Kitemill
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2008
- HeadquartersVossevangen, Norway
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
Kitemill firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Kitemill
- Legal name
- Kitemill AS
- Website
- https://kitemill.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2008
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Kitemill industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Airborne Wind Energy Systems
- NAICS
- Wind Electric Power Generation (221115), Turbine and Turbine Generator Set Units Manufacturing (333611)
- SIC
- Engines & Turbines (3510), Motors & Generators (3621)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Advanced Wind Technology R&D (Floating Offshore, Airborne Wind, New Rotor/Blade Concepts) (EUAMAOAB)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Wind Turbine OEMs & System Integration (Nacelle/Generator/Controls) (EUAMACAC), Wind Blades, Towers & Foundations Manufacturing (EUAMAHAE), Onshore Wind Power Generation (Utility-Scale) (EUACAFAA)
Keywords
Where Kitemill is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Vossevangen
- HQ country
- Norway
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
Kitemill business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- AWE System Sales: Sale of airborne wind energy systems (hardware) including KM1 pilot systems and KM2 commercial models to utilities and project developers
- Energy Production: Generation and sale of electricity from AWE installations, selling power through PPAs at market rates (Nord Pool NO2 pricing) or under feed-in tariffs
- Airspace Presence/Security Services: New commercial segment offering persistent airspace presence for border security and infrastructure monitoring, with self-funding through energy yield
- EU Funding and Grants: EU Innovation Fund, Horizon Europe, EIC Accelerator grants supporting R&D and demonstration projects (NAWEP, AWE-KM2, AWETRAIN)
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Pay-as-you-go | Feed-in Tariff support level enabling commercial viability |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels7 records
Kitemill product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Kitemill develops and manufactures Airborne Wind Energy (AWE) systems consisting of a tethered rigid-wing kite connected to a ground-based winch generator that captures wind energy at altitudes above 350 meters. The company sells its KM1 pilot platform and KM2 commercial 100 kW system to utilities and energy companies, with Power Purchase Agreements and feed-in tariff revenue models, and is also developing KiteWall for security and border surveillance applications.
Product overview
Kitemill offers a platform of airborne wind energy (AWE) products centered on tethered kite systems that generate electricity by flying in circular patterns at high altitudes (300-1500m). The core portfolio includes the KM1 pilot system for testing, the KM2 (100 kW) as the first commercial model, and the planned KM3 (500 kW) for grid parity. Supporting products include the Spark kite unit and ground-based winch generator. The company has also introduced KiteWall as a security-focused variant for airspace presence and surveillance applications. The NAWEP project demonstrates a 12-unit, 1.2 MW array as a first-of-kind commercial deployment. The technology achieves 90% less material usage than conventional wind turbines and operates at altitudes above 350 meters where winds are stronger and more consistent.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- KiteWall: A new product page for 'Airspace Presence' - Kitemill's first commercial market introduction deploying autonomous kite technology for security infrastructure, particularly for border monitoring.
- KM1
- KM2
Products and services
- KM1 System Tethered rigid-wing kite AWE platform with autonomous VTOL and BVLOS capability, serving as Kitemill's current pilot and operational platform for flight testing and commercial demonstrations. The KM1 system includes the Spark kite unit and a ground-based winch generator and is targeted at utilities and project developers evaluating AWE technology.
- KM2 System Kitemill's first commercial airborne wind energy system at 100 kW average cycle power, designed to enable utility-scale deployment of AWE technology. Targeted at energy utilities and project developers; planned for deployment in the NAWEP project (12 units, 1.2 MW total) and aligned with Germany's 130 EUR/MWh feed-in tariff for commercial viability.
- KiteWall (Airspace Presence) Security infrastructure product deploying Kitemill's autonomous kite technology for persistent airborne presence and monitoring. Carries a 20 kg payload up to 500 meters with an integrated tethered high-definition data link, providing self-funding surveillance for border security, infrastructure protection, and defense customers.
Quantifiable outcome
- 50% reduction in LCoE compared to conventional wind energy
- +7 more outcomes
Companies that use Kitemill
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Kitemill technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration1 record
Feature8 records
Kitemill partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core, strategic and minor.
- Dalane EnergicorePower Purchase Agreement (PPA) signed with Dalane Energi securing full offtake of electricity from NAWEP project at Nord Pool NO2 market pricing. This agreement establishes the commercial framework critical for the project's bankability and path to Financial Close.
- Sør EnergicoreNorwegian utility customer that acquired and accepted KM1 systems. Formed first airborne wind energy array demonstrating simultaneous operation. Sør Energi will take operator role under operational agreement. Also served as lead investor in crowdfunding campaign.
- AirDodgestrategicNorwegian U-space service provider collaboration to accelerate AWE deployment through smarter use of shared airspace. AirDodge's U-space platform will be developed and tested at Lista Airport to create scalable airspace coordination tools tailored for AWE operations.
- High Performance Composites (HPC)coreIndustrial partnership for composite production transition to pre-impregnated carbon fiber (prepreg) technology. HPC acquired and installed 8-meter autoclave enabling full wing-length curing. Collaboration supports KM2 build program and KM1 improvements.
- DTU (Technical University of Denmark)strategicAcademic host for AWETRAIN PhD program. Leads the European research and training network for AWE. PhD candidate spends 24 months at Kitemill and 12 months at DTU, bridging academic research and industrial application.
- TU DelftstrategicAcademic partner in AWETRAIN consortium, contributing to AWE concession application process and environmental assessments for NAWEP. Home of Airborne Wind Energy course where Kitemill interns originate.
- Politecnico di MilanominorAcademic partner in AWETRAIN Doctoral Network, one of leading European universities in the AWE research consortium.
- Torben BauncoreFormer Vestas senior specialist (100+ patent applications) joining as technology advisor and interim co-CTO bringing modularization and innovation expertise. Established own company in Aarhus with primary commitment to Kitemill.
- Alfred van den BrinkcoreFormer e-Kite co-founder and CTO now serving as technology advisor and interim co-CTO at Kitemill. Brings extensive AWE development experience from Netherlands.
- Exact AircraftcoreAcquired 100% in June 2023, strengthening kite manufacturing capability. Subsidiary continues operation with all employment transferred. Includes business unit, supplier contracts, tools, equipment and valuable IP rights for KM1 kite supply and assembly.
- Glitre NettstrategicGrid connection permit secured from Glitre Nett allowing NAWEP's generated power to be integrated into the regional distribution network.
- NVE (Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Directorate)strategicNorwegian regulatory authority currently reviewing Kitemill's concession application for NAWEP project. Critical for national approval and project progression.
Scale indicators19 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Kitemill competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- SkySails Power: Hamburg-based AWE developer using tethered kites for high-altitude wind energy, with maritime origins. Directly comparable to Kitemill as one of the most advanced European AWE OEMs targeting utility-scale generation.
- Ampyx Power: Dutch Airborne Wind Energy developer using a rigid-wing aircraft on a tether to drive a ground generator. Closely comparable technology category and geography to Kitemill, with shared TU Delft research links.
- Windlift: US-based Airborne Wind Energy company developing tethered rigid-wing systems for off-grid and defense applications. Directly comparable tethered-wing architecture and dual-use (energy/security) go-to-market.
- EnerKite: German AWE company developing ground-based tethered kite systems. Comparable rigid-wing AWE architecture and target European utility customer base.
- TwingTec: Swiss AWE spin-off developing a soft-kite system with a ground generator. Comparable technology category targeting utility-scale wind energy generation at high altitudes.
Broad incumbents
- Vestas: Global leader in conventional wind turbines. Kitemill's Co-CTO Torben Baun came directly from Vestas, and Vestas' cost curve and global footprint define the benchmark AWE must beat.
- Siemens Gamesa (Siemens Energy): Major incumbent wind turbine OEM serving the same European utility customers Kitemill targets. Sets the incumbent LCOE benchmark AWE must undercut to gain share.
- GE Vernova: Global wind OEM with onshore and offshore offerings. Represents the established utility-scale wind competitor against which AWE's value proposition is ultimately measured.
- Nordex: European onshore wind OEM with strong presence in Germany — the first AWE Feed-in Tariff market. Directly competes for utility capex and project pipeline in Kitemill's priority geography.
Emerging players
- Saildrone: US developer of autonomous wind- and solar-powered uncrewed surface vehicles. Comparable in its use of autonomous, tether/wing-based platforms for persistent operations, including defense and surveillance applications similar to KiteWall.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Kitemill social profiles
Digital presenceKitemill financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Kitemill leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles15 records
Kitemill subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries3 records
Kitemill funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds7 records
Investors6 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Kitemill M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Kitemill
What does Kitemill do?
Kitemill develops and manufactures Airborne Wind Energy (AWE) systems consisting of a tethered rigid-wing kite connected to a ground-based winch generator that captures wind energy at altitudes above 350 meters. The company sells its KM1 pilot platform and KM2 commercial 100 kW system to utilities and energy companies, with Power Purchase Agreements and feed-in tariff revenue models, and is also developing KiteWall for security and border surveillance applications.
Is Kitemill a public or private company?
Kitemill is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was Kitemill founded?
Kitemill was founded in 2008. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Kitemill based?
Kitemill is headquartered in Vossevangen, Norway, in the Europe region.
How does Kitemill make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. AWE System Sales are the primary driver. The others are energy Production, airspace Presence/Security Services and EU Funding and Grants.
Who are Kitemill's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are SkySails Power, Ampyx Power, Windlift, EnerKite and TwingTec. Broad incumbents are Vestas, Siemens Gamesa (Siemens Energy), GE Vernova and Nordex. Saildrone is listed as an emerging player.
Does Kitemill have an API?
No public API is recorded for Kitemill.
What industry is Kitemill in?
Kitemill's product category is Airborne Wind Energy Systems. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EUAMAOAB, Advanced Wind Technology R&D (Floating Offshore, Airborne Wind, New Rotor/Blade Concepts), with a secondary code of EUAMACAC, Wind Turbine OEMs & System Integration (Nacelle/Generator/Controls). Its NAICS code is 221115 and its SIC code is 3510.