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
Sustainability meets Profitability on April 8th

La French Tech Bucharest announces the third edition of its highly anticipated flagship event, Sustainability meets Profitability, set to take place on April 8th, 2025, at the Romanian - American University (1B Expoziției Boulevard, Bucharest), starting at 18:30. Sustainability meets Profitability event will explore the new regulations companies—big or small—must navigate and how they can turn […]

Romania’s Sibiu-Pitești highway to feature largest ecoduct in the country

The builders of Romania’s important A1 Sibiu – Pitești highway are set to start the construction of a bridge over 300 meters long and at least 100 meters wide, allowing the animals of the Southern Carpathians to cross from one side to the other.  The investment will pay off as a corridor for large mammals […]

Report: Romania's business services industry has room to grow but at slower pace

The local business services industry has potential for growth, even if it will see a slower pace because the market is a mature one and given the high regional and global competitiveness, according to a report carried out by the Association of Business Service Leaders in Romania (ABSL) in partnership with Deloitte Romania. Still, the […]

Romanian soldiers on parental leave went to Congo as mercenaries, Defense Ministry finds

Several Romanian military personnel who were on parental leave went to Congo as mercenaries, according to a statement from the Ministry of National Defense.  The issue of active soldiers taking mercenary work first came up on the public agenda after PressOne...

European Investment Bank to finance Ukraine’s railway border crossings with Romania, other neighbors

The European Investment Bank and the government of Ukraine have agreed to allocate EUR 50 million from EIB funding to Ukraine's national railway company, Ukrzaliznytsia, for the modernization of key railway border crossings with Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, and Romania.  The project includes repairs to worn-out railway tracks, the relocation of wagon inspections, the reconstruction of […]

Medicover acquires operations of laboratory diagnostic services provider Synlab in Romania, five other countries

Medicover has acquired the operations of the lab tests provider Synlab Group in Romania, Turkey, Cyprus, Slovenia, Croatia, and North Macedonia in a transaction worth EUR 71.3 million, the company announced. The transaction was financed from Medicover's own sources. It was carried out by Medicover for its diagnostic services division, present in Romania under the […]