Toulouse-based Beyond Aero, a French mobility startup developing the first hydrogen-powered electric business aircraft, has secured an additional $20 million in the Series A funding round. Co-led by Giant Ventures and Bpifrance (which recently backed Gamestream and Constellation Technologies & Operations) via its Deeptech 2030 fund, the round saw participation from Initialized Capital, known for backing 27 unicorns, Airbnb and Dropbox founders Nate Blecharczyk and Arash Ferdowsi and several high-profile athletes.
This round brings the company’s total capital raised in this round to $44 million, inclusive of debt and grants. The investment is aimed at revolutionising business aviation with zero emissions.
Aims to electrify aviation
Founded in 2020 by Valentin Chomel, Eloa Guillotin, and Hugo Tarlé, Beyond Aero is on a mission to make aviation electric, starting with business aviation. It is the most emissions-intensive segment per passenger, producing ten times more CO2 per person than commercial flights, and is under growing scrutiny.
The recent advancements by Beyond Aero include achieving France’s first manned fully hydrogen-electric flight and the recruitment of Luiz Oliveira, a former advisor on Embraer’s hybrid hydrogen program, as Chief Engineer. The company has also made significant progress in securing financial backing and strategic interest, with $914 million in Letters of Intent (LOIs) for 108 aircraft, underscoring strong market demand.
With that being said, here are some interesting facts about Anthropic which might be useful for our readers.
Hydrogen electric powertrain lab
Beyond Aero has already begun deploying $12 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.
First hydrogen-powered electric business aircraft
It’s the first electric business aircraft powered by hydrogen propulsion, enabling six passengers to fly up to 800 NM (1,500 km)—five times farther than a battery-powered aircraft.
Beyond Aero’s aircraft, One is designed to carry 6 to 8 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, optimising it for hydrogen-electric propulsion. The aircraft is 100% electric and 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.
First flight test
In February this year, Beyond Aero conducted its first flight test campaign using a sub-scale powertrain, becoming the first in France and the second in Europe to fly a hydrogen-powered aircraft. The purpose of the test was to de-risk and validate various technologies, primarily the architecture of the powertrain, albeit on a smaller scale.
Focus on sustainability
Sustainability is a core principle for Beyond Aero, as the company aims to address the aviation sector’s environmental impact. By developing hydrogen-powered aircraft, they align with global initiatives to reduce carbon emissions and promote eco-friendly travel. This commitment not only enhances their brand image but also positions them as leaders in the sustainable aviation movement.
Strategic partnerships
Beyond Aero has also formed strategic partnerships with over 50 airports worldwide, spearheaded by Aéroports de Paris (ADP), to facilitate the implementation of hydrogen refuelling facilities. By choosing gaseous hydrogen, the company simplifies the process of integrating the infrastructure, making it more feasible for airports to adopt and support hydrogen-powered aircraft.
The company has also collaborated with Formula One and the automobile industry at large to gain insights into hydrogen powertrains used in cars and boats.
“Eloa Guillotin is the most visionary leader in aerospace today. Her bold ambition to reshape aviation with electric, hydrogen-powered aircraft aligns perfectly with our mission to back purpose-driven founders solving the world’s biggest challenges,” said Jon Dishotsky, Partner at Giant Ventures.
“We led Beyond Aero’s seed because we saw in Eloa both the determination and the skills to make hydrogen-powered business planes a reality, and there was no question that we would continue our support in their Series A. In the short time since our initial investment, the team has achieved milestones that would take years for anyone building in this space; this team will transform aviation and have incredible impacts on this industry’s emissions,” said Brett Gibson, Managing Partner at Initialized.
“We have formed a powerful alliance of investors from Europe and the U.S. Giant Ventures offers invaluable guidance, a client network, and a global perspective. Initialized Capital, having supported us since the Seed round, brings founder experience in scaling industry leaders. Bpifrance represents the solid national commitment of the France 2030 plan to clean energy innovation. With prominent public figures who share our vision, we are making aviation electric and achieving our global ambitions,” added Eloa Guillotin, Co-Founder and CEO of Beyond Aero.
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