TechCrunch Startup News Telo raises $20 million to build tiny electric trucks for cities; also, Sila opens U.S. factory to make silicon anodes for energy dense EV batteries
Sep 24, 2025
A California startup is betting on tiny electric trucks for urban areas with their compact MT1 model, emphasizing practicality for city dwellers. Meanwhile, Sila has launched the first large-scale silicon anode factory on the West Coast, promising to enhance EV battery performance significantly. This facility aims to produce materials for tens of thousands of electric vehicles, while potentially reducing costs and dependency on foreign suppliers. Innovations like these may reshape the future of electric transportation.
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City-First Tiny Truck Strategy
- Tello targets urban truck use by building a compact pickup optimized for city streets and parking.
- The MT-1 prioritizes unit profitability, lean teams, and contract manufacturing to reach production quickly.
Founder Parking Frustration Sparked Design
- Jason Marks described circling San Francisco looking for parking as a key motivator for the MT-1's form factor.
- That personal frustration shaped Tello's aim to solve downtown mobility constraints.
Build Lean To Reach Production Faster
- Keep teams intentionally small and use consultants to conserve capital and speed execution.
- Focus on unit profitability first instead of raising massive capital for broad ambitions.