Kitekraft: Airborne Wind Power for European Energy and Defense Resilience

KiteKraft GmbH is a Munich-based deep-tech startup pioneering a new class of airborne wind turbines. Using tethered drone-like kites with onboard rotors, the company has reimagined wind energy generation to be lighter, more portable, and highly efficient. Founded in 2019 as a spin-off from the Technical University of Munich (TUM)[1], KiteKraft builds “flying wind turbines” designed to deliver utility-scale power with a fraction of the materials of conventional wind towers[2]. Its kite-based systems, barely visible from the ground, harvest stronger winds at higher altitudes and autonomously fly in controlled patterns to generate electricity. This innovative approach not only promises cheaper and cleaner energy, but also addresses strategic concerns: a home-grown European technology that reduces reliance on heavy infrastructure and imported components. As Europe strives for energy security and technological sovereignty, KiteKraft’s vision – compact renewable generators deployable in remote locations – has captured interest beyond the civil energy sector. The prospect of mobile wind power that can replace diesel generators in the field hints at dual-use potential aligned with NATO’s push for resilient, climate-friendly operational energy[3]. In an era where Europe seeks both green transition and strategic autonomy, KiteKraft emerges as a compelling example of innovation at the nexus of clean tech and defense readiness.