GACW Incorporated

About the offering

Global Air Cylinder Wheels (GACW) has developed the Air Suspension Wheel (ASW), a patent-protected, non-pneumatic mechanical alternative to traditional rubber tires designed to last the lifetime of a vehicle. The technology was recognized as one of TIME's Best Inventions of 2023. The Problem Mining companies face three critical pain points with traditional pneumatic tires. They are extremely expensive—a single large mining truck can incur $7M+ in tire replacement costs over its lifetime, with OTR tires lasting only 6-9 months under heavy use. A 150-vehicle mining fleet spends approximately $750M on tire purchases and maintenance over the fleet's lifetime. They are dangerous—tire fitters face some of the highest fatality risks on mine sites due to blowouts, overheating, and explosive failures. Production shutdowns from tire failures cost hundreds of thousands of dollars per hour. They are environmentally harmful—up to 28% of ocean microplastics originate from tire particles, and mining companies must dispose of massive tire waste at significant cost. The Solution The ASW is a non-pneumatic mechanical steel wheel using nitrogen gas spring assemblies between inner and outer rims to provide independent suspension and damping. Key benefits include an estimated 58% cost savings over the vehicle lifecycle by eliminating blowouts, overheating, and frequent replacements. The wheel eliminates explosion risk on site, supports higher payloads, reduces tilting risk, and requires minimal maintenance. It is 100% recyclable with biodegradable tread options—built primarily from steel, one of the most widely recycled materials globally. Technology Protection The technology is protected by 75+ issued patents globally and 120+ patents pending, covering specific components including nitrogen gas spring assemblies (Patent 11,554,606), hinged outer rim segments (Patent 12,344,033), specialized tread systems (Patent 11,440,358), flexible inboard seals (Patent 11,279,170), hub and rim integration (Patent 11,760,131), and non-pneumatic wheel architecture (Patent 12,128,705). The company also has a decade of field testing data across multiple vehicle types and real mining conditions. Business Model GACW operates a recurring revenue model with three streams. Initial Sale involves upfront purchase of ASW units and rims. Recurring Consumables generate the majority of revenue—while the structural wheel stays on the truck for its entire life, treads require periodic replacement. Based on projections, approximately 81% of forecasted revenue comes from recurring consumable parts. Annual Licensing includes ongoing service and software fees for performance monitoring and maintenance. The company is also developing a Wheels as a Service (WaaS) model where GACW retains ownership and supplies wheels to mining customers at their existing OPEX levels, building a substantial in-field asset base generating recurring revenue. Unit Economics (Projected) Per vehicle lifetime (e.g., CAT 793): $1,601,500 net revenue, $604,116 gross margin. For a 150-vehicle fleet: $240M lifetime revenue, $90M lifetime gross margin. Traction The company has generated $4M in proceeds to date (for construction and delivery of prototypes), manufactured and field-tested 56 wheels in actual mining operations since 2015, signed four contracts, and received approximately $6M in purchase orders it intends to finalize upon launch. In December 2025, GACW completed final pre-operational testing on a CAT 793F haul truck at an iron ore mine in Minnesota's Mesabi Iron Range, testing tread durability, lubrication/bearing selection, modified bolting system, and traction in temperatures as low as -30°C. Results were successful across all test areas. Market Opportunity The company initially targets the approximately $5B global mining tire market. The broader SAM (off-the-road tire market) is $31B, and the TAM (global tires and wheels) is approximately $262B. ASW can be manufactured locally, making it tariff-resistant. Team CEO Harmen van Kamp brings 25+ years in sales across multiple industries with extensive experience in heavy complex sales cycles across 7 countries. President and Chief Innovation Officer Dr. Zoltan Kemeny brings 44+ years in R&D and engineering with many patents; his vision for GACW was sparked when he witnessed a tire dump fire revealing environmental hazards. COO Darryl Crowder brings 30+ years in senior management in heavy engineering, maintenance, manufacturing, and mining services. Path to Commercialization With December 2025 testing complete, GACW has data required to finalize operational-ready ASW for anticipated release in early 2026. Global Tier I mining companies have expressed readiness to advance once commercially available. The company recently opened a Test/Trial/Training office near Brisbane (January 2026). Current Fundraise GACW is raising up to $1.42M via Regulation Crowdfunding on StartEngine at $3.75 per share (Common Stock), implying a $92.84M valuation. The minimum investment is $498.75, and the deadline is April 10, 2026. The campaign has raised $161,549 from 57 investors and holds a "Most Momentum" badge. Previously crowdfunded: $9.49M+. The company has raised $11M+ total through prior Reg CF rounds and private investors. Use of Funds Capital raise is aimed at taking GACW to cash positivity through fulfilling commitments to deliver commercial wheels to customers in Australia and the U.S., continued R&D and targeted component improvements, hiring across engineering, quality control, field service, and operations, establishing a dedicated workshop for component testing, and ongoing IP portfolio development and protection. Investor Perks A 10% loyalty bonus applies to existing followers, prior investors, or mailing list subscribers. Early bird bonuses (within first 2 weeks) range from 8% ($1,000+) to 20% ($50,000+). Volume-based perks range from 3% ($1,000+) to 15% ($50,000+), with higher tiers including 3D prints of the wheel and founder dinners. StartEngine Venture Club members receive an additional 10% bonus.

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