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Rory Brogan on Inventing Next Gen EV Motors to Reduce Rare Earth Metal Consumption

High powered density axial flux motors

August 31, 2023

Hi, climate friends 👋 

We have another update for you - we’ve partnered with NetZero Insights to bring the latest early stage climate investments into our Thursday issues in a new section we’re calling Latest Climate Investments 🎉

Today at a glance:

  • Introducing Torev Motors

  • Detailing their business model, tech, traction and team

  • Why do we need this now?

  • What is their target climate impact?

  • How you can help them!

-  Angelica 💜

Featured Startup: Torev Motors

Today’s climate startup feature is Torev Motors. Torev develops next generation electric motors for the transportation space. Their patented, first-of-its-kind motor architecture enables superior efficiency in operation, cost-effective modular design, and significant reduction in rare earth metal consumption.

Torev Motors Fast Facts

 

How was Torev Motors Born?

Rory Brogan, Torev's Founder and CEO, invented the technology. Rory first began experimenting with electric motor designs almost 8 years ago, while he was studying electrical engineering and mathematics at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, TX.

The idea started as a passion project to find a fundamentally unique way to improve electric motors. Instead of focusing on material selection or thermodynamics, Rory instead focused on improving the electromagnetic field shape within the motor.

After much trial and error, Rory identified a method to magnetically stack two coils on top of each other while taking advantage of an axial flux motor orientation. This combination proved promising, and became the basis of Rory's research for the next 6 years.

Finally, after spending time in the world of venture capital, being granted his first patent for the device, and earning an MBA from Georgetown University, Rory founded the company in May 2022.

Headquarters

Arlington, Virginia

Technology

Torev's technology is fundamentally simple: use attracting magnetic fields, similar to if you held two attracting magnets close to each other, to channel the field of one coil through another, effectively combining the field strength interacting with the magnets in an electric motor's rotor.

The vision of the technology is to offer a sustainable alternative to traditional electric vehicle motors that does not sacrifice motor efficiency in the process. Torev constructed the first working model in collaboration with Yeadon Energy Systems, a well-regarded electric motor prototype and design shop. Eventually, following additional testing and optimization, we see our motor being adopted in electric vehicles across the transportation spectrum.

Business Model

Torev is not yet profitable. They employ a sales strategy designed to bring customers in the door early on and enable them to build trust with their teams both from an engineering and supply chain perspective. From there, they sell motors directly to those customers in a B2B model.

Right now, they measure success by the number of customers expressing positive interest in our technology and value proposition. In the future, success will be measured both by the number of new clients added and the additional business we win from existing customers.

Traction

  • Torev advanced to the second phase of the Venture for ClimateTech Accelerator (1 of 10 selected)

  • Graduated from the inaugural Gener8tor U.S. Venture Sustainability Accelerator (1% acceptance rate).

  • They have a have a robust customer pipeline, including EV OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers

  • Their first prototype rolled off the line in June 2023

  • Zak Doenmez joined Torev full time in May 2023

  • Brought on a fractional CFO in July 2023.

  • Won grant funding through the Virginia Commonwealth Commercialization Fund and NYSERDA

Founders

Rory Brogan - Founder & CEO

  • Rory is the inventor of Torev's flagship product, the double axial flux motor.

  • Prior to founding Torev in May 2022, Rory worked in venture capital where he sourced and performed diligence on early-stage Seed and Series A companies.

  • Rory holds dual degrees in Electrical Engineering and Mathematics from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, TX and an MBA from Georgetown University.

Zak Doenmez - Co-Founder & COO

  • Zak joined Torev in October 2022 and moved quickly into an operations role with his background in policy and management consulting

  • Prior to joining Torev, Zak worked in policy in the U.S. Senate and a presidential campaign

  • Zak has a degree in Political Science and Government from Clark University and an MBA from Georgetown University

The founders met at Georgetown, where Rory was a year ahead of Zak. Rory and Zak have complimentary skill sets, with Zak specializing in operations from his time working in the U.S. Senate while Rory comes from a product and business development background. Both of the founders are passionate about making the world a better place to live, and believe the best way to do that is through entrepreneurship.

Why Now?

Electric motors, especially in transportation, heavily rely on rare earth metals like neodymium. This metal is found in various devices, from phones to electric vehicle motors, due to its superior magnetic field. However, the challenge lies in its supply chain, with 90% of neodymium production occurring in China. This metal is prone to shortages and price volatility, and it also produces radioactive toxic waste. Despite these drawbacks, neodymium's efficiency in motors has made it dominant. Torev offers a sustainable solution that improves supply chains, allowing manufacturers to move forward. With electrification on the rise, companies are searching for solutions to power their future vehicles.

Climate Impact

Torev's potential climate impact is huge. Assuming all vehicles in the United States switched to Torev motors, the impact would be a whopping 1.88 GT in carbon reductions by 2050. With just their current customer pipeline, they have the potential for 28 MT in reductions in the same time frame through the reduction of both ICE vehicle emissions and rare earth metal processing.

Support Torev Motors

  • Customers - anyone working at manufacturers that need electric motors

  • Torev Motors just opened a $2M Seed round, and is looking for investors and their goal is to close at the end of November!

  • Torev is looking to hire a senior electric motor engineer

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