The realisation of the Hardt Hyperloop is another step closer now that the start-up has received an investment of 1.25 million euros. Among others, Exact and footballer Gregory van der Wiel are investing in the high-tech transport tube.
Hardt, the Dutch start-up developing the hyperloop, has secured 1.25 million euros in a new funding round. Thanks to this investring, the realisation of the hyperloop is a step closer. The hyperloop is a technology designed to make it possible to travel through a high-tech vacuum tube Using magnetic fields, a floating capsule is propelled at a speed of more than 1,000 kilometres per hour. The company is currently working with the Dutch government and the business community on plans to build a test facility in Flevoland. Several investors are already involved in this.
Pioneers
In its first year of existence, Hardt, a spinoff of TU Delft, has become the leading player in terms of hyperloop technology in Europe. Construction company BAM, NS and regional investment fund UNIIQ have been involved as investors since the beginning. The company is also receiving support from the government for the construction of the test facility. The government considers it important for the Netherlands to be the first with a hyperloop track. In an earlier interview, former infrastructure minister Melanie Schultz van Haegen still compared the test facility's inventors to pioneers such as Anthony Fokker and Albert Plesman. "A century ago, they too could not foresee what their aviation innovations would bring about." Tim Houter, co-founder and CEO, is happy with the new round of investment but also knows that there is still much to be done. "Our goal is to build the world's first high-speed hyperloop test facility in the Netherlands. We cannot do that alone. That's why we are calling on top talents, potential investors and the business community to join us."
Should everything go as Houter and his colleagues envisage, the Netherlands will have the first hyperloop test facility where the complete system can be tested. According to research body TNO, construction of the facility could go hand in hand with 400 jobs. Something Hardt also thinks is important. "The digital distance between people is rapidly decreasing while the physical distance is increasing. But what will it be like when time and distance no longer matter? What if you could work and live anywhere and anytime with anyone you want? These are the questions that inspire us at Hardt," Houter said.
Interest in Hardt is growing by the day and is also extremely diverse, as shown by the group of new hyperloop investors. The list of investors includes Paul van Keep, the co-founder of Exact, footballer Gregory van der Wiel and renewable energy fund Enfuro Ventures. "It is very rewarding to see that a very diverse group of investors have confidence in us. Thanks in part to their investment, in the future we will be able to transport passengers and goods through tubes with very low air resistance and over 1,000 kilometres per hour. That makes travel much more energy-efficient than travelling by air or train. With a hyperloop network, you can travel from Amsterdam to Paris in 38 minteun."
Elon Musk
Hardt won a competition organised by Elon Musk last year, the Hyperloop Pod Competition in Los Angeles. The Tesla boss has plans to create a futuristic transport system where passengers can travel long distances over land at very high speeds. He is currently installing a test tube build under a Los Angeles suburb.
A test tube was already developed on TU Delft's campus last year. The tube is 30 metres long and is designed to test all the key technologies for this innovative transport system. Unlike the competition's test track in the US, the tube is full-scale. The test facility is located in The Green Village, a laboratory on the university's campus where researchers, students and companies test new, sustainable and energy solutions
The Hyperloop can be seen at ESEF & Technishow from 20 to 23 March. Click here for your free ticket.
By: Kelly Bakker
Source + photo: Hardt
