Kwetta

Based in Napier, New Zealand, Kwetta is an energy technology firm addressing a critical bottleneck in the global transition to electric vehicles: grid capacity. Founded in 2021 by CEO Dustin Murdock, CTO Dr. Robert Turner, and Chief Growth Officer Mike Lazelle, the company targets the significant challenge of deploying fast, high-powered EV charging infrastructure without necessitating costly and time-consuming grid upgrades. The founders combine deep, complementary expertise, with Murdock's background in hardware engineering, Turner's in power electronics, and Lazelle's in large-scale grid project delivery. Their journey began with a shared interest in electrification during their university years.

Kwetta’s core business revolves around the design and manufacture of its flagship product, the Prime Grid Gateway. This system distinguishes itself by connecting directly to the medium and high-voltage distribution grid, a method that can unlock up to ten times more power than conventional low-voltage connections. This approach bypasses the typical infrastructure bottlenecks, enabling deployment in as little as four to five months, compared to the industry standard of 18 months or more. The system is engineered to not only draw power but also to enhance grid stability by managing voltage, reactive power, and harmonics, positioning it as a "good grid citizen". The hardware is a modular, turnkey solution, comprising the Prime Grid Gateway hub which then distributes power to multiple "SkyHook" charging stations. One gateway can power up to eight charging bays, delivering from 200kW up to megawatt-scale charging suitable for heavy vehicles.

The company's business model appears to be based on the sale of this hardware to its primary client base, which includes fleet operators, bus companies, heavy transport hubs, and public charging park operators. A key early partner and customer has been Z Energy, New Zealand's largest fuel retailer and a subsidiary of Ampol, which has facilitated the rollout of 39 Kwetta charging outlets across the country. Beyond hardware sales, Kwetta is developing a suite of grid services, creating potential new revenue streams for its customers by enabling them to sell services like frequency control and voltage support back to the grid. Having initially raised US$2 million, Kwetta secured a significant A$16 million Series A funding round in early 2025, led by Blackbird Ventures with participation from Virescent Ventures, Icehouse Ventures, and Outset Ventures. This capital is fueling expansion into Australia and Europe, with a focus on the heavy vehicle sector where the need for grid-optimized, high-capacity charging is most acute.

Keywords: EV charging infrastructure, grid management solutions, high-voltage charging, power electronics, fleet electrification, Prime Grid Gateway, megawatt charging, grid-first technology, heavy vehicle charging, EV infrastructure deployment, Dustin Murdock, Robert Turner, Mike Lazelle, Z Energy partnership, Blackbird Ventures, grid stability, ultra-fast EV charging, scalable charging, medium-voltage connection, transport electrification, vehicle-to-grid services