Gaia Turbine develops plug-and-play hydroelectric micro and mini-turbines aimed at aqueducts and minimum vital flows, reporting more than 90% efficiency. Founded in 2020 by Calogero Amato (CEO) and Franco Tommasini (CTO) and based in Lugano, the company launched its first pilot project in December 2024 at AMB (Azienda Multiservizi Bellinzona). The pilot turbine has been connected to the power grid and is demonstrating performance under real-world and variable operating conditions. Gaia Turbine recently completed a €1.15 million funding round with participation from angel investors and returning investor TiVentures SA to accelerate development. The company is using the capital to scale its market presence and advance toward full industrialisation, while evaluating potential sites for a next pilot installation. Gaia Turbine is also strengthening ties with commercial and industrial partners in Switzerland and internationally and has launched a strategic business study with Student Impact from the University of St.Gallen to explore sustainability and growth strategies. Gaia Turbine SA develops and will commercialize an innovative plug-and-play hydroelectric turbine that achieves more than 90% efficiency across a wide range of conditions. The technology was validated in 2021 by Politecnico di Milano, which confirmed the turbine's high performance compared with conventional models. Its mechanical characteristics and versatility make it initially well suited for mini and micro plants, minimum viable flows (MVF) and aqueduct installations. The company was founded in 2020 in the canton of Ticino based on inventor Franco Tommasini's idea and a team of young entrepreneurs and local professionals, and is led by CEO Calogero Amato. Gaia Turbine raised CHF 1 million in a seed investment round and will use the capital to install a pilot turbine at a hydroelectric power plant in Ticino and begin commercialization efforts. Investors include TiVentures (the seed fund of Fondazione Centenario BancaStato) and a group of business angels with entrepreneurial and financial experience.

Total raised

$2M

Funding rounds

2

Latest round

Equity

Latest activity

Mar 2025