Linear Labs ends seed round to fund patented electric turbine engine

Science Inc. and Kindred Ventures led the initial round of funding, with additional support from investors Chris and Crystal Sacca, Ryan Graves of Saltwater Ventures, Dynamic Signal CEO Russ Fradin, Masergy Executive Chairman and former-CEO Chris MacFarland, as well as Ustream co-founder Dr. Gyula Feher, according to a company press release. Linear Labs CEO Brad Hunstable said, "Automotive manufacturers are already looking at HET technology as the solution to size, weight and range constraints. With 45% of worldwide electricity consumption passing through an electric motor, the number of industries this technology could impact are endless." Linear Labs' HET uses multiple rotors that adapt to changing conditions while in motion, which surpasses the torque density, power density, and output per given motor size of the leading permanent magnet motor on the market and adds a minimum 10% more range, the release states. HET technology and design eliminate the need for a gearbox, which reduces production costs. The company has been issued 21 patents, with 29 currently pending. "We're thrilled to be investing in Linear Labs, which has applications that can impact nearly everything taxing our global needs," said Peter Pham, co-founder of Science Inc. "The Linear Labs HET motor has variable speed and twice the torque while using less voltage, which means it can help electric cars have better range and reduced productions costs, power electric scooters to go up hills and have longer battery life, and switch ACs to single stage motors that shut on and off to hold a temperature. We're excited to see what they accomplish next." Linear Labs was founded in 2014 in Texas by Brad and Fred Hunstable. The team invented the HET while working to design a device capable of pumping clean water and providing power for small communities in underdeveloped regions of the world. Brad Hunstable is former CEO and founder of Ustream, a live-video streaming service that IBM acquired in 2016 for USD 150 million.