PowerbyProxi
Acquired1 known investors
New Zealand wireless power company, acquired by Apple in 2017, that built Qi-based high-power wireless charging modules.
Also known as Powerbyproxi · PowerbyProxi Ltd.
Investors · 1
Company profile
researched Aug 2026PowerbyProxi was a wireless power technology company headquartered in Freemans Bay, Auckland, New Zealand. Founded in 2007 as a spin-out of the University of Auckland's wireless power program, it designed and developed wireless power products focused on safety, efficiency and high power density, aiming to deliver energy to devices by proximity rather than through cables and sockets. Its technology was aligned with the Wireless Power Consortium's Qi standard, and founder Fady Mishriki served on the WPC's international board from 2013.
The company's flagship offering was the Proxi-Module platform, a modular wireless power and data transfer system for high-power applications. Using a 65mm power coil operating at 91 percent efficiency, it could deliver 100 watts of power to drones, warehouse robots, medical equipment and other battery-powered machinery, with a waterproof modular chassis enabling flexible docking and circuitry supporting foreign object detection and dynamic pairing. A companion unit, Proxi-Com, converted wired data signals such as CAN bus, Ethernet and GPIO to wireless.
Apple announced its acquisition of PowerbyProxi on 24 October 2017 for an undisclosed sum, confirming the deal publicly through Apple SVP of Hardware Engineering Dan Riccio. Mishriki subsequently became Managing Director of Apple's Auckland Technology Centre.
Founding story
Fady Mishriki, who immigrated to New Zealand in 1998, developed an early fascination with electricity and the idea of eliminating power cables. While studying engineering at the University of Auckland he encountered wireless power researchers including Prof. John Boys and Prof. Patrick Hu, and began researching the field himself. In 2007 he founded PowerbyProxi as a spin-out venture from the University of Auckland's wireless power program, alongside entrepreneur Greg Cross, and was later joined by Kunal Bhargava, whom he had met during his final years of schooling in New Zealand.
Business model
PowerbyProxi developed and sold wireless power hardware modules and licensed its wireless power technology to electronics manufacturers and OEMs, including a licensing arrangement with Samsung Electro-Mechanics.
Revenue came from sales of wireless power modules to industrial and equipment customers and from licensing its technology and intellectual property to component makers and OEMs.
Traction
PowerbyProxi secured John Deere as an early major industrial customer, formed a licensing partnership with Samsung Electro-Mechanics in 2013, built a portfolio of more than 500 patents, and released the 100W Proxi-Module platform in 2016 before being acquired by Apple in 2017.
Latest developments
After the October 2017 acquisition, founder Fady Mishriki took the role of Managing Director at Apple's Auckland Technology Centre, with the team continuing wireless charging work in Auckland.
▸Full profile — market position, technology, go-to-market, geography, history, risks & controversies
Market position
The company was described as a world leader in wireless power and, at one point, the largest wireless power firm globally by revenue, with one of the strongest patent portfolios in the field. It competed in a market that also included firms such as WiTricity, NuCurrent, Powercast, WiBotic and Humavox.
Differentiation rested on high-power (100W) Qi-aligned wireless transfer at 91 percent coil efficiency, a modular and waterproof form factor suited to industrial and medical environments, integrated wireless data transfer, and an extensive wireless power patent portfolio.
Technology
The company built resonant and inductive wireless power transfer systems compliant with the Wireless Power Consortium's Qi standard. Its Proxi-Module platform used a 65mm power coil operating at 91 percent efficiency to transfer up to 100 watts, in a waterproof modular chassis, with foreign object detection and dynamic pairing. The Proxi-Com add-on converted wired data protocols such as CAN bus, Ethernet and GPIO into wireless links. The company invested heavily in patents, amassing over 500.
Go-to-market
PowerbyProxi combined direct sales to large industrial clients — John Deere was cited as an early anchor customer — with licensing to OEMs and partnerships with established electronics component suppliers such as Samsung Electro-Mechanics.
Manufacturers and operators of battery-powered equipment, including sensors, robotics, drones, warehouse robots, medical equipment and industrial machinery, as well as consumer electronics component suppliers and OEMs.
Geography
Headquartered in Auckland, New Zealand, with international customers and partners; following the Apple acquisition, operations continued in Auckland as part of Apple's Auckland Technology Centre.
History
Founded in 2007 in Auckland as a University of Auckland spin-out, PowerbyProxi commercialised resonant wireless power systems, with tractor maker John Deere among its first major industrial customers. In September 2013 it announced a strategic partnership with Samsung Electro-Mechanics, which would license its technology, alongside funding from Samsung's venture capital arm. It expanded from industrial machinery into consumer electronics and medical devices, and launched the Proxi-Module 100W modular wireless power solution in November 2016. Apple acquired the company in October 2017.
Risks & controversies
Reported challenges included recruiting skilled engineers in New Zealand, persuading suppliers to back an unknown deep-tech startup, the capital intensity of R&D and testing in a market ahead of mainstream adoption, and scaling hardware production to industrial reliability standards. Following the Apple acquisition, it was unclear whether the company's commercial product sales would continue.
Compiled by commissioned research from 6 cited public sources — announcements, filings, and press listed under research sources below.
Key figures
latest reportedCompany-reported or press-reported figures, each dated to when it was claimed — not independently audited.
Timeline · 3
launches, deals, and filingsApple announced the purchase of Auckland-based wireless charging company PowerbyProxi, confirming the deal to New Zealand publication Stuff. Apple SVP of Hardware Engineering Dan Riccio said the team 'will be a great addition as Apple works to create a wireless future.' Founder Fady Mishriki said the team would continue to grow in Auckland. The financial terms were not disclosed.
PowerbyProxi introduced the Proxi-Module 100W modular wireless power platform for high-power applications.
PowerbyProxi announced a strategic partnership with Samsung Electro-Mechanics, a producer of integrated components for electronic devices, which would use PowerbyProxi's technology under licence.
Dated company events from announcements, filings, and press; legal rows summarize public dockets and regulator releases.
▸Research sources · 6
primary sources listed
- PowerbyProxi - YouTubeyoutube.com · web
6 public sources were cited for this profile; the first-party ones are listed here.
Frequently asked questions
- What does PowerbyProxi do?
- New Zealand wireless power company, acquired by Apple in 2017, that built Qi-based high-power wireless charging modules.
- Who are PowerbyProxi's investors?
- PowerbyProxi's investors include Movac.