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Swisspod, co-founded by 2 multiple award-winners of the SpaceX Hyperloop Competition — Denis Tudor, CEO, and Cyril Dénéréaz, CTO, stands at the forefront of transportation. They ventured into hyperloop technology development following an insightful conversation with industry titan Elon Musk himself, and their groundbreaking achievements garnered attention from forward thinkers, including Sir Richard Branson. Denis Tudor's track record in electrical engineering and hyperloop systems, and Cyril Dénéréaz's technical prowess, form the backbone of Swisspod's ambitious vision.

Swisspod is leading experimentation and research in high-speed transportation systems, supporting of the Distributed Electrical Systems Laboratory (DESL) at EPFL. The company built Europe's first operational hyperloop testing facility, in Switzerland, and started the construction of a second hyperloop testing facility in Colorado, USA, marking a significant milestone in the realization of their vision.

1. What ‘aha’ moment led to the founding of Swisspod?

That 'aha' moment was winning the SpaceX Hyperloop Competition in 2018 and the conversation we had with Elon Musk. That year, we landed first place for our innovative capsule design focused on safety and third place for speed. We realized the potential of our ideas and how they could revolutionize transportation as we know it, reshaping every aspect of our lives. It was time to take the prototypes out of the lab and into the real world. Because the spirit of innovation is about ensuring that what you create leaves a positive mark on the future.

2. What was your drive back then, and what change did you aim to make?

Both me and Cyril are engineers at the core, so we kickstarted Swisspod driven by our passion for technology and innovation. We were determined to tackle the complex challenges of developing a high-speed transportation system that not only surpasses existing standards, but redefines efficiency, sustainability, and safety. Plus, we knew we were in for an exciting and fun ride.

Beyond the thrill of solving technical puzzles, our moonshot mission was to revolutionize how people travel, connect, work, and live. Hyperloop is our ticket to a future where distance no longer defines our bonds or opportunities – where speed, convenience, and environmental responsibility are the norm.

3. How do you plan to sell Swisspod's hyperloop technology?

Our approach to selling our hyperloop technology centers on two main pillars. The first is selling our hyperloop capsules directly, as a turnkey solution for organizations seeking to deploy advanced high-speed transportation systems. The second is by forging partnerships with infrastructure makers exploring new markets and innovative transportation solutions.

4. How do you envision Swisspod's future growth?

Taking our technology worldwide, and revolutionizing industries, empowering businesses, and improving lives worldwide. Growth is just a part of our journey; the heart of our mission lies in driving meaningful change worldwide through progress and innovation.

5. What's the ideal customer profile of Swisspod?

Our ideal customers are governments and transportation operators. Governments can greenlight major infrastructure projects such as Hyperloop, while transportation operators will need reliable vehicles for running their Hyperloop networks.

6. What's the ideal investor profile of Swisspod?

We're looking for investors who play the long game, ideally institutional partners, willing to commit to a journey that may span even a decade. They understand that groundbreaking technologies, like hyperloop, take time to mature and monetize. With their support, we can revolutionize the industry and deliver substantial long-term value.

7. Do you have a mentor or figure whom you admire and draw inspiration from?

Elon Musk is a huge source of inspiration for me. He takes ambitious ideas and makes them happen, and has a strong commitment to tackling some of the world's most pressing challenges head-on. Elon Musk is the only entrepreneur with a track record of success in tough tech industries, from sustainable energy to space exploration. He is proof that with hard work and vision, anything is possible.

8. Why should investors consider being part of Swisspod's journey?

We're leading the path with top-notch technology and a viable, promising approach to bringing Hyperloop to the market. Our real-world progress proves it — we're making things happen! And we've got the best, most skilled team driving this forward. Investing in Swisspod is more than envisioning a thriving future, it’s about being part of history in the making.

Explore the opportunity on SeedBlink.