Hyperdrives, a Munich-based startup developing next-generation electric motors, has raised an oversubscribed €3 million pre-seed round led by Rethink Ventures. First Momentum Ventures, SDAC Ventures, Acequia Capital, 2100 Ventures, Prototype Capital, and angel investors including Andreas Cornet, Charlie Songhurst, and Stefan Tietze also participated.
Founded in 2021, Hyperdrives has developed waveguide cooling, a patented method that channels coolant directly through copper conductors in motor windings. The company says this design delivers up to three times higher continuous current densities compared with today’s motors, resulting in smaller, lighter, and more efficient systems.
“Over three product generations, we have proven that this breakthrough in motor performance does not require exotic materials or new production concepts” said Robin Renz, co-founder and CEO. “With the new tailwind from our investors, we will strengthen our team to prove service life under automotive standards and prepare for industrialisation.”
Unlike hypercar-focused technologies, Hyperdrives targets mass-market EVs, positioning its cooling system as the “turbocharger for electric motors” by offering motorsport-level performance at automotive-level cost and scalability. The platform is compatible with existing hairpin production lines, enabling OEMs and suppliers to license the technology without overhauling manufacturing processes.
The startup has already built a customer base across automotive, aviation, and marine industries, generating more than €1 million in 2024 sales prior to raising venture capital. Hyperdrives also manufactures drive systems with integrated SiC inverters in small to medium volumes.
“Our breakthrough lies in bringing waveguide cooling to industrialisation” added Michael Numberger, co-founder and CTO. “Direct cooling in the copper conductor allows us to achieve up to three times higher current densities than today’s series motors.”
“Hyperdrives solves one of the toughest trade-offs in e-mobility: maximum performance and efficiency with true scalability” said Matthias Schanze, General Partner at Rethink Ventures. “Their waveguide platform is the first to combine motorsport power density with VW-level costs and manufacturing.”
The new funding will be used to validate motor lifetimes under automotive testing standards, scale manufacturing processes, and expand the customer base. Hyperdrives will also present an updated product portfolio at IAA Mobility in Munich next week.
