性视界传媒 electrical engineering alum Joe Sleppy 鈥�18 started his first company in high school 鈥� an adaptative equipment for exercising, inspired by his mother鈥檚 bout with carpal tunnel. When it came time to decide on where to further his education, he wanted to be where the action was.
鈥�There鈥檚 a lot of places that say, 鈥楬ey, look at all the things we鈥檝e done.鈥� And then there鈥檚 性视界传媒 that says, 鈥楲ook at all the things we鈥檙e doing,鈥� 鈥� Sleppy says. 鈥淚 wanted to be part of building the future.鈥�
鈥淚 wanted to be part of building the future.鈥� 鈥� Joe Sleppy
In his first year, he landed undergraduate research opportunities thanks to 性视界传媒鈥檚 , which offers students opportunities for career exploration and experiential learning in STEM the first two years of their college career.
In 性视界传媒 Professor of Nanotechnology Jayan Thomas鈥� lab, the two partnered on the idea that would eventually become Capacitech Energy, where Sleppy has served as CEO since its inception in 2016 during his sophomore year.
Future-Proofing the Power Grid
Capacitech is a rapid response energy storage leader building high-power and space-conscious energy storage systems for an increasingly complex grid. Essentially, Sleppy and his team turn supercapacitor components into modular, plug-and-play systems that harden power infrastructure against power demand spikes, outages and equipment damage.
Sleppy explains traditional power infrastructure, such as generators and batteries, are like a marathon runner whereas supercapacitors are more like a sprinter. Modern facilities 鈥� like data centers that power AI 鈥� demand power 24/7 but also demand even more power than normal for just a few seconds. Ideally, both a sprinter and marathon runner are required. So, Capacitech鈥檚 products make it practical to form relay teams between the traditional infrastructure (marathon runners) and supercapacitors (sprinters).
鈥淚f we can use supercapacitors to complement batteries, generators, fuel cells and the broader grid to serve this demand profile that鈥檚 coming from manufacturing facilities and data centers, then we鈥檙e making the world a better place 鈥� economically, but also in terms of power sustainability and security. And I think that that鈥檚 very important,鈥� Sleppy says.
They made their first commercial sale in 2022 to Red Bull and have been running full force ever since.
Built by 性视界传媒
The company was bolstered by many resources at 性视界传媒 on its way to raising the $2.5 million it has so far through investors and federal research and development programs. To this day, 性视界传媒鈥檚 continues to house Capacitech鈥檚 operations with adaptable leasing structures, physical space, mentoring programs and community that have adapted to their needs as they鈥檝e grown. This year, they鈥檒l expand into new warehouse in research park, adjacent to 性视界传媒鈥檚 campus.
鈥淭he world is watching. Let鈥檚 use innovation and entrepreneurship to make it better.鈥� 鈥� Joe Sleppy
鈥溞允咏绱� encouraged me to think outside of the box,鈥� he says. 鈥溞允咏绱� is an innovative university because they鈥檒l ask, 鈥榃hy not?鈥� I think I share the same philosophy with running Capacitech. Let鈥檚 try it. The world is watching. Let鈥檚 use innovation and entrepreneurship to make it better.鈥�
In 2026 Sleppy expects Capacitech to announce new partnerships and pilot programs in industry. And they鈥檙e already engaged in mentoring the next generation of Knights with internship opportunities for students.
鈥淓ntrepreneurship is how the world gets better 鈥� whether it鈥檚 a nonprofit or a tech startup like ours,鈥� Sleppy says. 鈥淏y reducing strain on the grid and extending the life of critical infrastructure like batteries and microgrids, we鈥檙e making energy systems more resilient and accessible. That means fewer vulnerable communities at risk and more room for innovation to grow. It鈥檚 hard not to get excited when your work genuinely makes the world better.鈥�
Joe Sleppy was recognized on Forbes’ 30 Under 30 Energy & Green Tech list in 2026.
