Turntide Technologies
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Electric motors, Power electronics, Energy storage, Thermal management |
| Predecessor | Software Motor Corporation (SMC) |
| Founded | 2013 |
| Headquarters | United States |
Key people | Ryan Morris (CEO) |
| Products | Electric motors, power electronics, energy storage solutions, thermal management equipment |
Turntide Technologies (commonly known as Turntide) is a U.S.-based startup focused on the development of electric motors, power electronics, energy storage solutions, and thermal management equipment.
History
Originally established in 2013 under the name Software Motor Corporation (SMC), the enterprise adopted the Turntide Technologies brand in July 2020.
In 2018, Turntide expanded into the agricultural sector by collaborating with dairy technology provider VES to introduce DairyBOS, the Dairy Barn Operating System. This partnership culminated in a full acquisition of VES in October 2020. Subsequently, Turntide enhanced its smart barn technology portfolio by integrating VES with Canadian firm Artex Barn Solutions.
The company received notable recognition in 2020, securing a Gold Edison Award and being named Product of the Year by Environmental and Energy Leader. The following year, Fast Company included Turntide among the World's Most Innovative Companies in Energy.
In April 2021, CEO Ryan Morris revealed intentions to enter the electric vehicles (EV) industry. By June 2021, Turntide had broadened its EV presence through acquisitions including BorgWarner’s Gateshead drivetrain unit, battery manufacturer Hyperdrive, and EV control systems company AVID Technology.
Certification from Southern California Edison in 2018 demonstrated that Turntide’s V01 Smart Motor System reduced energy consumption by 23% to 57% compared to conventional AC induction motors, and achieved an 11% improvement over motors controlled by variable frequency drives. Additionally, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory verified energy savings ranging between 29% and 71% in refrigerator condenser fans powered by Turntide’s motors.
Positioning its innovative technology as essential for transitioning away from fossil fuels—given that electric motors account for roughly half of global energy usage—Turntide’s switched reluctance motor design delivers superior durability, efficiency, and power density compared to traditional analog motor designs.
Fundraising
In 2016, SMC obtained seed capital through the National Science Foundation Small Business Innovation Research program, followed by a subsequent investment round in 2017. That same year, Turntide also secured funding from Wells Fargo's Innovation Incubator.
September 2020 marked Amazon’s investment in Turntide as part of its initial cohort of five recipients under the Climate Pledge Fund. Simultaneously, funding was secured from Future Shape, led by Nest co-founder Tony Fadell. By March 2021, additional financing came from Bill Gates' Breakthrough Energy Ventures, actor Robert Downey Jr.'s FootPrint Coalition, Fifth Wall Capital, and Keyframe Capital. During this period, Turntide also acquired Riptide, a company specializing in building automation.
In June 2021, Turntide announced a $225 million investment round that included participation from the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board.