Skip to content
Getriebe Funktionsprinzip animiert

This is Kraken

We unite innovation and engineering skills to develop innovative transmission solutions that drive our future.

Philipp Eisele

CEO & Co-Founder

Daniel Fürhapter

COO & Co-Founder

Michael Michelitsch

CTO & Co-Founder

Sophia Harrer

Finance & Marketing

Lukas Dietrich

Design & Calculation

Matthias Anhofer

Supply Chain Management

Lukas Kern

Development & Production

Guido Gaggl

Measurement & Data Analysis

ABOUT US

With our patented coaxial gearbox, we initiated the transformation of existing gear units in 2019. Our vision is to create high-precision, fully integrated, and adaptive drive systems.

TEAM

We are an interdisciplinary team from Graz that not only loves technology, but fosters an open culture, collaboration and ideas to experience flights of innovation.

BECOME A PART OF KRAKEN

Kraken is always looking for dedicated, innovation-hungry team members. If you feel addressed, check out our current job openings and become a part of us.”

WHAT WE OFFER

In our young and dynamic environment, an appreciative communication culture takes centre stage. You actively contribute to the design, realisation and marketing of new products. Your ideas are important to us.

Unsolicited application (F/M/D)

We are always seeking support in the areas listed. If you want to contribute, on a part-time or full-time basis, we look forward to receiving your application.

Sales and Marketing Sales force, CRM, PR, advertising

Mechanics/sensor technology/software/electronics Design, Development, Simulation

Administration/Business Development/Finance Strategy, Accounting, Management

The minimum salary offered depends on the position and the number of hours worked. We are also happy to take relevant professional experience and qualifications into account. We look forward to getting to know you. Please send us your CV and two suggested dates by email to: office@kraken-innovations.at!

Milestones

14/11/2024

SPS Nuremburg 2024

At SPS 2024, Kraken Innovations presented the new technology and new sizes, which have been developed for use in drive technology, medical technology, logistics, measurement technology and the semiconductor industry, for the first time live. The most important new features include an enlarged hollow shaft for greater flexibility, economy performance class and an innovative bearing concept for an installation length that is up to 50% shorter.

01/10/2024

Presentation of new sizes

The new CLR-EE (59 mm, 74 mm, 88 mm) and CLR-TS (148 mm) sizes were introduced in the fall of 2024. The new gearboxes offer a wide range of possible applications and meet the highest precision and rigidity requirements despite their compact size. They also make it even easier to integrate Kraken gearboxes into various drive systems.

28/05/2024

SPS Italia 2024

The first trade fair appearance at SPS Italia in Parma took place at the end of May 2024. The sensor integration in the Kraken gearbox and thus pioneering analysis functions celebrated their world premiere.

24/05/2024

Patent application no. 3 – Coaxial gearbox

The patent for the implementation of sensor technology in the Kraken gearbox and the direct recording of various measured variables on the gear element was filed in May 2024.

15/05/2024

FFG general programme (follow-up) in cooperation with AC2T

The funding approval for the FFG follow-up programme enables the continuation and completion of the sensor concept developed to date as part of the FFG general programme, including a predictive maintenance solution. The project is being carried out in collaboration with the AC2T (Austrian Excellence Centre for Tribology) in Wiener Neustadt.

01/02/2024

Cooperation Know Center Graz

Together with the Know Center in Graz, a leading European centre for trustworthy AI and data science research, the further development of integrated transmission sensors is being addressed. The focus here is on predictive maintenance and virtual sensor technology.

15/12/2023

AWS AI Start

The use of AI for determining the service life and analysing measurement signals within the Kraken gearbox is to be investigated as part of the AWS AI Start funding. The aim is to reliably determine values such as torque, speed, temperature and a change over time (virtual sensor).

SPS Nuremberg 2023

In November 2023, the first size of the developed G-CSR series, the G-CSR- TS-0098-0096 gearbox, and a gearbox-motor solution (offered by Nanotec) were presented at the SPS trade fair in Nuremberg.

23/04/2023

Lifetime tests

Overload tests of the G-CSR series were successfully carried out. This allows calculations and simulations to be verified and various application scenarios to be tested.

01/12/2022

Onboarding Investor – SFG

The first round of financing ends successfully with the addition of a second investor, Steirische Wirtschaftsförderungsgesellschaft m.b.H. SFG. As a subsidiary of the Province of Styria, SFG supports the upcoming growth and promotes further innovations in connection with the patented gearbox solution.

01/11/2022

SPS trade fair Nuremberg

Together with Nanotec Electronic GmbH & Co. KG, the innovative gearbox concept was presented for the first time at the SPS trade fair. SPS (smart production solutions) stands for smart and digital automation.

01/11/2022

Nomination PHÖNIX founder award

Der Gründerpreis PHÖNIX unterstreicht die Bedeutung von Österreich als Innovationsstandort. Vergeben wurde der Preis vom Bundesminister für Digitalisierung und Wirtschaftsstandort sowie dem Bundesminister für Bildung, Wissenschaft und Forschung. In der Kategorie „Prototypen“ wurde die Getriebelösung unter die besten fünf Projekte gewählt.

01/11/2022

#2 Newsletter

Our second newsletter was published on 2 November 2022 and can be downloaded here.

01/10/2022

Nomination S&B Award

Kraken Innovations was nominated as one of the top 10 projects for the S&B Award 2022. The prize is awarded annually by the Rudolf Sallinger Fund for early commercialisation ideas based on a scientific achievement.

01/09/2022

Company of the month

Kraken Innovations was voted “Company of the Month September” in a public vote, an initiative of the Styrian Business Promotion Agency SFG.

01/06/2022

AWS Seedfinancing

The funding programme was approved in June, providing an essential basis for the upcoming market launch in order to close the gap between prototypes and market-ready gearboxes. Kraken Innovations GmbH is hereby funded by Seedfinancing – Deep Tech of the BMDW and the BMK, respectively, processed by the aws.

01/03/2022

#1 Newsletter

Our first newsletter can be downloaded here.

01/02/2022

Onboarding Investor – Nanotec

A key milestone was reached at the beginning of the year – the onboarding of an investor. Nanotec Electronic GmbH & Co. KG, a German company specialising in the manufacture of high-quality motors and control systems, not only became a shareholder, but also provided support in the form of industry expertise in the field of drive solutions.

01/01/2022

FFG General Programme

For the development of the integrated sensor concept and the implementation of a predictive maintenance solution, we launched the “Smart Gear” project together with our partners from science and industry, which is supported by the FFG as part of the General Programme funding.

01/11/2021

Patent application no. 3 – Coaxial gearbox

With the patent application “Koaxialgetriebe” with priority 16.11.2021, a new functional principle for the kinematic conversion of the gearbox was applied for at the WIPO.

01/09/2021

Schutz der Marke

Die Marke „Kraken Innovations“ wurde im Juni 2021 als Unions-Wortbildmarke in der Europäischen Union angemeldet. Die offizielle Erteilung der Marke erfolgte im September 2021.

01/08/2021

Transfer of patents into intellectual property

Both inventions (“coaxial gearbox” and “geared motor”) were developed and patented together with Graz University of Technology. The granted patents and further patent applications were taken over in August 2021. All future IPs of the ongoing cooperation will be registered directly by Kraken Innovations GmbH.

01/05/2021

SFG & FFG funding

In May 2021, Kraken Innovations GmbH was one of five start-ups to receive the Start! Klar Plus funding from the SFG. This was used to finance initial entrepreneurial activities. In addition, the FFG Patent.Voucher was approved to fund further patent applications for the gearbox innovation.

01/02/2021

Foundation

On 19 February 2021, Kraken Innovations GmbH, based in Graz, was founded by Philipp Eisele, Michael Michelitsch and Daniel Fürhapter. This was the official start for a strong future in the field of intelligent drive technology.

01/01/2021

Incubation Science Park Graz

The business model was defined in more detail through participation in the Science Park Academy. Based on a convincing presentation, this led to incubation by Science Park Graz at the end of 2020. Since then, its employees have been supporting the company’s development with their wide-ranging expertise.

01/07/2020

Patent registration No. 2 – Geared motor

With priority 28.07.2020, the patent “Getriebemotor”  was registered at the Austrian Patent Office. The patent includes an electric motor into the gear structure.

AWS Funding

The project “Smart Gear” was initially funded by the Institute of Production Engineering (TU Graz) and subsequently by the AWS funding “large prototype funding”. Hence, Kraken Innovations GmbH could develop the innovative gear technology thoroughly.

31/07/2019

Patent registration No. 1 – Coaxial gearbox

A patent for the innovative gearing concept with pistons as transmission elements was filed with the Austrian Patent Office on 26.7.2019 (priority date).

01/07/2019

1st place Gründungsgarage Vol.XII

With the support of “Gründungsgarage”, the academic startup accelerator of TU Graz, a business model was developed together with mentors. The idea clearly convinced the jury in the final pitch and was chosen as the winner of Volume XII 2019.

01/01/2019

The idea

The idea for a new, revolutionary gearbox, the “Smart Gear”, was initiated by Michael Michelitsch and Philipp Eisele. It started within their Master’s studies at Graz University of Technology at the beginning of 2019. The initial considerations were quickly transformed into a clear vision.

OFFICE AND LAB GRAZ

Kraken Innovations GmbH
Sandgasse 36
8010 Graz
T: +43 316 438007
office@kraken-innovations.at

Office and laboratory Graz