About us

Founders, what we do, our experience, our team.

Founders

🇺🇸 Silicon Valley meets the 🇮🇹 Motor Valley

In the heart of Italy’s Motor Valley, known for producing some of the most iconic automobiles in history, and within Silicon Valley’s hubs of innovation, Tin and Gianni began building Open Energy. This company merges decades of automotive expertise with cutting-edge technology to reshape the future of mobility.

Roots in Excellence

Tin, CEO of Open Energy, has over 20 years of experience in the automotive and electric vehicle sectors. His automotive career began at Giugiaro, a world-renowned engineering and design firm responsible for vehicles such as Lamborghini, Maserati, and Volkswagen. There, he and his father created MyCar, an all-electric vehicle that was years ahead of its time. The project was ultimately sold to Innovech, an Asian company, marking Tin’s early contribution to sustainable transportation.

Gianni, CTO of Open Energy, brings over 30 years of experience designing and engineering vehicles for automotive leaders like Ferrari, Volkswagen, and BMW. His work includes spearheading electric vehicle programs for Chinese manufacturers, where he helped develop multiple production models. His extensive knowledge of global markets and technical execution makes him a key player in bringing innovative concepts to reality.

Together, Tin and Gianni unite Italian craftsmanship with Silicon Valley’s agility, creating solutions that push mobility into new territories.

Mentorship That Shaped the Vision

The journey of Open Energy was guided by some of the most influential names in technology and automotive design. Sam Altman (OpenAI, ChatGPT), a leading figure in Silicon Valley, mentored Tin during his Y Combinator experience, helping to refine his ability to solve large-scale challenges.

From the automotive world, Giorgetto Giugiaro provided insights born from decades of excellence in vehicle design. His expertise influenced Open Energy’s approach to combining functionality with aesthetics, ensuring that the solutions they deliver are practical and user-friendly.

This unique combination of mentorship has resulted in a company that brings together the best of two worlds: the artistry of Italian engineering and the technological innovation of California.

Innovation Driving Mobility

Open Energy’s flagship product, HyperSwap, revolutionizes how electric vehicles are powered. This system allows batteries to be replaced in under three minutes, offering a practical alternative to traditional charging. Its modular design supports a wide range of battery standards, reducing costs and increasing compatibility across different vehicle platforms.

This solution addresses critical challenges in the EV industry, such as long charging times and the complexity of managing infrastructure, while also helping to stabilize energy grids through efficient charging strategies.

A Vision for People and Goods

Open Energy is focused on transforming mobility for both passengers and goods. By making transportation more reliable and sustainable, the company is serving industries ranging from ridesharing to logistics. Companies like Uber and Amazon are prime examples of how Open Energy’s technology can make an impact, improving efficiency while reducing environmental impact.

Drawing from their extensive background in designing and producing vehicles for top automotive brands, Tin and Gianni apply their experience to every aspect of their work. Their mission is to create solutions that are both scalable and sustainable, meeting the demands of modern transportation.

A Balance of Tradition and Progress

Open Energy represents the union of two worlds: the meticulous craftsmanship of Italy’s Motor Valley and the innovative spirit of Silicon Valley. By blending these approaches, the company has positioned itself as a leader in sustainable mobility, delivering solutions that meet both technical and economic needs.

Building for the Future

The mentors, experiences, and vision behind Open Energy have laid a foundation for significant progress in electric mobility. Every battery swap and every vehicle supported through their system contributes to a larger goal: creating a world where transportation is efficient, affordable, and environmentally friendly.

As the company continues its journey, it invites partnerships and collaborations to further its mission, proving that progress in mobility can benefit everyone.

23 years in automotive & electric vehicles, innovation, software, startups. He’s a YC alumni, an entrepreneur, and a keynote speaker focused on: Innovation, AI, Tech, New Mobility & Energy, and Climate Change. He worked for Italdesign Giugiaro (among the top Engineering & Design companies Worldwide, now owned by Volkswagen, famous for engineering, and designing vehicles such as Lamborghini, Maserati, Lotus, Volkswagen, FCA). He and his father developed a complete Electric Vehicle called MyCar back in 2003, as an internal project in Giugiaro, the entire project was sold to an Asian group called Innovech.

Tin Hang Liu

Founder & CEO, Linkedin

More than 30 years in the automotive industry both in Europe and Asia. He worked for Italdesign Giugiaro since 1999: Lamborghini, Ferrari, Volkswagen, BMW, FCA group, and different Chinese brands, etc.

Involved in the set up of new electric car projects for several Chinese car manufacturers. Among others, Qoros in Shanghai, developing successfully 4 production cars (SUV, Hatch, and Sedan) and Techrules, an automotive R&D company based in Beijing.

Gianni Arena

Co-founder & CTO, Linkedin