The Munich-based startup Kiutra has developed a novel cooling system. Using magnetic cooling, scientists and industry can work on scalable quantum technologies and high-performance electronics on a completely different level. The market for this is still emerging, but a first pilot customer has already been found. Sounds complicated? One of the three founders, Tomek Schulz, explains it simply in our '7 Questions' interview.
1. Who are you and what do you do?
Kiutra is the first company to develop cooling solutions for the permanent magnetic generation of very low temperatures in the sub-Kelvin range (approximately -273 °C). Such temperatures are required, for example, in research, for the operation of highly efficient detectors, and for particularly powerful computers. Thanks to magnetic cooling, our systems do not require liquefied gases, unlike conventional chillers, and therefore offer numerous advantages, such as cost savings, operational and occupational safety, and a high degree of automation.
Magnetic cooling — elegant and comfortable
Kiutra was founded by a team of physicists: Alexander Regnat (CEO), Jan Spallek (CTO), Prof. Christian Pfleiderer (Scientific Advisor), and myself, Tomek Schulz (Business Development). As scientists, we worked together successfully for many years at the Physics Department of the Technical University of Munich, using various cooling technologies. We always found magnetic cooling particularly elegant and convenient. However, based on this method, only systems were available for purchase that could provide low temperatures exclusively for a limited time—a few hours. This is insufficient for many applications. With the help of various startup funding instruments, we therefore developed a machine concept for continuous magnetic cooling.
2. But that has been around for a long time!
In fact, the idea of permanent magnetic cooling has been around since the 1930s. However, the technical implementation is quite complex and has likely prevented the development of a product for widespread use.
3. What are the three main ingredients for your recipe for success?
Fascination for technology, focus on usability and conscientiousness in implementation.
4. Let’s get down to business: How is business going?
Our company was only founded in the summer of 2018. Since then, all of our plans have fortunately come to fruition. The technical development of our product is progressing well, we have secured a pilot customer, and are preparing our first round of financing.
5. What does Munich mean to you?
We can definitely recommend Munich as a place to start a business: Investors, coaches, and fellow founders gather here at numerous startup events—perfect conditions for building a strong network. With excellent universities like TUM and LMU, numerous research institutes, and technology companies, Munich, as a center of cutting-edge research, is also ideal for us to attract employees and customers.
We ourselves have lived in Munich for many years and value the city and its surroundings primarily for its high quality of life. Combined with the economic advantages of the location, this allows us to overlook disadvantages such as often overcrowded subways and exorbitant rents.
6. How will your startup become the next unicorn? Or will we see you soon at Epic Fail Night?
Our cooling solutions are ideal for providing low temperatures for modern quantum technologies. This market is developing rapidly and offers an opportunity to establish our new technology.
7. Isar or English Garden?
Why miss out? In the northern part of the English Garden, you can enjoy some peace and quiet and jump into the Isar River.
