Windworks

What Windworks does

Windworks SA is a Swiss EPFL spin-off, founded in October 2023 (with underlying R&D dating to June 2018), that develops intelligent real-time blade control systems for vertical-axis wind turbines (VAWTs). Its core technology is a proprietary control framework that uses an IP67-rated sensor belt (five MEMs pressure sensors per blade, 100Hz accelerometers, solar-powered) and on-blade microcontrollers to dynamically adjust blade orientation in real time, achieving a 3x efficiency increase, 70% reduction in structural vibrations, and 68% reduction in wake deficits compared to unactuated VAWTs. The cluster-based, physics-informed self-learning algorithm adapts to local wind conditions and turbine geometry within approximately one week of operation.

The company's product ecosystem comprises a 100kW commercial-scale VAWT (producing approximately 200 MWh/year at 5m/s wind speeds), the retrofittable Real-Time Blade Control Framework, and a web-based control software platform with remote monitoring and diagnostics. Windworks sells through direct enterprise field sales targeting Commercial & Industrial users, Agricultural Operations, and Communities/Local Projects, with planned geographic expansion into the UK and India alongside its Swiss home base. Revenue is expected to come from three streams: hardware sales of turbines, licensing of the control framework for retrofit on existing actuated VAWTs, and integration/professional services.

Windworks is pre-revenue, pre-seed stage, and has secured approximately CHF 300,000 in non-dilutive grants (BRIDGE, EPFL Innogrant, Innovation Booster) plus a CHF 50,000 Venture Kick convertible loan, while actively raising a CHF 600,000 pre-seed round launched in December 2024. The company holds CE compliance and IEC 61400 alignment, and its proof-of-concept was published in Nature Communications in April 2024. Named pilot customers include the Municipality of Écublens (district heating integration) and a forward-thinking Swiss farm (agricultural energy autonomy).

Name

Windworks

Legal name

Windworks SA

Website

https://windworks.ai

Company type

Private

Founded year

2023

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Windworks SA is a Swiss EPFL spin-off that builds smart vertical-axis wind turbines with proprietary real-time blade control, serving commercial, industrial, agricultural, and municipal customers seeking affordable on-site renewable energy.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Wind Energy Equipment

NAICS

Turbine and Turbine Generator Set Units Manufacturing (333611)

SIC

Engines & Turbines (3510)

akta.pro primary industry

Wind Turbine OEMs & System Integration (Nacelle/Generator/Controls) (EUAMACAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Wind Turbine OEM Manufacturing (Nacelles, Drivetrains, Generators) (EUAMAHAD), Advanced Wind Technology R&D (Floating Offshore, Airborne Wind, New Rotor/Blade Concepts) (EUAMAOAB), Onshore Wind Power Generation (Utility-Scale) (EUACAFAA)

Keywords

• Vertical-axis wind turbines
• Wind turbine control systems
• Distributed wind energy
• On-site power generation
• Renewable energy hardware

Headquarters

HQ city

Cheseaux

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Personnel, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Operations

Revenue model

1. Smart Wind Turbine Hardware Sales: Sale of commercial-scale vertical-axis wind turbines with integrated real-time blade control technology. Turbines designed for on-site power generation with 25-year design life.
2. Control Framework Licensing: Software licensing and implementation services for the real-time blade control framework. Can be retrofitted onto existing VAWTs with actuated blades.
3. Technology Integration Services: Custom implementation services including sensor retrofitting, control objective configuration, system integration, and ongoing monitoring support.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Windworks designs, builds, and sells commercial-scale vertical-axis wind turbines equipped with a proprietary real-time blade control framework that uses on-blade sensors, microcontrollers, and actuators to dynamically adjust blade orientation. The integrated system delivers on-site power generation for commercial, industrial, agricultural, and municipal customers, with 100 kW rated output, 200 MWh annual production at 5 m/s wind speed, and a 25-year design life. The company also licenses the control framework for retrofit onto existing VAWTs and provides integration and monitoring services.

Product overview

Windworks offers a unified product ecosystem centered on actively controlled vertical-axis wind turbines for clean, local, and affordable on-site energy production. The core offering combines three integrated components: (1) Windworks VAWT hardware (100kW commercial-scale turbine), (2) the proprietary Real-Time Blade Control Framework using on-blade sensors and microcontrollers, and (3) Wind Turbines Control Software providing monitoring, diagnostics, and optimization via web interface. The technology demonstrably achieves 3x efficiency gains and 70% reduction in structural vibrations compared to conventional turbines.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Windworks Vertical-Axis Wind Turbine (VAWT)

Quantifiable outcome

• 3x increase in power production vs standard fixed-wing VAWT
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability3 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• IMD Business SchoolcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 December 2025Selected by IMD Startup Competition as one of 13 startups to collaborate with Executive MBA participants from May-July 2026, culminating in pitching to VCs in Silicon Valley.
• Municipality of ÉcublenscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Collaboration to pilot smart vertical-axis wind turbines in powering a central district heating system. Project evaluates feasibility of replacing fossil fuel-based heating with renewable alternatives, integrating heat pumps that recover energy from Lake Geneva. A reduced-scale 5-meter diameter turbine will be deployed in summer 2025 as a living lab demonstration.
• Tech4Regen AcceleratorcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Selected as one of only 2 startups in the energy vertical of the 2025 Tech4Regen cohort. 8-month program to help scale up and industrialize turbines while embedding regenerative strategies in operations.
• Energy & Environment Accelerator 2025/26coreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Part of a cohort of eight Swiss energy startups in program organized by RUNWAY Startup Incubator, Startup Campus, and ZHAW Zurich University of Applied Sciences. 6-month program focused on finding talent, meeting partners, and connecting with investors.
• ZHAW / Swissnex India / STARTUP CAMPUSminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Participated in India market discovery camp organized by ZHAW, Swiss Leading House South Asia, Swissnex in India, and STARTUP CAMPUS. Opportunity to explore Indian market with booming economy and massive renewable energy build-out goals (500 GW by 2030).
• Agile Wind Power AGcoreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2024Agile Wind Power AG provided their Vertical Sky A2, a 2-meter diameter wind turbine prototype, for Windworks to implement the real-time blade control framework. Windworks designed, built, and tested instrumented wind turbine blades capable of sensing and responding to wind conditions, interfacing with Agile's blade pitch motors for real-time control.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Broad incumbents

• Vestas Wind Systems: Global #1 wind turbine OEM serving utility-scale onshore and offshore markets with horizontal-axis turbines. Comparable as a wind turbine manufacturer, though addressing utility-scale rather than Windworks' distributed VAWT niche.
• Enercon GmbH: Major German wind turbine manufacturer producing onshore HAWTs with strong European installed base. Comparable as a European wind OEM with relevant regulatory and certification experience (IEC 61400, CE) for market entry.
• GE Renewable Energy: Broad wind turbine OEM (now part of GE Vernova) producing utility-scale HAWTs. Comparable as a major incumbent wind manufacturer; competing indirectly via scale economics rather than the distributed VAWT niche.
• Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy: Major wind turbine OEM with broad onshore and offshore HAWT portfolio plus service offerings. Comparable as a full-scope wind turbine manufacturer, though focused on utility-scale projects where Windworks does not compete.

Emerging players

• Ogin Inc. US-based VAWT developer using shrouded vertical-axis designs for distributed wind. Comparable technology category with a focus on commercial-scale on-site generation similar to Windworks' positioning.
• Kliux Energies: Spanish VAWT manufacturer focused on small-scale distributed generation for commercial and residential customers. Comparable as a VAWT specialist addressing similar distributed-wind use cases in Europe.
• Urban Green Energy (UGE): Distributor/integrator of small wind turbines (including VAWTs) for commercial, telecom, and off-grid applications. Comparable as a distributed-wind player serving commercial customers.

Direct peers

• Agile Wind Power AG: Swiss VAWT company that supplied the Vertical Sky A2 prototype turbine which Windworks instrumented. Directly comparable as a small-scale VAWT developer; existing technology partner and most direct competitor in the Swiss VAWT space.
• Turbina Energy AG: Switzerland-based VAWT startup focused on small-to-medium scale vertical-axis turbines for distributed generation. Closely comparable in technology category, geography, and target use cases; emerging direct competitor.
• Quietrevolution Ltd: UK-based VAWT developer producing small vertical-axis turbines for distributed and urban applications. Comparable as a VAWT specialist targeting similar commercial and community segments.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/windworksai

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors2 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Windworks