MINESTO AB

Their core work

Minesto develops underwater kite technology (branded "Deep Green") that generates electricity from tidal streams and ocean currents. Unlike conventional tidal turbines that require strong currents, their subsea kite moves through the water in a figure-eight pattern, amplifying the energy capture from low-velocity flows. The company focuses on bringing this marine energy technology to market, with particular attention to island communities and remote coastal areas where diesel dependency is high. Based in Gothenburg, Sweden, Minesto is publicly listed and has moved from R&D into commercial deployment during the H2020 period.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

Minesto's H2020 trajectory shows a clear shift from collaborative R&D to independent commercialization. In 2016-2018, they participated in PowerKite as a consortium partner, contributing to fundamental power take-off system development alongside other organizations. From 2018 onward, they took the lead as coordinator on their own Deep Green Island Mode concept, progressing through the SME Instrument phases from feasibility study (EUR 50K) to full commercialization support (EUR 2.5M). This is a textbook scale-up arc: from technology contributor to market-ready product owner.

Minesto is moving from technology development into commercial deployment of island-scale tidal energy systems, making them relevant for partners interested in real-world marine energy installations rather than early-stage research.

How they like to work

Minesto operates as both a consortium participant and a project leader, but their trajectory clearly favors leading their own projects. Two of three H2020 projects were self-coordinated through the SME Instrument, which is a solo-company funding scheme — meaning they worked independently on commercialization rather than in large consortia. When they do join consortia (as in PowerKite), they bring specific hardware expertise. Expect a focused, product-driven partner rather than a broad research collaborator.

Minesto has worked with 9 unique partners across 3 countries, primarily through the PowerKite consortium. Their SME Instrument projects were solo efforts, so their collaborative network is relatively compact and likely concentrated in the marine energy sector.

What sets them apart

Minesto occupies a genuinely rare niche: they are one of very few companies worldwide developing underwater kite technology for tidal energy, which works in low-velocity currents where conventional tidal turbines cannot operate. This means they unlock energy resources that competitors simply cannot access. For consortium builders, they bring a proprietary hardware technology with a clear path to deployment — not a research concept, but a product moving toward market with significant EU investment behind it.

Highlights from their portfolio

• DGIM2
  Largest project at EUR 2.5M through SME Instrument Phase 2, representing the EU's bet on Minesto's commercial readiness for island-scale tidal power.
• PowerKite
  Collaborative R&D project focused on the critical power take-off subsystem, demonstrating Minesto's ability to contribute specialized hardware expertise within a multi-partner consortium.