Oct 12, 2026
From the lecture hall to California: Dresden start-up accepted into U.S. incubator
Felix Kelm, Charlie Weise, Matty Driesnack, and Paul Kunhart (from left to right) – here in front of the Y Combinator office – are continuing to develop their technology in the U.S.
The Dresden-based aerospace start-up RATLOG, founded by four students from TUD Dresden University of Technology, has been accepted into the U.S. incubator Y Combinator. The team is developing reusable, heavy-lift rockets to launch satellites into space more quickly. They are currently working in Silicon Valley to advance their technology. In December, the team will present itself to international investors.
The Dresden-based aerospace start-up RATLOG was founded in 2025 by Charlie Weise and Paul Kunhart (both of whom are studying aerospace engineering at TUD) as well as Felix Kelm (electrical engineering) and Matty Driesnack (business administration). The fledgling company is developing reusable heavy-lift rockets to create additional launch capacity for the rapidly growing space industry. The startup is relying on a novel engine architecture that is designed to use up to 90 percent fewer components than conventional designs, which could enable significantly simpler and more cost-effective production. Throughout the foundation phase, the team received individual support from startup advisors at the TUD|Excellence Center for Innovation, Transfer and Entrepreneurship (TUD|excite), which offers researchers and students interested in starting a business not only personalized advice but also access to targeted funding programs as well as a broad network of partners.
Taking the prototype to the Silicon Valley
Charlie Weise and Paul Kunhart are presenting the startup at the “Product Showcase” at the Y Combinator office in San Francisco.
Within just a few months, the team developed an initial operational prototype and conducted a successful test. In addition, RATLOG has already secured reservation agreements from customers for future launch capacity. The team was supported in their venture by Thomas Kirchner and the YETI Fellowship, a Dresden-based program for aspiring entrepreneurs. In addition, the team participated in the Startup Bootcamp organized by dresden|exists, where it developed a first viable business model for its idea.
In the fall of 2026, RATLOG was accepted into Y Combinator, a U.S. startup incubator in San Francisco that supports young startups with funding, advice, and connections. “Two years ago, I first heard about Y Combinator in Prof. Schefczyk’s lecture on ‘Financing with Venture Capital.’ The fact that we’re now part of it ourselves is really something special,” says Matty Driesnack. The four-person founding team is now working in Silicon Valley to refine their technology, acquire new customers, and prepare for the next round of funding. To wrap things up, the startup will present itself to international investors at a Demo Day in December.
Contact:
Uta Schwarz
Faculty Administrator Quality Management / Communication
Faculty of Business and Economics
+49 351 463-33141