kraken
About us
With the founding of Kraken Innovations GmbH on 19 February 2021, the starting signal was given for the continuous development of the already patented coaxial gearbox and thus the reformation of existing drive systems. The goal is a symbiosis of hardware and software for a networked industry.
Employees
The team has been employed since summer 2021 and is pushing development within the innovation-driven, open culture.
Partners
For the further realisation of the technology, projects, analyses and tests are carried out together with existing and new partners.
MILESTONES
What happens next?
The current technical focus is on the integration of sensors as well as the development of a holistic drive module including aspects such as predictive maintenance, machine learning, communication interfaces, etc. In addition, the focus in the coming months will be on preparations for market entry, including demo projects with partner companies.
Onboarding investor – SFG
With the addition of a second investor, Steirische Wirtschaftsförderungsgesellschaft m.b.H. SFG, the first round of financing ends successfully. As a subsidiary of the province of Styria, SFG supports the upcoming growth and promotes further innovations in connection with the patented gearbox solution.
SPS 2022 Exhibition 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 digital automation.
Nomination PHÖNIX Start-up Award
The PHÖNIX Start-up Award underlines the importance of Austria as a location for innovation. The prize was awarded by the Federal Minister for Digitalisation and Business Location and the Federal Minister for Education, Science and Research. In the category “Prototypes”, the gearbox solution was chosen among the best five projects.
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.
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.
AWS Seedfinancing
In June, the funding programme was approved, providing an essential basis for the upcoming market launch and closing the gap between prototypes and market-ready gearboxes. Kraken Innovations GmbH is hereby funded by Seedfinancing – Deep Tech of the BMDW and the BMK handled by aws.
Onboarding investor – Nanotec
At the beginning of the year, a significant milestone was reached – the onboarding of an investor. Nanotec Electronic GmbH & Co. KG, a German company specialising in the production of high-quality motors and controllers, not only participates as a shareholder, but also supports with industry knowledge in the field of drive solutions.
FFG General Programme
For the development of the integrated sensor concept and the implementation of a predictive maintenance solution, we are starting the project “Smart Gear” together with our partners from science and industry, which is supported by the FFG within the framework of the basic programme funding (FFG no.: FO999890970).
Microsoft for Startups programme
At the end of 2021, Kraken Innovations GmbH was accepted into the Microsoft for Startups programme. It provides valuable cloud resources for the patented transmission concept and enables faster access to potential customers.
Patent registration No. 3 – Koaxialgetriebe
With the patent application “Koaxialgetriebe”, with priority 16 November 2021, a new functional principle for the kinematics of the gearbox was registered.
First round financing
Six months after the foundation of Kraken Innovations GmbH, the first talks with potential investors started in October 2021. This was to cover the high capital requirements in the area of R&D.
Trademark protection
The trademark “Kraken Innovations” was registered in the European Union in June 2021. The official granting as an EU trademark followed in September 2021.
Transfer of patents
Both inventions (“Koaxialgetriebe” and “Getriebemotor”) were developed and patented by joint research with TU Graz. The granted patents and further patent applications were acquired from TU Graz in August 2021. All future IPs of the ongoing cooperation will be filed directly by Kraken Innovations GmbH.
Trade registration
Kraken Innovations GmbH is a member of the Styrian Chamber of Commerce in the trade of mechatronics for machine and production technology.
SFG & FFG Funding
As one of five start-ups, Kraken Innovations GmbH was granted the Start!Klar Plus funding (SFG) in Mai 2021. The money was used to finance initial business activities. Furthermore, in May 2021, FFG agreed to fund additional patent applications regarding the transmission concept.
Founding
On 19 February 2021, Kraken Innovations GmbH, based in Graz, was founded by Philipp Eisele, Michael Michelitsch and Daniel Fürhapter. Therefore, the official start of a strong future in the field of intelligent drive technology was made.
Incubation Science Park Graz
The business model was further defined by participating in the Science Park Academy. A convincing final pitch led to the incubation by Science Park Graz on 1 January 2021. Since then, they have supported the company’s development with their comprehensive expertise.