Kitekraft, founded in 2019 as a spinoff from the Technical University of Munich, develops flying wind turbines. The technology consists of a multicopter drone with wings that is connected to a ground station via a cable. This solution from the Munich startup enables wind energy generation while using less material than conventional wind turbines, which reduces costs, decreases logistical effort, and is also less visible. Kitekraft’s first products are 100kW systems for farmers, municipalities, islands, and microgrids, which are to be scaled up to 500kW and later to multi-MW systems for grid-level power generation.
Building a pilot facility
To intensify product testing and prepare a first pilot installation, the company has secured a new test site near Munich and is working with local partners to prepare an installation in 2023. The current funding of €1.5 million ($1.6 million) is to be used, among other things, for the construction of the first pilot facility. Furthermore, the young company intends to expand its team in the critical areas of software development and power electronics.
Max Isensee, co-founder and co-CEO of Kitekraft, said:
“This funding is proof of what our comparatively small team has achieved in a very short time. Working on such a technology is an exciting challenge and we are well positioned to bring it to market.”
Florian Bauer, co-founder, co-CEO, and CTO of Kitekraft, adds:
“This funding enables us to increase the reliability and efficiency of our technology. This will bring the technology ever closer to a market-ready product that can ultimately help reduce environmental impact in energy generation.”
“Pure disruptive innovation”
And Umut Ertan, CEO of Schweizer Kapital, said:
“From the first moment, I was convinced by the technology, the smart team, and the hands-on mentality. The Kitekraft team achieved flight in all phases with very limited means and at lightning speed. A feat that competitors needed much more time and resources for. That is truly impressive and pure disruptive innovation.”
