30 Fastest Growing Tech Companies 2020
The Silicon Review
“Our energy-efficient and environmentally friendly motor reduces electricity consumption and cuts CO2 emissions. We currently hold seven awarded patents and two pending related to our work in electromagnetic motors.”
Magnetism is a huge part of some very advanced technologies that make a big difference in our world. Anything that requires electricity wouldn’t work without magnetism, as it is used to generate electricity. Electromagnetism has important scientific and technological applications. It is used in many electrical appliances to generate desired magnetic fields. The next generation electric propulsion technology is used in advanced generators, pumps, aviation, and aerospace devices in order to improve efficiencies and reduce size and weight.
ePropelled is a leader in magnetic engineering innovations that dramatically improve electric motor and generator efficiency for propulsion applications in aviation, aerospace, industrial pumps, and electric vehicles.
In Conversation with Nick Grewal, ePropelled’s CEO
Q. Can you brief us about the history of your company?
I started the company in October 2018 with just four people and a vision to be “The Future of Electric Propulsion”. Headquarters were established in Lowell, Massachusetts with a remote location in Cardiff, Wales for continued research and development. Just 15 months later, the company now has 40 employees across four locations. An engineering center has been setup in Chennai, India and a test facility is getting ready to open in Laconia, New Hampshire. Our team of 40 employees spans all functions of the company including engineering, manufacturing, finance, human resources, sales, and marketing.
Q. Tell us about your patented electromagnetic technology. How does this technology impact performance and cost?
Our patented electromagnetic technology and software control produces a 25 percent more efficient method of propulsion and reduces the size and weight of the electric motor, enabling and improving a wide range of industrial, commercial, and consumer applications.
ePropelled’s innovative electric motors:
Our energy-efficient and environmentally friendly motor reduces electricity consumption and cuts CO2 emissions. We currently hold seven awarded patents and two pending related to our work in electromagnetic motors.
Q. Do you think that there is a need for more efficient propulsion technology?
Electric Motors have been widely used for over 100 years. According to United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), electric motor systems account for 60 percent of industrial electricity consumption. Adding to this problem is these existing motors’ average energy efficiency, which is around 65-75 percent. Therefore, 25-35 percent of the input energy is wasted as it’s turned mainly into heat. This causes the need for even more electricity for cooling.
The markets we have decided to focus on for the immediate future are the UAV market (drones) and water pumps for aqua leisure (spa and pool) based on our assessment of ease and market size. ePropelled has developed electric motors using innovative electromagnetic technology that increases energy efficiency up to 95 percent. The widespread adoption of these motors would have a substantial impact on global energy production and consumption as well as greatly reduce carbon emissions into the atmosphere. The potential energy savings from improved efficiency could eliminate the need for new power plant construction and will eliminate tons of carbon into the atmosphere.
Our motors are also smaller and lighter enabling advances in electric cars, electric aircraft, and other transportation applications. Electric vehicle adoption around the globe will increase as costs decrease and driving distances increase. This will further decrease energy consumption and CO2 emissions.
Q. How do you market your product?
We are using multiple channels including distributors and direct to the customer. We employ a variety of B2B marketing tactics including tradeshows, email, print advertising, social media, and more.
Q. What makes your company standout from the competition?
We believe we have the best electric motors on the market today. There are other companies out there that have just started developing electric motors because they also see a need and a market for them, but they have not yet learned what we know. Our Chief Technology Officer, NabeelShirazee, has 20 years of research and development in electromagnetics to back up these patents and technology.
ePropelled will perform assembly of motors right here in the United States. Many of our competitors are using Chinese parts and labor to manufacture their products. Although this may help them reduce the cost, they risk a loss in quality and service for the product. Our deep expertise and better product boost our position as a leader in the electric motor industry.
Q. What are your trajectories for the next five years?
Our growth plan is to finish commercializing products and bring them to the air vehicle and water pump markets. The next 1-2 years will allow us to complete design, build, and prepare for high-volume manufacturing. In 2-5 years, we will be ready for the Electric Vehicle explosion with fully developed and tested product and manufacturing assembly lines. We are also expecting to enter the industrial electric motor market in this time frame.
Leadership | ePropelled
Nick Grewal, CEO: Nick Grewal serves as the Chief Executive officer of ePropelled. He is an experienced technology entrepreneur and investor in over 40 high tech companies. He has served on several company boards and as an advisor for venture capital firms in the Boston area. In the 90s, he started Onlake Investments, a successful investment company. Before Onlake, Mr. Grewal was Founder and CEO of Nashoba Networks which was sold to Cisco Systems for $100 million. He was Vice President at Cisco Systems. Nick led engineering, business development and operational teams as an executive at CrossCom, Proteon, Fibronics, and Compugraphics.
NabeelShirazee, CTO:NabeelShirazee is the Chief Technology Officer of ePropelled. He graduated from Leicester University in 1990 where he studied Electrical and Electronic Engineering. Dr.Shirazee holds a Master’s degree in magnetic engineering from Cardiff University where he continued his Ph.D. studies and developed a permanent magnet lifting system that was patented by Cardiff University. His keen interest in magnetics led to a patented magnetic levitation system, which was awarded the “World’s No 1 Invention” at INPEX in the USA. In 1999, he founded Electronica UK, a magnetics research and design consultancy. Since then, he has been involved with various challenging projects, including the design of an actuator motor for a British aerospace company. He also licensed the magnetic levitation technology to a company in France. He became a chartered engineer in 2018.