Ooni Koda
  1. Home
  2. /
  3. Newsfeed
  4. /
  5. Swisspod, a startup co-founded by a Romanian, is...

Swisspod, a startup co-founded by a Romanian, is targeting €7 million to revolutionize global transport with hyperloop technology, a high-speed transportation solution

May 7, 2024

Swisspod Technologies, a startup founded by 2 winners of the SpaceX Hyperloop Competition — Romanian Denis Tudor and Cyril Dénéréaz, announces a new round of €200,000 on SeedBlink as part of a total funding round of €7 million. This strategic investment will be used to continue Swisspod's mission of innovation, research and global expansion, enabling the company to advance the development of hyperloop, a revolutionary high-speed transportation system that will change the future of passenger and freight transport.

Investors and business angels can participate in the funding round through SeedBlink, starting with a minimum investment of €2,500.

The fundraising round has attracted co-investments from notable players such as Charlie Holding, Polysys Industries and an exclusive circle of business angels.

The company, run by a 30-year-old Romanian, has piqued the interest of Richard Branson. The idea of founding Swisspod came after a discussion with Elon Musk

Renowned entrepreneur Richard Branson, a fervent supporter of hyperloop, was drawn in by Swisspod's progress, eager to explore the potential of using the company's technology to push the boundaries of aerospace innovation.

Founded in 2019, Swisspod emerged from a conversation between its founders and Elon Musk, the co-founder and CEO of SpaceX. This encounter was the catalyst that led them to embark on a mission to develop the most efficient, accessible, and sustainable hyperloop solution.

A transport system that can reach speeds similar to the one of sound (1,200 km/h)

Hyperloop is a revolutionary intra-continental passenger and cargo transportation system consisting of an autonomous, fully-electric capsule traveling at near-sonic speeds (1200 km/h) in a low-pressure environment, with almost no air resistance. Hyperloop will significantly cut travel times between cities and countries and will be more sustainable than any current mode of mass transportation, as its direct carbon emissions can be driven down to near zero through magnetic levitation and electric motors for propulsion.

Swisspod is currently focusing on developing a hyperloop solution for freight transportation as a pivotal step towards its ultimate goal of making this system accessible for passengers.

Partners in a project to develop and deploy hyperloop technology in India

Swisspod has achieved significant milestones over the years, including the construction of Europe's first hyperloop testing infrastructure in Switzerland.

The company has expanded its research and development efforts in Colorado, USA, and, through a partnership with TuTr Hyperloop, is working on developing and deploying this cutting-edge technology in India, backed by an agreement between the governments of Switzerland and India. In addition, Swisspod's role in the European Muspell project, which has received €3.5 million in funding from the European Innovation Council (EIC) and the Swiss State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI), underlines its commitment to addressing the thermal management challenges associated with hyperloop systems.

"The hyperloop solution we are building at Swisspod is not only incredibly fast and sustainable, but also economically viable as we substantially cut the infrastructure costs. We're thrilled to share our vision for the evolution of transportation with the Romanian community of investors who, like us, value innovation and sustainability, and are contributing to shaping a thriving future", said Denis Tudor, CEO and co-founder of Swisspod.

"SeedBlink is more than just a fundraising platform, we are a growth environment for transformative projects like Swisspod's hyperloop. Our platform provides a complex ecosystem for innovation, growth and success, and we're happy to work with Denis and his team again. The opportunity to invest in Swisspod is more than an investment in the company's revolutionary technology; it's a commitment to shaping the future of global connectivity and sustainability," added Eric Bartha, Head of Revenue at SeedBlink.

The information provided by KomuniK

Read in full - click here
M&A market in Romania registered transactions worth EUR 2.7 bln in first half of 2025

The Romanian mergers and acquisitions market registered a total of 122 announced transactions in the first half of 2025, with a value exceeding EUR 2.7 billion, marking a slight increase of 6% in volume and 4% in value compared to the same period last year, according to an analysis by George Ureche, partner at PwC Romania. […]

Tourist arrivals to Romania slightly up in first part of 2025

Arrivals recorded in tourist accommodation structures in Romania, including apartments and rental rooms, in the first five months totaled 4.49 million people, up 0.8% compared to the same period in 2024, according to data from the National Institute of Statistics.  Of the total number of arrivals during this period, Romanian tourists accounted for 80.8% and […]

Romanian climber Horia Colibășanu summits Nanga Parbat, his 11th peak over 8,000m

Renowned Romanian mountaineer Horia Colibășanu reached the summit of Nanga Parbat (8,125 meters), the ninth-highest mountain on Earth, on Friday morning, July 4, marking his 11th successful climb of a peak over 8,000 meters. The ascent represents a major milestone in his ongoing quest to conquer all 14 of the world's eight-thousanders. Colibășanu's expedition began […]

UiPath names Romanian Olympic swimming champion David Popovici as Global Ambassador

UiPath (NYSE: PATH), a global leader in agentic automation, today announced that it has named Romanian Olympic swimming champion David Popovici a Global Ambassador. In this capacity, Popovici will be attending and speaking at several UiPath events globally. The partnership, spanning four years, will support the young athlete throughout his preparation for the biggest European […]

Confident Agency becomes the first B Corp certified communication agency in Romania and CEE

Confident Agency, an independent full-service communications agency with offices in Bucharest and Barcelona, has achieved international B Corp Certification, becoming the first agency in Romania and in Central and Eastern Europe to join the global B Corp movement. This milestone marks a turning point in the agency’s journey and in the regional creative industry. Confident […]

Simona Halep’s official retirement match set for June 2026 at Sports Festival in Cluj-Napoca

Romanian star Simona Halep will bid farewell to professional tennis in front of her home crowd on June 13, 2026, during the Sports Festival in Cluj-Napoca. Organizers have confirmed the date of her official retirement match, which will take place at BTarena and serve as the highlight of the festival’s seventh edition,