What GaltTec does

GaltTec OÜ is an Estonian deep-technology startup, founded in 2022 at the University of Tartu, that develops microtubular solid oxide fuel cells (mSOFCs) for unmanned aerial vehicles. Its core product is a 1 kW fuel cell system packaged in a 200x70x70 mm, 1.5 kg module that operates on either hydrogen or ethanol, starts up within 60 seconds, delivers a stated 5x longer flight endurance than lithium batteries, and functions across a -30°C to +50°C temperature envelope (extendable to -40°C in customized configurations). The technology is differentiated by the microtubular ceramic architecture — tubes scaled to roughly 0.1mm in diameter — which the company claims delivers superior power density, durability, and rapid-start capability compared to conventional SOFCs and PEM fuel cells.

The company sells customized fuel cell systems directly to UAV manufacturers and defence end-users through a founder-led, consultative enterprise sales motion. Pricing is custom-quoted per integration, with multi-year contract cadences implied for defence and industrial customers. The primary customer segment is defence and security (surveillance UAVs, tactical drones, border security), with secondary targets in industrial inspection (energy grids, wind farms, telecom towers, pipelines) and logistics/delivery drone operations. The company operates from a single headquarters in Tartu, Estonia, and is supported by the NATO DIANA Accelerator (the first Estonian startup selected), the Estonian Defence Forces, cleantech investor 2°C Ventures, and the City of Tartu business development office. Named engagements include SKYCORP Technologies (commercial UAS OEM integration, purchase order with validation underway) and Singapore's DSTA (defence test purchase signed December 2025), with international expansion demonstrated via a Tokyo live demonstration in May 2025 and an Estonian Defence delegation visit to Singapore in January 2026.

As of the most recent data, GaltTec remains at pre-seed stage with approximately €1 million in funding raised, 1-10 employees, two publicly identified customers (both in validation or test-purchase phases), and products still transitioning from demonstration to volume qualification. The business model is essentially prototype-to-platform-integration sales in the defence UAV power systems category, with future revenue dependent on conversion of current validation contracts into fleet-scale procurement and expansion of the partner ecosystem across Asia and NATO geographies.

Name

GaltTec

Legal name

GaltTec OÜ

Website

https://galttec.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2022

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

GaltTec is an Estonian deep-tech startup developing microtubular solid oxide fuel cell systems for UAVs, offering 1 kW dual-fuel (hydrogen/ethanol) modules with extended endurance and wide temperature tolerance for defence, industrial inspection, and logistics drone manufacturers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

UAV Fuel Cell Power Systems

SIC

Aircraft Engines & Engine Parts (3724)

akta.pro primary industry

UAS Power Systems & Propulsion (Motors, ESCs, Batteries, Fuel Cells) (IMABAIAK)

akta.pro secondary industry

Fuel Cell Distributed Generation (Hydrogen/Natural Gas SOFC/PEM) (EUACALAK)

Keywords

• Solid oxide fuel cells
• Hydrogen fuel cells
• UAV power systems
• Drone energy systems
• Microtubular fuel cells

Headquarters

HQ city

Tartu

HQ country

Estonia

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Fuel Cell System Sales: Sale of complete fuel cell systems to UAV manufacturers and defence organizations. The company sells its microtubular SOFC systems including integration support for customer drone platforms.
2. Custom Integration Solutions: Custom fuel cell solutions tailored for specific UAV platforms, including hydrogen fuel cell systems (e.g., 2x 1kW configurations) for defence and industrial applications.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

GaltTec develops and manufactures microtubular solid oxide fuel cells (mSOFC) for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The flagship 1 kW fuel cell system delivers up to 5x longer flight endurance than lithium batteries, refuels in 60 seconds, and operates on either hydrogen (zero-emission) or ethanol (maximum endurance). The compact 200 x 70 x 70 mm, 1.5 kg system functions across extreme temperatures from -30C to +50C with a 12-48V voltage range, targeting defence, industrial inspection, and logistics UAV applications.

Product overview

GaltTec offers a portfolio centered on its core microtubular solid oxide fuel cell (mSOFC) technology for UAVs. The flagship GaltTec Fuel Cell System provides 1 kW modular power with up to 5x flight endurance, while the 2x 1kW Dual Fuel Cell System delivers up to 2 kW for heavier-duty applications requiring extended range in extreme conditions. Both products share the same microtubular architecture and dual-fuel capability (hydrogen/ethanol) but differ in power output and scale. The portfolio is designed for UAV manufacturers in defence, industrial inspection, and logistics sectors.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• GaltTec Fuel Cell System Microtubular solid oxide fuel cell (mSOFC) system providing 1 kW power output with up to 5x longer flight endurance than lithium batteries, 60-second refueling, dual-fuel flexibility (hydrogen or ethanol), and operation from -30C to +50C. Dimensions 200 x 70 x 70 mm, mass 1.5 kg, start-up time 1 minute, voltage 12-48V. Designed for UAV manufacturers in defence, industrial inspection, and logistics sectors.
• 2x 1kW GaltTec Hydrogen Fuel Cell System Dual hydrogen fuel cell system delivering up to 2 kW of combined power output, designed for demanding UAV missions requiring stable performance in extreme temperatures from -40C to +50C. Used by SKYCORP Technologies for industrial and defence high-endurance hydrogen-powered drone applications with expected 20% flight time increase.

Quantifiable outcome

• 5x longer flight range compared to lithium batteries under standard UAV operating conditions
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• DSTA (Defence Science and Technology Agency, Singapore)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 December 2025DSTA purchased GaltTec's fuel cell system for testing on their drones, seeking high power density and long use time per kilogram. The partnership was initiated at Estonian Defence Week where DSTA representatives visited the GaltTec stand. This represents DSTA's move away from standard batteries toward high-endurance fuel cell solutions for defence applications.
• NATO DIANA AcceleratorcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGaltTec became the first Estonian startup selected for the NATO DIANA Accelerator, a defence innovation program supporting deep-tech solutions for defence and critical infrastructure. This partnership provides validation, networking, and potential defence sector access.
• SKYCORP TechnologiescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSKYCORP Technologies, a leading UAS manufacturer for hydrogen-powered drones, partnered with GaltTec for advanced energy solutions. Integration of 2x 1kW GaltTec hydrogen fuel cell systems into SKYCORP's drones for improved performance in extreme temperatures. Purchase order confirmed with full system validation underway.
• Estonian Defence ForcescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEstonian Defence Forces are a supporter of GaltTec, recognizing its potential to redefine power possibilities for defence applications. Co-founder Laura participated in Estonian Defence delegation visit to Singapore.
• DSO National Laboratories (Singapore)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMet during Estonian Defence delegation visit to Singapore. DSO National Laboratories is a key organisation in the Singaporean defence ecosystem focused on research and development.
• ST Engineering (Singapore)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMet during Estonian Defence delegation visit to Singapore. ST Engineering is a major defence technology company in the Singaporean ecosystem.
• Saab SingaporeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVisited during Estonian Defence delegation trip to Singapore to learn about Saab's regional operations and technology integration capabilities.
• Estonian Embassy in SingaporeminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCoordinated the comprehensive program for the Estonian Defence delegation visit to Singapore, facilitating introductions with key Singaporean defence organisations.
• City of Tartu Department of Business DevelopmentminorGTM or Marketing PartnerProvided support enabling GaltTec's first out-of-lab demonstration in Tokyo, Japan in May 2025.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Plug Power: Major US hydrogen fuel cell company expanding into mobility applications including aerial platforms. While primarily focused on material handling and stationary fuel cells, Plug Power's scale and hydrogen infrastructure investments represent a competitive and partnership threat.
• Ballard Power Systems: Large publicly-listed PEM fuel cell company with broader mobility, stationary, and heavy-duty applications. Has adjacent UAV-adjacent capabilities but focuses primarily on buses, trucks, and stationary power, providing competitive pressure as an incumbent resource base.
• Honeywell Aerospace: Major aerospace and defence prime with fuel cell research capabilities and UAV systems portfolio. Represents both a potential strategic acquirer/partner and an incumbent competitor with deep defence customer relationships that GaltTec must navigate.
• AeroVironment: Leading small UAV manufacturer for defence and commercial markets with established battery-electric product lines. Represents a downstream customer opportunity but also a potential competitive risk if it develops or acquires internal fuel cell capabilities.
• Cummins Accelera: Cummins' zero-emissions business unit including fuel cell powertrain development for defence, rail, and heavy mobility. Broader incumbent with hydrogen fuel cell capabilities that could expand into UAV applications as the market matures.

Emerging players

• ZeroAvia: UK/US hydrogen-electric propulsion startup targeting regional aviation and large UAVs. While focused on larger aircraft, ZeroAvia's fuel cell powertrain technology intersects with GaltTec's microtubular SOFC approach in the broader hydrogen aviation ecosystem.

Direct peers

• Intelligent Energy: UK-based PEM fuel cell manufacturer specialising in hydrogen fuel cell power modules for commercial UAVs and drones. Closest direct competitor to GaltTec in UAV fuel cell integration, serving similar defence and commercial drone customers.
• Doosan Mobility Innovation: Subsidiary of Doosan focused on hydrogen fuel cell systems specifically for commercial drones. Competes head-to-head with GaltTec in the long-endurance hydrogen drone market with established products and customer base.
• HES Energy Systems (H3 Dynamics): Singapore-based developer of hydrogen fuel cell propulsion systems for UAVs with focus on long-endurance commercial and industrial drones. Direct competitor in Asia-Pacific markets and adjacent use cases to GaltTec.
• EnergyOR Technologies: Canadian hydrogen PEM fuel cell developer for UAV applications (now part of Intelligent Energy group). Competes in the same lightweight hydrogen fuel cell segment for commercial and military drones.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/GaltTec
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/galttec
• Instagraminstagram.com/galttec

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors4 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about GaltTec