Neal Richner

CEO, Airloom Energy

Airloom harnesses the power of the wind to propel wings along a lightweight track. The system has the potential to generate the same amount of electricity as a conventional three-bladed wind turbine, at a fraction of the cost. The system design is also comprised of smaller structural components, which means the system could be deployed in expeditionary environments, and to locations where infrastructure and heavy equipment are unavailable. This makes Airloom not only compelling for large, gigawatt-scale projects, but also for use in defense and humanitarian applications. This presentation will provide an overview of the Airloom and its potential applications. Mr. Rickner will also discuss the current technical challenges and opportunities. 

Neal is a technology entrepreneur and investor who specializes in energy and aerospace. He is currently the CEO of Airloom Energy, an early-stage wind technology company that has the potential to disrupt the utility-scale wind energy market. Before Airloom, Neal served as the CEO of BridgeTek Energy and the Managing Partner of Elevation Ventures. Prior to these roles, Neal spent nearly a decade at Google and Google[x] leading teams and developing energy projects. Prior to working in tech, Neal served 12 years on active duty in the US Marine Corps as an F/A-18 pilot and forward air controller. He transitioned from active duty in 2009, earning dual master’s degrees (business and international affairs) from Columbia University.

Related Resources