A new drive for electromobility: greater range for e-mobility, lower consumption — and generates energy regardless of the fuel used?
You can find out what a free-piston linear generator can do and how the SWEngin team wants to make their business idea a success in our interview with business angel and co-founder Professor Dr. Manfred Gröger.
1. Who are you and what does SWEngin do? Please briefly introduce yourself and your product!
SWEngin GmbH was founded in 2014 by three highly motivated founders. As a business angel and project manager, I have already supported many startups myself and brought the right experts on board for our latest project: SWEngin was able to recruit Dr. Florian Kock (31) for technical project management, who had already dealt with the topic during his studies and doctoral thesis. Lucia Fogelstaller (29) became enthusiastic about the project after completing her master's degree in business mathematics and, in her position as project manager, completes the founding team.
Together we are developing the "Free Piston Linear Generator" (FKLG). What initially sounds very complicated is actually an easily explained and ingenious innovation: The FKLG is the first engine that generates electricity directly from any fuel. At the same time, it is efficient, low-emission, flexible, compact, and economical. Our motor not only has the potential to make electric mobility suitable for mass use, but can also be used anywhere electricity is needed.
2. But that's been around for a long time!
There are many engines – but no free-piston linear generator yet. And in our opinion, this is urgently needed to Bridge to a perfect battery for electromobility Currently, an extremely large battery would have to be installed in an electric vehicle to achieve the desired range. This not only wastes enormous storage space and increases weight, but also results in very high acquisition costs.
Charging such batteries is also still unclear due to a lack of charging infrastructure, and it takes a very long time. And few people today are truly aware that an electric car per se doesn't save a single gram of CO2.
On the one hand, the production of such a car generates more emissions than a conventional automobile. On the other hand, the electric car uses electricity, which in Germany largely comes from energy sources with high CO2 emissions.
The energy transition can only solve this problem to a limited extent and only in the very long term. We are filling this gap with our motor – it can be used not only to increase the range of an electric car and reduce consumption, but also in energy generation, where it supports renewable energies in ensuring security of supply. Overall, our FKLG therefore significantly reduces emissions.
3. What are the three main ingredients for your recipe for success?
The right People, the right partner and that Goal Always keep this in mind! This way, you maintain the necessary perseverance and pool the important skills to tackle this challenging project!
4. Let’s get down to business: How is business going?
Our company is growing rapidly. We are currently planning to expand our site to build our own laboratories and test benches. We currently use the equipment of our development partner, the German Aerospace Center (DLR) in Stuttgart. We intend to continue building on this long-term and valuable collaboration in the future, but we would like to become more independent in this area.
Financing for our ambitious project is also progressing. Concrete discussions with investors are currently underway, and we are in the final stages of negotiations. This puts us on track to have the prototype developed within three years.
5. What does Munich mean to you?
Munich isn't just our headquarters on paper. All operations are managed from here, and the organization is coordinated with our technical headquarters in Stuttgart. Thus, the geographical location of the Bavarian capital is ideal for us. Furthermore, many of our potential customers are either locally or easily accessible.
Munich's international reputation also makes it a strategically good location for us. Munich is simply a beautiful place to work and live – not only the native Munich residents on our team see it that way, but also the newcomers!
6. How will your startup become the next unicorn? Or will we see you soon at Epic Fail Night?
As a team, we're pulling together to drive technology forward. Everyone contributes their best—whether they're engineers, strategists, or scientists. Together, we're bringing a new engine concept to life that offers numerous application possibilities in high-potential markets.
Our vision is to make mobility affordable and environmentally friendly for everyone, both today and in the future. We also want to contribute to ensuring a supply of clean energy for all future generations that is both demand-oriented and secure. With the FKLG, the new unicorn is born.
7. Fish on a stick or pork knuckle?
Definitely pork knuckle. And the best is not far from us at Andechs Monastery!
