MinWave wins CHF 150,000 to expand its ultra-compact microwave waveguide device design
06.12.2022
MinWave pioneered an innovative design framework based on electromagnetic metamaterial for the fabrication of ultra-compact and ultra-light micro- and millimeter-wave radio frequency (RF) front-end devices. Focusing on applications in space technology at present, the target markets span various sectors such as 5G and internet over satellite. The EPFL spin-off won the third stage of the Venture Kick program in early November, convincing an expert jury of its technology's market potential.
 Dr. Maliheh Khatibi (CTO), Dr. Mostafa Khosrow (CEO), and Dr. Roman Fleury
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Microwave passive devices are often the bulkiest part of communication systems. Weight and size are crucial considerations in system design in terms of cost—each additional kilogram in a satellite’s design can add hundreds of thousands of francs in launch and mission costs.
MinWave's innovative use of electromagnetic metamaterials and additive manufacturing enables the fabrication of miniaturized micro- and millimeter-wave passive devices, for instance, for the newest satellite communication (SatCom) systems. Its solution can not only reduce the weight of a typical satellite's communication payload by several kilograms; its reduced size also frees up space, allowing for other functionalities to be implemented.
In collaboration with the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), the startup applied for a patent for its novel metamaterial design and has produced various prototypes proving the capabilities of its technology. Its Ku band filter, for instance, demonstrates MinWave's competitive edge, being ten times lighter and smaller than a competitor's product with the same radio frequency specifications.
MinWave is focusing on the SatCom market first: with an estimated 100,000 passive filters currently in orbit, the revenue potential is around USD 600 million. Other markets for microwave devices and antenna feed technologies encompass applications in automotive and other radars, medical microwave devices, radio links, and 5G infrastructure. The total microwave device market is projected to be around USD 8 billion, growing at a yearly rate of 6.24%.
The startup will invest the CHF 150,000 awarded by Venture Kick in the production process as well as the expansion of marketing and business development.
MinWave was founded by Dr. Maliheh Khatibi (CTO), a radio frequency design expert and postdoctoral researcher at the EPFL's Laboratory of Wave Engineering (LWE) who invented the technology; Dr. Mostafa Khosrow (CEO), a mechanics and materials expert with years of industry experience; and Prof. Romain Fleury, a world-class subwavelength wave engineering expert, and head of the EPFL's LWE.
"Venture Kick was valuable for us," the co-founders said. "The program's feedback and structure helped us move smoothly from the scientific to the business world. The support will also be crucial for us to pave our path to a healthy seed round."
MinWave's team (from left to right): Dr. Maliheh Khatibi (CTO), Dr. Mostafa Khosrow (CEO), and Dr. Roman Fleury
MinWave's innovative use of electromagnetic metamaterials and additive manufacturing enables the fabrication of miniaturized micro- and millimeter-wave passive devices, for instance, for the newest satellite communication (SatCom) systems. Its solution can not only reduce the weight of a typical satellite's communication payload by several kilograms; its reduced size also frees up space, allowing for other functionalities to be implemented.
In collaboration with the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), the startup applied for a patent for its novel metamaterial design and has produced various prototypes proving the capabilities of its technology. Its Ku band filter, for instance, demonstrates MinWave's competitive edge, being ten times lighter and smaller than a competitor's product with the same radio frequency specifications.
MinWave is focusing on the SatCom market first: with an estimated 100,000 passive filters currently in orbit, the revenue potential is around USD 600 million. Other markets for microwave devices and antenna feed technologies encompass applications in automotive and other radars, medical microwave devices, radio links, and 5G infrastructure. The total microwave device market is projected to be around USD 8 billion, growing at a yearly rate of 6.24%.
The startup will invest the CHF 150,000 awarded by Venture Kick in the production process as well as the expansion of marketing and business development.
MinWave was founded by Dr. Maliheh Khatibi (CTO), a radio frequency design expert and postdoctoral researcher at the EPFL's Laboratory of Wave Engineering (LWE) who invented the technology; Dr. Mostafa Khosrow (CEO), a mechanics and materials expert with years of industry experience; and Prof. Romain Fleury, a world-class subwavelength wave engineering expert, and head of the EPFL's LWE.
"Venture Kick was valuable for us," the co-founders said. "The program's feedback and structure helped us move smoothly from the scientific to the business world. The support will also be crucial for us to pave our path to a healthy seed round."
MinWave's team (from left to right): Dr. Maliheh Khatibi (CTO), Dr. Mostafa Khosrow (CEO), and Dr. Roman Fleury