Meet Skypull CEO Reinout Oussoren and find out more about his connection to Richard Branson

Venture Leader Technology Reinout Oussoren is the CEO of Skypull, a company that advances a scalable technology providing affordable and clean energy for everyone and contributes to accelerating the world’s transition to renewable energy. Find out more about Reinout's expectations for the upcoming roadshow, the challenges and rewards of being a serial entrepreneur, and how drinking Red Bull helps develop drones that derive energy from altitude winds.

In October, the Venture Leaders Technology 2020 will embark on their week-long roadshow to accelerate their expansion into the US market and build a business network through meetings with top-notch investors and industry leaders in Silicon Valley. To shorten the waiting time, we will introduce you to the members of the Swiss National Startup Team. We asked each entrepreneur to complete a short profile and choose five questions from a questionnaire about their personal and professional life: 

Name: Reinout Oussoren
Job title: CEO of Skypull
Location: Lugano
Nationality: Swiss
Number of employees: 13 (as of 06/2020)
First touchpoint with Venturelab: In early 2020, during the Venture Leaders pitch session

“Skypull is developing an airborne wind energy system that consists of a patented drone (UAV) that operates between 200 and 800 meters of elevation and captures strong altitude winds, enabling the production of abundant low-cost electricity in almost any location around the globe.”

How and where did you come up with the idea for your startup?
It was co-founder and Chief Research and Development Officer Aldo Cattano who—while being involved in the development of traditional wind turbine blades—came up with the idea of using a drone to derive energy from altitude winds. It took several brainstorming sessions to convince others to join the team and form the business in 2017. 

What do you expect from the Venture Leaders Technology roadshow, and how will it help you achieve your vision?
I hope to attract potential investors to participate in our second seed round. This seed round is critical for us to realize our market demonstrator, which forms the basis of our first commercial 100 kW airborne wind energy system targeted for 2022.

What is the most challenging aspect of being a founder? 
At times, it can be very lonely out there. Dealing with challenging items, whether on the financial or personnel front, may prove to be difficult. 

Who is a business person you admire and why? 
Richard Branson. A serial entrepreneur who has been able to build strong teams around him that have been successful in building some amazing businesses. Through another business of mine, we have supplied him with three wind turbines for his private Caribbean retreat at Necker Island. 

What is the best advice you have ever received and from whom? 
Back in the days, my first boss in the Netherlands told me that you have to lead by example. Do not expect others to do what you are not living and breathing. He was damn right.

What is always in your fridge? 
Yogurt “nature,” for an excellent fruit muesli in the morning and Red Bull to get wings during the day or even in the evening. 

What are you most proud of? 
The three businesses I have started and am or have been successful with. They all have provided multiple people a job they like and an opportunity to excel in what they are doing.

Last but not least, can you show us your workplace? 


For more information and updates on Skypull and the Venture Leaders Technology, follow the Venture Leaders Technology 2020 team with #VleadersTech on social media or subscribe to our newsletter. 

This year’s Venture Leaders Technology roadshow to Silicon Valley is supported by DPD, Kellerhals Carrard, Rothschild & Co Bank, Canton de Vaud, EPF Lausanne, and ETH Zurich.