKinsey & Co., the lithium-ion battery value chain -- from the mining of battery materials to the recycling of spent batteries -- will grow from about $85 billion in 2022 to more than $400 billion in 2030.
IPO
Is Ascend Elements publicly traded?
Ascent Elements completed a Series D funding round in February 2024, but it remains a privately held company. That leaves most investors unable to pick up shares. In addition to the equity that insiders own, various venture capital firms and other investors have taken positions in the company.
According to business intelligence company Crunchbase, Ascend Elements has raised a total of $1.7 billion over 14 funding rounds.
When will Ascend Elements IPO?
Investors with a higher risk tolerance to invest in growth companies may be keeping a keen eye on Ascend Elements in the hopes of buying the stock during its IPO. However, they'll have to keep waiting. Ascend Elements is not on the IPO calendar, and there's no sign the company plans to launch an IPO anytime soon.
How to buy Ascend Elements stock
While the majority of those looking to buy Ascend Elements stock are currently out of luck, accredited investors may be able to pick up shares even before the stock holds an IPO. Platforms like Forge Global (FRGE +0.65%) offer accredited investors the ability to invest in privately held companies, such as Ascend Elements.
If you aren't an accredited investor but still want exposure to lithium-ion battery companies like Ascend Elements, you're not completely out of luck. There are plenty of similar publicly traded companies to choose from.
To invest in any of these companies, follow these steps.
- Open your brokerage account: Log in to your brokerage account where you handle your investments.
- Search for the stock: Enter the ticker or company name into the search bar to bring up the stock's trading page.
- Decide how many shares to buy: Consider your investment goals and how much of your portfolio you want to allocate to this stock.
- Select order type: Choose between a market order to buy at the current price or a limit order to specify the maximum price you're willing to pay.
- Submit your order: Confirm the details and submit your buy order.
- Review your purchase: Check your portfolio to ensure your order was filled as expected and adjust your investment strategy accordingly.
Is Ascend Elements profitable?
As a privately held company, Ascend Elements doesn't have to submit regulatory filings, so it's difficult to say whether the company is making a profit yet.
However, regarding the top line of the income statement, the company seems to be generating revenue from processing end-of-life batteries and manufacturing scrap at a facility in Georgia, according to a 2022 press release. Construction on another facility in Kentucky is currently paused, but the company hopes it will open in 2026. And in May 2025, Poland offered the company up to $320 million to construct a facility in Poland.
The company has a $1 billion supply agreement with an unnamed customer for these battery materials. The agreement started in the first quarter of 2025 and has the potential to expand to $5 billion over several years.
Should I invest in Ascend Elements?
Since Ascend Elements hasn't held an IPO, the majority of investors cannot add this stock to their portfolios. If the company does complete an IPO, it will have to submit regulatory filings, enabling investors to gain greater insight into its financials. When this happens, investors will be able to make a more informed decision about whether the stock is right for them.
Accredited investors, on the other hand, may be able to gain exposure to Ascend Elements now. Of course, only those comfortable with taking on a more speculative investment should consider a position.
ETFs with exposure to Ascend Elements
Because Ascend Elements isn't a publicly traded company, investors can't gain exposure to the stock through an exchange-traded fund (ETF). But several lithium and battery tech ETFs provide exposure to stocks closely related to Ascend Elements.
Exchange-Traded Fund (ETF)
The bottom line on Ascend Elements
With lithium-ion battery demand expected to accelerate in the coming years, it's hardly shocking that investors have battery companies like Ascend Elements on their radars -- especially in light of the sizable production facility the company is developing in Kentucky. However, they'll have to wait before they can pick up shares.
Ascend Elements is still a privately held company, and there's no sign of an IPO in sight. Fortunately, investors have options -- from the indirect exposure afforded by Alliance Resource Partners to battery growth stocks like Enovix and QuantumScape, as well as various ETFs that focus on lithium, batteries, and green energy businesses.
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