Munich Startup: Who are you and what do you do? Please introduce yourselves briefly!
Electric Flytrain: The founders of Electric Flytrain have many years of experience in developing electric drivetrains from the automotive industry (Tesla, BMW, Siemens). Electric Flytrain is now applying this expertise to electric drives for the aviation industry and thus accelerate the transformation towards more sustainable air transport.
Tobias Kahnert – CEO: Tobias has been working in the field of electromobility for almost 10 years. He holds a bachelor's degree in electromobility (based on electrical engineering) from the Munich University of Applied Sciences and a master's degree in Engineering for Sustainable Development from the University of Cambridge. He worked for four years at Tesla in California on the integration of electric drives. For the Silicon Valley startup "Impossible Aerospace," he had overall responsibility for the development of the electric powertrain, taking it from the initial sketch to the product delivered to the customer. At Electric Flytrain, he takes on the role of CEO and contributes his engineering expertise to development.
Simon Rudolph – System Design: Simon and Tobias have known each other for over two years through mutual colleagues in the automotive industry. Simon holds a Bachelor's and Master's degree in mechanical engineering from the Technical University of Munich. He previously held a leading role in software development at Startup MX3D. He then worked for several years in battery storage system design for BMW. At Electric Flytrain, he is responsible for system design for electric drive trains.
Jonas Fauser – Electronics and Software Development: Jonas and Tobias have known each other since their time together in high school. Jonas holds a bachelor's and master's degree in electrical engineering from the Technical University of Munich. Jonas has extensive experience in the design of electronic components and software architecture through his work at Blickfeld, where he has already obtained five patents for his work. At Electric Flytrain, Jonas is responsible for electronics development and software architecture.
Turnkey electric powertrains
Munich Startup: What problem does your startup solve?
Electric Flytrain: Many aircraft manufacturers are already considering electric propulsion systems. However, complete systems that would lead to attractive, safe, and certifiable aircraft are currently lacking. Electric Flytrain is developing turnkey electric propulsion systems for precisely this purpose.
Munich Startup: But that's been around for a long time!
Electric Flytrain: While the first electric aircraft already exist, these are often demonstrators that are assembled piece by piece by aircraft manufacturers themselves. We, on the other hand, are developing complete propulsion systems that can be applied to various aircraft and thus quickly lead to production-ready products.
Munich Startup: What have been your three biggest challenges so far?
Electric Flytrain:
- Gaining a foothold in the aviation industry was a major challenge for us. We originally came from other industries and had to prove ourselves and make a name for ourselves here.
- To determine the exact product-market fit.
- Finding an investor willing to handle the high investment and risk required for the aerospace industry and hardware development.
Munich Startup: Where would you like to be in one year, where in five years?
Electric Flytrain: In one year, we want to have seen our first aircraft in the air. In five years, we want to have established a product line, and our products will be fully industrialized and ready to reach the end customer.
Munich Startup: How do you rate Munich as a startup location?
Electric Flytrain: Munich is a very attractive location for us, with a wealth of talent and major relevant players nearby. The willingness to take risks isn't quite as high as in Silicon Valley, where some of us previously worked in startups.
Munich Startup: Bicycle or e-scooter?
Electric Flytrain: Oh, very good question. We're all cyclists, even if our technology focus is on e-mobility. I'd say we don't use the electric drive to cruise through the city, but rather to take off soon.
