GoKawiilModal Motors builds electric motors without rare-earth magnets, targets Disrupt pitch
Startup Modal Motors, founded by Michael Van Steenburg, is developing electric motors that avoid rare-earth magnets altogether, aiming to manufacture in the U.S. rather than rely on Chinese supply chains. The company is preparing two products—a small drone motor and a flat 'Hybrid Enigma Drive' motor—ahead of its appearance in Startup Battlefield 200 at TechCrunch Disrupt next month.