YASA has raised $53.0M in total across 4 funding rounds.
YASA's investors include Parkwalk Advisors.
YASA is a UK-based technology company specializing in axial flux electric motors for electrification applications, particularly in high-performance electric vehicles (EVs), hybrids, and marine propulsion. Founded in 2009 as an Oxford University spin-out, it develops compact, lightweight motors up to 4x more powerful, 2-3x power dense, 50% lighter, and with double the torque density of conventional radial flux motors, solving key challenges in efficiency, range, and emissions for transportation sectors like automotive, energy, and materials.[1][2][4] Acquired by Mercedes-Benz in 2021, YASA serves premium OEMs such as Ferrari, Koenigsegg, and Lamborghini, powering vehicles like the Ferrari SF90 Stradale and record-setting crafts; its growth includes scaled production facilities in Oxfordshire and Wales, with recent expansions to over 25,000 units annually by 2025.[2][3]
YASA originated from the PhD research of founder and CTO Dr. Tim Woolmer at Oxford University, where he invented a patented yokeless and segmented armature (YASA) axial flux motor topology. Incorporated in 2009 as a spin-out, the company was built on the vision that small, efficient electric motors would drive global electrification to meet strict emissions targets.[1][2] Early milestones included motors debuting in Koenigsegg Regera hypercars and setting speed records on water (2018) and air (2021), alongside developing proprietary robotic manufacturing for over 150 patents. In 2018, it opened its first serial production facility in Kidlington, UK, securing Ferrari as its inaugural OEM volume customer in 2019 for the SF90 Stradale; Mercedes-Benz's 2021 acquisition integrated YASA into its AMG.EA electric platform, fueling further expansion like the 2025 Yarnton facility upgrade and Lamborghini partnership.[2][3]
YASA stands out through its pioneering axial flux motor technology, which outperforms radial flux designs in EVs:
YASA rides the global electrification wave in transportation, addressing EV pain points like range anxiety, weight, and efficiency amid tightening emissions regulations and policy-driven sustainability goals.[1][2] Its timing aligns with premium automakers' shift to high-performance hybrids/EVs—e.g., Ferrari's 2019 adoption and Mercedes' 2021 buyout—capitalizing on market forces like battery cost declines and demand for compact powertrains in luxury/performance segments.[2][3] By enabling lighter, more efficient motors for cars, marine, and beyond, YASA influences the ecosystem through tech transfer (150+ patents), UK manufacturing hubs, and partnerships that accelerate OEM adoption, reducing reliance on heavier radial motors and supporting net-zero transitions in energy and mobility.[1][3][4]
YASA's Mercedes-Benz integration and 2025 facility upgrades position it for hyper-scaling, with new HQ groundbreaking at Bicester Motion and Lamborghini tie-ups signaling deeper penetration into ultra-luxury EVs and marine electrification.[3] Trends like radial-to-axial flux shifts, marine/hybrid growth, and AI-optimized manufacturing will propel it, potentially expanding to 100,000+ units amid EV market maturation. Its influence may evolve from niche innovator to mainstream enabler, powering broader sustainable mobility—echoing its Oxford roots in redefining efficient propulsion for a electrified world.[2][3]
YASA has raised $53.0M across 4 funding rounds. Most recently, it raised $22.0M Series C in September 2019.
| Date | Round | Lead Investors | Other Investors |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 1, 2019 | $22.0M Series C | Parkwalk Advisors | |
| Jul 1, 2017 | $19.0M Venture Round | Parkwalk Advisors | |
| Jan 1, 2014 | $8.0M Series C | Parkwalk Advisors | |
| Aug 1, 2012 | $4.0M Series B | Parkwalk Advisors |
