Cosmotaics is an Austria-based climate-tech startup developing a new class of solar infrastructure: systems that prevent panel soiling while harvesting atmospheric water. Our patented technology combines dew collection with passive dust prevention, enabling solar farms to operate more efficiently, sustainably, and with dramatically reduced operational costs. The concept is simple yet transformative: at night, our lightweight, retrofittable cover system harvests dew and prevents dust adhesion; during the day, panels produce energy at their maximum potential. This approach simultaneously addresses two major global challenges: solar efficiency loss due to soiling and water scarcity, particularly in arid regions.
Our motivation for joining the DT Launch Pad programme comes from our stage as a rapidly developing but still young deep-tech company. We are currently transitioning from validated prototypes (Technology Readiness Level 5 (TRL5) toward our first full pilot projects in MENA and Southern Europe (TRL6). The Launch Pad’s focus on innovation leadership, peer learning, and mentorship aligns perfectly with the challenges we face as we prepare for market entry.
We are also personally motivated by the community aspect of the programme. Cosmotaics has benefited enormously from multidisciplinary collaboration; our work spans physics, mechanical engineering, atmospheric water harvesting, and solar energy. Knowledge-sharing with other founders is a huge advantage at this stage, and we are proactively trying to emphasise the importance of sharing.
Our startup story is that of a fast-moving, impact-driven journey focused on the future of solar farms in the deserts. Supported by AWS PreSeed and Seed funding, we designed and built multiple prototype classes, tested dew harvesting in Austria, and deployed two Proof of Concept in Egypt in the field of real solar farms. These long-term tests have already demonstrated strong performance in preventing soiling and collecting dew, validating key assumptions of our technology.
Our goals are clear:
Short term: Pilot testing across several climates to refine our pre-commercial model.
Medium term: Market entry by 2027
Long term: Scaling toward desert greening and Agri-PV applications, where Cosmotaics can enable water-positive energy systems and regenerative land use.