Climate CEOs: Scaling Startups

Rare-Earth-Free Electric Motors: $200B Markets Without Supply-Chain Risk | Ankit Somani, CEO of Conifer

Feb 2, 2026
Guest
Ankit Somani
Ankit Somani, CEO and co-founder of Conifer — a repeat entrepreneur who built AI products at AllyO and Google. He discusses Conifer’s rare-earth-free electric motors and modular powertrains. Topics: the strategic risk of rare-earth supply chains, why investors backed a $20M seed, performance and cost advantages over induction motors, market prioritization (two-wheelers first), and scaling hardware manufacturing.
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ADVICE

Choose High-Volume, Commonized Markets

  • Pick markets where you can reach high volumes fast and reduce capex inefficiency.
  • Prioritize part commonization so different products share manufacturing and cut unit costs quickly.
INSIGHT

In-Wheel Powertrain Advantages

  • Conifer's in-wheel powertrain replaces hub motors with a motor+gearbox that is lighter and more efficient.
  • That yields ~15% range improvements for two-wheelers while eliminating rare-earths.
INSIGHT

Compact, Efficient Replacement For Induction Motors

  • Against induction motors, Conifer offers half the weight and size with 40% lower losses as a drop-in replacement.
  • That translates to roughly 30% lower total system cost over five years.
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