ZombieEV/Automotive

What Happened to QuantumScape?

Ticker: QSSPAC Year: 2020Merger: 2020

Return

-97.0%

Current Price

$4.5

Peak Price

$132.73

Trust Size

$300M

Summary

Solid-state battery startup backed by Bill Gates and Volkswagen hit a $50B market cap with zero revenue. The stock crashed 97% as the company failed to deliver commercial products on its aggressive timeline.

What Happened

QuantumScape merged with Kensington Capital Acquisition Corp in November 2020 during peak EV mania. The company claimed revolutionary solid-state battery technology that would double EV range. Bill Gates and VW invested over $300M. The stock hit $132 — valuing a pre-revenue company at $50B. A devastating short-seller report from Scorpion Capital questioned the viability of the technology. By 2025, QuantumScape had still not shipped a commercial product, burned through billions, and traded at $4.

Key People

Jagdeep SinghCEO— Stanford-connected founder, $450M+ in stock sales near peak
Bill GatesInvestor— Early backer via Breakthrough Energy Ventures

Timeline

2020-09

SPAC merger announced with Kensington Capital

2020-12

Stock hits $132, $50B valuation

2021-04

Scorpion Capital short report

2023-01

Still no commercial product

2025-01

Stock at $4, $2B+ cash burned

Risk Indicators

⚖ïļ Class Action Lawsuit