DeepDrive

About DeepDrive

DeepDrive is a Munich-based technology company developing patented drive units for electric vehicles (EVs). The company was founded in 2021 by a group of engineers who met at the Technical University of Munich's student motorsport team and later gained experience at automotive companies like Bosch, Audi, and Infineon. The founding team includes Felix Poernbacher, Stefan Ender, Alexander Rosen, Christopher Römmelmayer, Maximilian Habersbrunner, Markus Domme, and Dean Petrovski.

The company's core product is its patented dual-rotor, radial-flux motor technology. This design features an inner and outer rotor that sandwiches the stator, which increases torque and power density from a compact unit. DeepDrive claims this architecture can increase an EV's range by up to 20%, uses significantly less iron and magnetic material, and reduces costs compared to conventional electric motors. The technology is versatile and can be implemented as either a central drive unit or as an in-wheel motor. DeepDrive has developed two central drive variants, the CSD 450 and CSD 700, aimed at different vehicle segments. In October 2023, DeepDrive announced a strategic partnership with automotive supplier Continental to jointly develop a combined drive-brake unit integrated directly into the wheel.

DeepDrive operates on a collaborative business model, working directly with automotive original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to integrate its technology. The company is currently engaged in co-development projects with eight of the world's ten largest automakers. Revenue is expected to be generated from the large-scale series production of its drive units, with the first projects scheduled to launch from 2028. The company has secured significant funding to facilitate this, having raised a total of $54.4 million over four rounds. Its most recent funding was a €30 million Series B round in September 2024, led by Leitmotif with participation from existing investors including BMW i Ventures, Continental's venture arm co-pace, UVC Partners, and Bayern Kapital. This capital is being used to build in-house production lines and industrialize its technology for mass adoption.