Revatek powers off-grid life 

For anyone who has tried to live, camp, or sail off-grid, power limitations are a familiar frustration. Menomonee Falls-based startup Revatek is solving that problem with a compact, high-tech solution that safely and quickly charges lithium-ion batteries using an engine’s alternator.

Founded by Greg Revelle, Revatek launched in 2024 and is gaining traction with marine and RV users. We caught up with Revelle to learn more about the product, the company’s early success, and what comes next for his growing company.

Q: What problem does Revatek solve?
A: The basic challenge is: how do you live off-grid with the same level of comfort you have at home? Whether you’re on a boat or in an RV far from shore power, electricity becomes a constraint. Most people still want air conditioning, working laptops, and other conveniences. Our product solves that by letting you harness the power of your vehicle’s engine to safely and efficiently charge lithium-ion batteries.

Q: How does the technology work?
A: We developed the Altion Max, a small box that connects to your engine’s alternator on one end and to your battery system on the other. It’s packed with software that manages the charge process to be fast, safe, and battery-friendly.

Q: Who is this designed for?
A: Right now, our focus is on mobile applications—boats, RVs, camper vans. That’s where the need is most acute. We’re already working with marine OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers) and dealers across the U.S., and we’re building a dealer network rapidly.

Q: What inspired the idea?
A: It came from my own experience. I’m a boater, and I was tired of running my engine for hours just to charge batteries. It ruins the serenity. When I looked into existing options, there just wasn’t a great solution—so I built one.

Q: Tell us a bit about your background.
A: I started in investment banking, then moved into marketing. I was CMO at AutoNation, Best Buy, and most recently, Kohl’s, which brought us to Wisconsin. After leaving Kohl’s, I joined a product development company called Capital Brands, which we sold about a year ago. That gave me the runway to focus on Revatek full time.

Q: How long did it take to develop the product?
A: It was about a two-and-a-half-year development cycle. We started with hardware, working with part-time engineers, and eventually went full time about a year ago. These days, most of our innovation is on the software side—there are tens of thousands of lines of code running this little box.

Q: What’s the price point?
A: The base model retails for about $800. We have some upgraded versions as well, but this is a product built to last—we’re aiming for 10+ years of reliable use.

Q: Where is it manufactured?
A: The components are sourced from Asia, which is standard for most electronics, but final assembly is done here in the U.S.

Q: Any challenges with tariffs or global uncertainty?
A: We’ve definitely seen challenges due to changing tariffs, especially with long-term pricing commitments. But we’re focused on what we can control—building a great product and getting it into the hands of users.

Q: How’s it going so far?
A: We launched publicly right before Christmas (2024) and started with pilot customers. We now have about 20 dealers across the U.S. and are seeing strong interest from OEMs. The press, especially in the marine industry, has been very supportive. We’ve also had some international interest and are already distributing in Australia and Saint Martin.

Q: Is there room to grow into global markets?
A: Absolutely. Our product operates on DC power, which is consistent worldwide. That means it’s globally ready from day one. Our focus is U.S. first, but we’re already getting traction overseas.

Q: What’s next for Revatek?
A: Growth will come from expanding our dealer and OEM networks. While we do offer direct-to-consumer sales through our website, most installations require expert help. We’re just getting started, but we’re really excited about the momentum.

To learn more about this growing company, connect with Revatek here.