# David Snydacker

> David Snydacker founded Lilac Solutions in 2016 after researching battery materials at Northwestern University. A Wesleyan graduate and former rock-band drummer, he developed lithium-selective ion exchange technology to address the battery supply chain. He served as CEO until February 2024 and is now Lilac’s President and Chief Technology Officer, leading technology and materials manufacturing work as the company advances toward commercial projects.

- **Role:** Founder, President & Chief Technology Officer at Lilac Solutions
- **Organizations:** Lilac Solutions, Northwestern Energy Technology Group, Northwestern Energy and Sustainability Consortium, Red Wire Black Wire
- **Education:** BA; Chemistry and Molecular Biology & Biochemistry, Wesleyan University, PhD in Materials Science and Engineering, Northwestern University
- **Known for:** Founded Lilac Solutions in 2016., Lilac won $15,000 in the green energy and sustainability track of the 2016 Northwestern Venture Challenge., Developed ion exchange extraction technology from materials research at Northwestern.

## Career timeline

- **2009** — Completed undergraduate studies at Wesleyan.
- **2011–2013** — Co-founded and co-directed the Northwestern Energy and Sustainability Consortium.
- **2012–2013** — President of the Northwestern Energy Technology Group.
- **2014** — Began exploring lithium extraction during his PhD, according to his 2017 founder interview.
- **2015** — Drafted Lilac’s initial business plan.
- **2016** — Completed Northwestern PhD and founded Lilac Solutions; company won the Northwestern Venture Challenge green energy track.
- **2017** — DOE SBIR funding enabled him to work full time as Lilac CEO.
- **2020** — Lilac raised a $20 million Series A.
- **2024-02** — Following a $145 million Series C, handed CEO role to Raef Sully and became President and CTO.
- **2025-12** — Co-authored a technical essay with Amos Indranada on miniaturizing lithium processing plants.

## Achievements

- Founded Lilac Solutions in 2016.
- Lilac won $15,000 in the green energy and sustainability track of the 2016 Northwestern Venture Challenge.
- Developed ion exchange extraction technology from materials research at Northwestern.
- Led Lilac through fundraising totaling $315 million reported in February 2024.

## Latest updates

- **2026-09** — Lilac announced the Kachi project’s environmental approval in Catamarca, Argentina; project was advancing into FEED.
- **2026-08** — Lilac announced selection for a $100 million DOE award for Great Salt Lake Phase 1, subject to final negotiations; target production by 2028.
- **2026-06** — Lilac selected Hatch as EPCM partner for its planned Great Salt Lake facility.
- **2026-01** — Lilac announced a binding ten-year Traxys offtake for all planned Phase 1 output and completion of construction of its Fernley media manufacturing line.

## Links

- Website: https://lilacsolutions.com/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-snydacker-3a87b627/
- Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/dsnydacker

---

Profile page: https://yespress.io/david-snydacker
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-16