Magnetics Business & Technology - May/June 2021 - 14

FEATURE ARTICLE

New Aerospace Propulsion Firm, LaunchPoint EPS, Prepared for Takeoff into Electric Aircraft
Markets

A team of high-level engineers and business executives from
southern California are betting big on the future of electric-powered flight with the formation of a new startup, LaunchPoint Electric Propulsion Solutions. Central to the effort are their powerdense electric motor technology, control software and innovative
system design.
The fledgling aerospace firm emerges from longstanding, Goletabased technology incubator and think tank, LaunchPoint Technologies, a leader in cutting-edge engineering design located
near Santa Barbara. The new venture will specialize in supplying
advanced modeling and design software, hardware in the form
of electric motors, hybrid gensets and controllers, and control
software for the world's fast-growing electric-and hybrid-electricpowered aircraft sector. This includes flight applications under development by companies such as major automotive companies,
Uber and its air taxi affiliates and the U.S. military, ranging from
cargo-carrying drones to airborne passenger taxis.

LaunchPoint EPS has acquired all the assets and know-how of
LaunchPoint Technologies related to the electric motor, hybridelectric gensets and controller business including patents, intellectual property and proprietary processes, contracts, product orders, inventory, facilities, key personnel, and employees.
Robert Reali, an experienced leader of early-stage technology
companies, will serve as the new firm's chief executive officer.
Previously, he was chief operations officer for Santa Barbarabased startup TrueVision where he helped grow the company
from four employees to a major eye-surgery device firm that was
acquired by Alcon, a division of Novartis, in 2019.
" The new company is focused on serving the surging urban air
mobility market which has increased the demand for our powerdense electric motors and control software by the world's largest
players in this space, " said Reali. " The main reason for the spinout
from LaunchPoint Technologies is to focus on shipping the products we invented. However, we will also continue the tradition of
developing innovative new products to address market needs. "
LaunchPoint Technologies co-founders UCSB Professor Emeritus Dr.
Brad Paden and brother, Dave Paden, will be part of the LaunchPoint
EPS management team serving as chief scientist and vice president of
manufacturing, respectively, along with former CEO Mike Ricci, now
LaunchPoint EPS chief technology officer, and Brian Clark, engineering director.
Chris Grieco, previously executive vice president of bulk energy storage company Gravity Power, will serve as vice president for global
business development and sales. Pictured in the photo above, left to
right, are Reali, Clark, Brad Paden, Grieco, Dave Paden and Ricci.

Magnetics Business & Technology * May/June 2021

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Magnetics Business & Technology - May/June 2021

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