Modal Motors is trying to cut China out of electric motors entirely

Lately, it seems like everyone is talking about bringing manufacturing back to the United States, especially when it comes to hard tech like drones and robotics. Michael Van Steenburg thinks he’s ahead of the game.

Van Steenburg spent the last decade building all kinds of electric motors in the U.S. and North America, and now he wants to do it again with his new startup, Modal Motors. This time, he wants to ditch rare earth magnets entirely, in a bid to further separate the U.S. from China’s supply chain.

As one of founders in Startup Battlefield 200 who will compete at TechCrunch Disrupt next month, he thinks it’s an urgent pitch to make.

“China’s already flexed its muscles a couple times,” Van Steenburg said, referring to the country restricting access to rare earth products .