After 14 years of development: Wireless charging startup from Rehovot shuts down
Wi-Charge, a startup specializing in over-the-air power transmission via infrared rays, is ceasing operations after 14 years. Co-founder Ori Mor announced the closure on LinkedIn.
The company Wi-Charge is reaching the end of its journey after 14 years of operation — this was announced today (Sunday) by Ori Mor, co-founder and director of the company, in a farewell post on the LinkedIn network. In the post, Mor summarized the technological journey and thanked the team, partners, and investors who accompanied the company throughout the years.
According to him, the company was established with a vision to break the boundaries of device charging and provide electricity transmitted through the air using infrared rays without the need for cables. This company was considered one of the few in the world that managed to bring room-level wireless energy technology to full commercialization, with sales in dozens of countries around the world.
Alongside the engineering achievements and numerous patents it registered, Mor explained that the company failed to reach the desired point of commercial success due to market challenges. Among the main barriers, the 'chicken and egg' problem stood out in relation to original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), who waited for the deployment of transmitters in the field before integrating receivers into their products. Added to this was the perception of wireless charging as a convenience solution rather than an urgent necessity.
The slow adoption, combined with the inherent challenge in the hardware and consumer products sector, posed significant obstacles in raising capital during expansion stages. Throughout its years of operation, Wi-Charge raised about 23 million dollars from venture capital funds and strategic entities, including early investments, a raise from the European EIC fund in the amount of about 13.4 million dollars, and funding rounds led by the investment arm of Standard Investments.
The company was founded and led by Ori Mor, Ortal Alpert, and Victor Vaisleib, alongside the technical team led by Eli Zlatkin. Mor concluded his message with optimism and expressed confidence that wireless energy transmission technology is inevitable, and that the infrastructure laid by the company will allow future players to complete the task.
