Do you have a phone charger that I could borrow? This question may soon be obsolete if GuRu has a say. This LA company is creating wireless power and charging technology that will completely reimagine the concept of charging devices. With GuRu’s technology, “smart” beams of radio waves are created from a generating unit that plugs into the wall, and these beams transport energy through the air and locate the device that needs to be charged. GuRu’s products include a mobile unit that can charge devices around a house, a retail store, or even a warehouse.
LA TechWatch spoke with Florian Bohn about the future of wireless charging and Guru’s recent funding round.
Who were your investors and how much did you raise?
$15M Series A. Lead investor, Kairos Ventures with participation from BOLD Capital Partners.
Tell us about the product or service that GuRu offers.
We are developing and bringing to market a wireless power and charging technology that works over the air. Think of your cell phone charging while it’s on your table. You just put it down. No other action needed.
What inspired the start of GuRu?
An idea in a research lab at Caltech with the possibility of starting a company one day. It is now year eight according to my count (but I did not join from the get-go).
How is GuRu different?
Our technology is different because it provides a new capability.
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What market are you targeting and how big is it?
We are targeting multiple markets through different channels and GTM partners.
What types of products will GuRu integrate with first?
Industrial IoT and smart home devices – most likely.
What’s your business model?
Marketing through partners, developing and selling custom hardware and software to partners.
What was the funding process like?
We went from research lab directly to Series A.
What are the biggest challenges that you faced while raising capital?
Identifying the right investors that work for your team and your idea.
What factors about your business led your investors to write the check?
Technology and the founder’s credentials.
What are the milestones you plan to achieve in the next six months?
More engagement, more visibility, more market penetration
What advice can you offer companies in Los Angeles that do not have a fresh injection of capital in the bank?
Always be in fundraising mode. Do the one thing that is most important to your business success.
What is your favorite LA bar, when you need to kick back and relax?
Slaters 50/50 in Pasadena.
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