Makani Power is seeking to harness high-altitude wind energy to produce energy at an unsubsidized real cost significantly below that of the least expensive coal-fired power plants, the current benchmark of the lowest cost source of power. Along with solar, wind represents the only renewable source of energy that is substantially larger than the world’s current energy needs. Moreover, of all of the renewable energy technologies (wind, solar, tidal, hydroelectric, biomass, geothermal), high-altitude wind has the largest energy per square foot. Capturing a small fraction of the global high-altitude wind energy flux could be sufficient to supply the current energy needs of the globe. Makani is developing high-altitude wind energy extraction technologies aimed at the most powerful wind resources.

Financials

Date Type Amount Investors Valuation
10/10/06 Series A 10M Stuart Mill Venture Partners Unknown
01/01/08 Series B 5M Unknown

People

Sebastian Marino (Chief Software Architect)

Zola Volsan (accounting & HR manager)

Saul Griffith (President & Chief Scientist)

Geoffrey Dolan (Engineer)

View more details about all 6 people at Makani Power

Competitors

Mariah Power: Mariah Power provides low-cost, highly aesthetic, noise-free wind power appliances for use with commercial, residential and… See Company Profile »

View more details about this company's competitors

News

Wind Power Holdings snags $37M for wind turbines

September 30, 2008 7:47 am

As the rest of the economy tanks, the cleantech sector has remained buoyant, with investors continuing to dump cash into… Continue reading ⟩

Makani Power takes in $5M for high-altitude wind energy

August 23, 2008 9:44 pm

Stealth startup Makani Power, an Alameda, Calif.-based wind energy company, has secured $5 million in second round funding from returning… Continue reading ⟩

Could a big geothermal energy play be next for Google.org?

May 20, 2008 10:47 pm

Google.org, Google’s philanthropic arm, has taken a number of stakes in solar and wind startups over the past year, most… Continue reading ⟩