Beyond Aero, a French hydrogen-propelled electric aviation company has, announced a successful Series A funding round, securing an additional USD20 million. Co-led by Giant Ventures and Bpifrance (the French Sovereign Fund) via its Deeptech 2030 fund), this round brings the company’s total capital raised to USD44 million, inclusive of debt and grants. Other investors in this round include Initialized Capital, known for backing 27 unicorns, Airbnb and Dropbox founders Nate Blecharczyk and Arash Ferdowsi and several high-profile athletes.
“Beyond Aero was founded to meet the challenges of climate change and is developing the first hydrogen-powered electric business aircraft,” says the company in a press release. “The company is on a mission to make aviation electric, starting with business aviation. Business aviation is the most emissions-intensive segment per passenger, producing ten times more CO2 per person than commercial flights, and under growing scrutiny.
“Beyond Aero has hit significant technical milestones in recent months, achieving France’s first manned fully hydrogen-electric flight earlier this year and appointing Luiz Oliveira, former advisor on Embraer’s hybrid hydrogen program, as Chief Engineer. Beyond Aero has secured USD914 million in Letters of Intent (LOIs) for 108 aircraft and earned multiple awards, including Brilliant Minds and the Sustainable Aviation Challenge by the World Economic Forum, joining the First Movers Coalition.
“Beyond Aero has already begun deploying USD12 million to build the world’s most powerful integrated Hydrogen Electric Powertrain Lab. This state-of-the-art facility is designed to test all components of the hydrogen-electric propulsion system, from hydrogen tanks to fuel cells and electrical systems. The lab replicates one of the aircraft’s two powerplants and will push the technology to TRL6 at 600+ kW power. It will focus on hydrogen refuelling, air supply, fuel cells, and integrated powertrain testing, marking a crucial milestone in advancing system design and safety verification.
“Beyond Aero’s aircraft, One is designed to carry six to eight passengers for 800 nautical miles and is expected to enter the market by 2030. Beyond Aero is redesigning the architecture of a CS23 aircraft from the ground up, optimizing it for hydrogen-electric propulsion. The aircraft will be powered by fuel cells, producing water as a byproduct and achieving a range five times greater than a battery-powered aircraft. Early adopters include high-net-worth individuals, entrepreneurs, celebrities, and athletes. Corporate clients such as airlines, charter operators, and corporate flight departments have also shown strong interest, signalling the growing demand for hydrogen-powered electric aviation solutions.”
For more information
https://www.beyond-aero.com/press