Modal Motors Aims to Build Electric Motors Without Chinese Rare Earths

Van Steenburg argues that current U.S. reshoring efforts are flawed because they merely replicate Chinese designs while remaining dependent on foreign supply chains. He contends that relying on a domestic rare-earth magnet industry that is still years away from maturity leaves manufacturers vulnerable. His startup, a participant in the upcoming TechCrunch Disrupt Startup Battlefield 200, seeks to eliminate this bottleneck through alternative design architectures.

The company is currently developing two primary products. The first is a compact motor optimized for drones, fans, and actuators, engineered for high torque density. The second, branded as the “Hybrid Enigma Drive,” utilizes a flat, planar design intended for space-constrained applications. Drawing on his background in the automotive industry, Van Steenburg is positioning these technologies as a pragmatic solution for companies desperate to insulate their operations from geopolitical supply chain risks.