Mainfranken Racing
Mainfranken Racing is a non-profit student racing association at THWS that designs and builds electric, autonomous Formula Student race cars for international competition, supported by 50+ corporate sponsors and individual cell-sponsorship donations.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2006
- HeadquartersSchweinfurt, Germany
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Mainfranken Racing does
Mainfranken Racing is the Formula Student team of the Technische Hochschule Würzburg-Schweinfurt (THWS), organized as a registered non-profit student association (eingetragener Verein, e.V.) under German law and headquartered at Ignaz-Schön-Straße 11 in Schweinfurt, Bavaria. Founded on 26 September 2006, the team operates as a volunteer, unpaid organization of 50+ active student members across eight departments (Board, Marketing & Sponsoring, Statics, Chassis & Aerodynamics, Suspension, Driverless, Drivetrain, High & Low Voltage), and competes in international Formula Student competitions including FSGermany, FSFrance, FSItaly, and FSCzech.
The team designs and builds an electric Formula Student race car annually, with technical progression running from the MF1 combustion debut (2007) through full aerodynamics (MF7, 2014), the switch to electric propulsion (MF12, 2019), an in-house monocoque composite chassis (MF14, 2022), a fully functional driverless/autonomous system (MF15, 2023), the MF17 rollout (June 2025), and an in-development all-wheel-drive MF18 planned for 2026. Proprietary work spans composite monocoque construction, aerodynamic front/rear wings, high-voltage battery systems built from hundreds of individual cells, autonomous sensor and software integration, and (in development) four-wheel drivetrain architecture. Current leadership comprises Feliks Burdygov (CEO), Hans Eschenbacher (CTO Mechanics), Felix Nieten (CTO Electronics), Niklas Wegner (CFO), and Noel Hachay (CCO).
The organization's business model is sponsorship- and donation-driven rather than commercial. Corporate sponsors across Platinum, Gold, Silver, Bronze, and Supporter tiers (50+ partners including Schaeffler, Vector, JOPP, PINK, Siemens, Infineon, Altium, DEKRA, Leoni, Liebherr, and Würth Elektronik) contribute financial support, materials, and engineering expertise in exchange for logo placement on cars, apparel, and at events, plus recruiting access to engineering students. A Cell Sponsorship Program allows individuals to sponsor individual battery cells (€5) or battery containers (€10) with names engraved on the components, and free donations are accepted with tax-deductible status under the e.V. structure. The team has secured 1st Overall & Driverless at FSItaly 2025, 1st Overall at FSFrance 2024, and 3rd Driverless at FSCzech 2024.
Mainfranken Racing firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Mainfranken Racing
- Legal name
- Mainfranken Racing e.V.
- Website
- https://mainfranken-racing.de
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2006
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Mainfranken Racing is a non-profit student racing association at THWS that designs and builds electric, autonomous Formula Student race cars for international competition, supported by 50+ corporate sponsors and individual cell-sponsorship donations.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Mainfranken Racing industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Formula Student Motorsport Engineering
- NAICS
- Sports Teams and Clubs (711211)
- SIC
- Services-Racing, Including Track Operation (7948)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Motorsports Teams & Entrants (Factory & Independent) (MPAKAGAB)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Motorsports Teams (F1, NASCAR, IndyCar, Rally, MotoGP, etc.) (MPAKABAB)
Keywords
Where Mainfranken Racing is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Schweinfurt
- HQ country
- Germany
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Mainfranken Racing business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Personnel
Revenue model
- Corporate Sponsorship: Mainfranken Racing operates a multi-tiered corporate sponsorship program with Platinum, Gold, Silver, Bronze tiers and Supporter categories. Sponsors provide financial support, materials, manufacturing expertise, and other assistance. Benefits include logo placement on race car, team apparel, website, and visibility at events, trade shows, and social media channels.
- Cell Sponsorship Program: Individual supporters can sponsor battery cells (€5 contribution) or battery containers (€10 contribution) in the electric race car. Their name or custom text is engraved directly onto the cells/container. This creates direct tangible connection to the race car.
- Recruiting & Network Benefits for Sponsors: Sponsors gain direct contact with motivated students from various fields (engineering, media, business) for potential future talent recruitment. This creates value for sponsors through campus recruiting opportunities.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | One-time | €5 contribution - Battery Cell Sponsorship |
| Unit Pricing | One-time | €10 contribution - Battery Container Sponsorship |
| Other | One-time | Free/Variable Donation |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels6 records
Mainfranken Racing product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Mainfranken Racing is the Formula Student team of the Technische Hochschule Würzburg-Schweinfurt (THWS), founded in 2006. The team designs, builds, and races electric formula-style race cars annually for international Formula Student competitions, and operates a Cell Sponsorship Program that allows individual supporters to fund individual battery cells (€5) or battery containers (€10) in the high-voltage battery with name engraving. All team work is performed on a voluntary, unpaid basis by student members across engineering, media, and business disciplines.
Product overview
Mainfranken Racing is a student Formula Student team at THWS (Technische Hochschule Würzburg-Schweinfurt) that builds electric race cars for international competitions. The core product offering consists of Formula Student race vehicles (currently the MF17, with MF18 in development featuring all-wheel drive). The team also offers a Cell Sponsorship Program where supporters can purchase naming rights on battery cells (€5) or battery containers (€10) in the electric race car. The team competes in multiple international Formula Student events including FSItaly, FSGermany, FSCzech, and FSFrance.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Formula Student Electric Race Cars (MF-series) Electric Formula Student race cars designed and built annually by the THWS student team for international Formula Student competitions, featuring a monocoque composite chassis, autonomous/driverless capabilities, full aerodynamics package, and high-voltage battery system. The current generation is the MF17; the next (MF18) introduces all-wheel drive.
- Cell Sponsorship Program
Quantifiable outcome
- First place Overall & Driverless at FSItaly 2025
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Mainfranken Racing
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Mainfranken Racing technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Mainfranken Racing partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
20 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major, standard and minor.
- SchaefflercorePlatinum sponsor and host of annual MF17 rollout event at Schaeffler Schweinfurt facility. Provides financial support and manufacturing expertise for race car development.
- Drivetrain InnovationmajorGold sponsor providing drivetrain expertise and components for the electric race car.
- Bike ahead compositesmajorGold sponsor providing composite materials expertise and components for chassis and aerodynamic development.
- JOPPmajorGold sponsor providing connector and component solutions.
- FGBmajorGold sponsor supporting team operations.
- GeissmajorGold sponsor providing manufacturing support.
- VectormajorGold sponsor providing development tools and software solutions for vehicle electronics.
- MaximatorjetmajorGold sponsor providing additive manufacturing or production technology.
- PINKmajorGold sponsor specializing in vacuum technology.
- DEKRAstandardSilver sponsor providing testing and certification expertise.
- SiemensstandardSilver sponsor providing software tools and engineering solutions.
- Leoni AGstandardSilver sponsor providing cable and wiring solutions for vehicle electrical systems.
- InfineonstandardSilver sponsor providing semiconductor components for electronics.
- AltiumstandardSilver sponsor providing PCB design software tools.
- Technische Hochschule Würzburg-Schweinfurt (THWS)coreSilver sponsor and affiliated university providing institutional support, facilities, and student recruitment for Mainfranken Racing.
- LiebherrminorBronze sponsor providing mechanical components.
- BroseminorBronze sponsor providing automotive components.
- Carl HirschmannminorSupporter providing hydraulic or fluid power components.
- Fischer-HydraulikminorSupporter providing hydraulic solutions.
- e bm-papstminorSupporter providing fan and motor technology.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Mainfranken Racing competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- AMZ Racing: Formula Student team at ETH Zurich, one of the most decorated European FS teams with multiple world championship titles. Comparable as a leading DACH-region university FS team with extensive industry sponsorship.
- Running Snail Racing Team: Formula Student team at TU Berlin. Comparable as a German university-based FS team developing electric race cars with corporate sponsorship.
- PoliMOVE: Formula Student team at Politecnico di Milano, Italy. Comparable as a European university-based electric/autonomous FS team competing in the same international events (FSItaly, FSGermany).
- TUfast eMotorsports: Formula Student electric team at TU Munich, one of the most successful German FS teams with multiple competition wins. Directly comparable as a German university-based electric Formula Student team with corporate sponsorship model.
- KA-RaceIng: Formula Student team at Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), a leading German technical university. Comparable as a German university FS team competing in international electric and driverless events with similar corporate sponsorship structure.
- TU Graz Racing Team: Formula Student team at Graz University of Technology, Austria. Comparable as a DACH-region university electric FS team competing in Formula Student events with corporate sponsorship model.
- e-gnition Hamburg: Formula Student electric team at Hamburg University of Technology (TUHH). Comparable as a German university-based FS electric team with corporate sponsorship.
- GreenTeam: Formula Student electric team at University of Stuttgart. Comparable as a Baden-Württemberg university-based electric FS team with similar industry sponsor base in automotive and manufacturing.
Emerging players
- Global Formula Racing: Joint Formula Student team between Oregon State University and DHBW Ravensburg. Comparable as a university-based FS team with electric and driverless vehicles, though primarily competing in FS events with a US-German joint structure.
Broad incumbents
- Formula Student Germany: The organizer of the largest Formula Student competition globally, held annually at Hockenheimring. Comparable as the broader ecosystem organizer that defines the competitive framework in which Mainfranken Racing competes.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Mainfranken Racing social profiles
Digital presenceMainfranken Racing financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Mainfranken Racing leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles7 records
Mainfranken Racing funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Mainfranken Racing 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 Mainfranken Racing
What does Mainfranken Racing do?
Mainfranken Racing is the Formula Student team of the Technische Hochschule Würzburg-Schweinfurt (THWS), founded in 2006. The team designs, builds, and races electric formula-style race cars annually for international Formula Student competitions, and operates a Cell Sponsorship Program that allows individual supporters to fund individual battery cells (€5) or battery containers (€10) in the high-voltage battery with name engraving. All team work is performed on a voluntary, unpaid basis by student members across engineering, media, and business disciplines.
Is Mainfranken Racing a public or private company?
Mainfranken Racing is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Mainfranken Racing founded?
Mainfranken Racing was founded in 2006. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Mainfranken Racing based?
Mainfranken Racing is headquartered in Schweinfurt, Germany, in the Europe region.
How does Mainfranken Racing make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Corporate Sponsorship is the primary driver. The others are cell Sponsorship Program and recruiting & Network Benefits for Sponsors.
Who are Mainfranken Racing's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are AMZ Racing, Running Snail Racing Team, PoliMOVE, TUfast eMotorsports, KA-RaceIng, TU Graz Racing Team, e-gnition Hamburg and GreenTeam. Global Formula Racing is listed as an emerging player. Formula Student Germany is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does Mainfranken Racing have an API?
No public API is recorded for Mainfranken Racing.
What industry is Mainfranken Racing in?
Mainfranken Racing's product category is Formula Student Motorsport Engineering. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAKAGAB, Motorsports Teams & Entrants (Factory & Independent), with a secondary code of MPAKABAB, Motorsports Teams (F1, NASCAR, IndyCar, Rally, MotoGP, etc.). Its NAICS code is 711211 and its SIC code is 7948.