# Dan Cook

> Dan Cook is the CEO, Co-founder, and Investor at Lyten Inc, a San Jose-based deep-tech company pioneering 3D Graphene supermaterial and next-generation lithium-sulfur batteries. With over three decades spanning General Motors, NeXT Computer (under Steve Jobs), Bay Networks/Nortel, and private equity at Cerberus Capital, Cook pivoted to found Lyten in 2015 around a serendipitous discovery: trying to turn methane into clean hydrogen, the team accidentally created a revolutionary 3D graphene material. Under his leadership, Lyten has raised over $1.2 billion, shipped lithium-sulfur A-samples to automotive and military customers, announced the world's first lithium-sulfur gigafactory in Reno, Nevada, and in 2025-2026 acquired significant Northvolt assets across Europe to become one of the largest battery manufacturers on the continent.

- **Role:** CEO, Co-founder & Investor at Lyten Inc
- **Organizations:** Lyten Inc, Cerberus Capital Management, Tenex Capital Management, Bay Networks/Nortel, NeXT Computer, General Motors, OperaNet Inc, Radius Inc, Emerald Hills LLC
- **Nationality:** American
- **Education:** Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering (Digital Controls and Robotics), Stanford University, Additional Study, University of Michigan
- **Known for:** Named to 2024 Silicon Valley Power 100, Led Lyten to raise over $1.2 billion in total funding, Shipped world's first lithium-sulfur A-samples in cylindrical and pouch format to automotive, consumer electronics, and military customers (May 2024)

## Career timeline

- **1982-1988** — General Motors - Engineering, Operations, Product Development and Supply Chain
- **1988-1993** — NeXT Computer - Operations, Product Management (worked alongside Steve Jobs)
- **1993-1996** — Radius Inc - Vice President General Manager
- **1996-2002** — Bay Networks/Nortel - Vice President Operations, Mergers & Acquisitions
- **2002-2004** — OperaNet Inc - Founder and CEO
- **2004-2009** — Cerberus Capital Management - Operating Executive (tech and industrial sectors)
- **2009-2011** — Emerald Hills, LLC - Principal
- **2011-2014** — Tenex Capital Management - Operating Partner
- **2014** — Joined Lyten as co-founder
- **2015** — Lyten Inc officially founded; Cook becomes CEO
- **2023** — Lyten raises Series B including Stellantis investment
- **2024** — Named to Silicon Valley Power 100; $4M DOE grant; A-samples shipped to automotive and military customers; Cuberg acquisition; Northvolt acquisition announced; World's first lithium-sulfur gigafactory announced (Reno, NV)
- **2025** — Lyten raises $200M; Northvolt Dwa (Poland) acquired; Northvolt Sweden assets acquired; US battery-grade lithium production launched; Motorsports venture launched
- **2026** — Northvolt Sweden acquisition completed; First Lyten Industrial Hubs established in Sweden and Poland

## Achievements

- Named to 2024 Silicon Valley Power 100
- Led Lyten to raise over $1.2 billion in total funding
- Shipped world's first lithium-sulfur A-samples in cylindrical and pouch format to automotive, consumer electronics, and military customers (May 2024)
- Announced world's first lithium-sulfur gigafactory (Reno, Nevada - targeting 10 GWh annual production, October 2024)
- Secured $650M Export Import Bank Line of Intent (December 2024)
- Led acquisition of Northvolt assets across Poland, Sweden, and Germany (2025-2026)
- Established Lyten as one of Europe's largest battery manufacturing operations
- Oversaw US launch of battery-grade lithium-metal production (April 2025)
- Led company recognized as Fast Company #8 Most Innovative Energy Company (2024)
- Led company recognized by Time Magazine as one of World's Top Green Tech Companies (2025)
- Acquired 20+ hardware and software startups across career
- Founded OperaNet Inc as founder/CEO prior to Lyten

## Latest updates

- **2026-02** — Lyten completed acquisition of Northvolt Sweden, establishing first Lyten Industrial Hub in Skellefteå, Sweden - one of Europe's largest battery manufacturing campuses.
- **2025-10** — Lyten completed acquisition of Northvolt Dwa facility in Gdansk, Poland (6 GWh capacity).
- **2025-07** — Lyten raised $200M in latest funding round (total: $1.217B).
- **2025-05** — Lyten launched new Motorsports venture bringing ultra-lightweight 3D Graphene composites to automotive racing.
- **2025-04** — Lyten launched US production of battery-grade lithium-metal.
- **2024-10** — Announced world's first lithium-sulfur gigafactory in Reno, Nevada, targeting 10 GWh annual production.
- **2024-09** — Silicon Valley Business Journal published 'Five Questions With Lyten CEO Dan Cook.'
- **2024-05** — Shipped lithium-sulfur battery A-samples to automotive, consumer electronics, and military customers.
- **2024-02** — Named to 2024 Silicon Valley Power 100.

## Links

- Website: https://lyten.com
- LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/dan-cook-1b10ba12
- Twitter/X: https://x.com/dancook100
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/lyten.inc/

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/dan-cook
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-06-28