AeroDelft
AeroDelft is a TU Delft student team of 50+ members developing liquid hydrogen-powered aircraft under Project Phoenix, including the Prototype Phoenix and a Full-Scale 2-seat Sling 4-based aircraft planned for manned liquid hydrogen flight in 2027, funded through industry sponsorships rather than commercial revenue.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2017
- HeadquartersDelft, Netherlands
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What AeroDelft does
AeroDelft is a TU Delft student team founded in 2017 in Delft, the Netherlands, whose mission is to prove and promote liquid hydrogen as a sustainable alternative to conventional fuels in aviation. The team comprises over 50 multidisciplinary students from TU Delft and operates out of office space on the university campus under a designated management structure (Team Manager, Operations, Technical, and Systems & Safety managers) with specialized chiefs for liquid hydrogen propulsion, gaseous hydrogen propulsion, structures, fire protection, electronics & software, and flight testing.
The team's core technical program is Project Phoenix, which comprises two liquid hydrogen-powered aircraft: the Prototype Phoenix, a smaller 5.7 m wingspan test platform with a 1.5 kW fuel cell used to validate systems, and the Full-Scale Phoenix, a 2-seat Sling 4 kit aircraft with a 10 m wingspan, 920 kg maximum take-off weight, 10 kg liquid hydrogen tank, 125 kW fuel cell power, approximately 2 hours endurance, and 400 km range, which is scheduled for liquid hydrogen flight in 2027 following a gaseous hydrogen flight in 2026. In 2025 the team announced what it describes as the first student-team liquid hydrogen propulsion system test, conducted with TNO at its Ypenburg facility in The Hague.
The organization is structured as a research project, not a commercial venture; it does not generate revenue from product sales and instead operates through a tiered sponsorship and partnership model (platinum, gold, silver, bronze) with named partners including TU Delft, NLR (Netherlands Aerospace Centre), TNO, Airbus, KLM, Conscious Aerospace, ZeroAvia, PowerCell, Fokker, AkzoNobel, Siemens, Cryoworld, ADSE, and Arena Aviation Capital. Go-to-market motion is community- and thought-leadership-driven: producing demonstrations, publications, and participation in industry events to prove the feasibility of liquid hydrogen aviation and inspire the broader sustainable aviation sector rather than selling a product to identifiable customers.
AeroDelft firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- AeroDelft
- Legal name
- AeroDelft
- Website
- https://aerodelft.nl
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2017
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- AeroDelft is a TU Delft student team of 50+ members developing liquid hydrogen-powered aircraft under Project Phoenix, including the Prototype Phoenix and a Full-Scale 2-seat Sling 4-based aircraft planned for manned liquid hydrogen flight in 2027, funded through industry sponsorships rather than commercial revenue.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
AeroDelft industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Sustainable Aviation / Hydrogen-Powered Aircraft R&D
- NAICS
- Aircraft Manufacturing (336411), Aircraft Engine and Engine Parts Manufacturing (336412), Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing (336413)
- SIC
- Aircraft (3721), Aircraft & Parts (3720), Aircraft Engines & Engine Parts (3724), Aircraft Parts & Auxiliary Equipment, Nec (3728)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Fixed-Wing Aircraft Kits & Experimental Aircraft Manufacturing (IMABAAAJ)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) & Alternative Fuels (e-fuels, biofuels, hydrogen) (THABANAA), Liquid Hydrogen (LH2) Storage & Cryogenic Tank Systems (EUAFAEAB)
Keywords
Where AeroDelft is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Delft
- HQ country
- Netherlands
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
AeroDelft business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Research and Development Project: AeroDelft is a student team at TU Delft focused on proving and promoting liquid hydrogen as a sustainable alternative to conventional fuels in aviation. As a research project, the organization does not generate commercial revenue. It operates through student contributions, partnerships, and sponsorships from industry partners who provide knowledge, experience, materials, and financial resources.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels5 records
AeroDelft product offering
Product offeringCore offering
AeroDelft is a TU Delft student team that designs, builds, and tests liquid hydrogen-powered aircraft prototypes as a proof-of-concept for emission-free aviation. Their portfolio includes the Prototype Phoenix (a small-scale technology demonstrator) and the Full-Scale Phoenix (a 2-seater Sling 4 aircraft with a 10m wingspan, 125 kW fuel cell power, 10 kg liquid hydrogen tank, ~2 hours endurance and 400 km range), with the full-scale liquid hydrogen flight planned for 2027. The organization does not sell commercial products; its outputs are research demonstrations, knowledge, and contributions to hydrogen aviation standards developed in partnership with industry.
Product overview
AeroDelft is a student team developing two liquid hydrogen-powered aircraft as proof-of-concept demonstrations for emission-free aviation. The portfolio consists of the Prototype Phoenix (a smaller test aircraft with 5.7m wingspan and 1.5 kW fuel cell power for technology validation) and the Full-Scale Phoenix (a 2-seater 10m wingspan aircraft with 125 kW fuel cell power scheduled for liquid hydrogen flight in 2027). Both aircraft use hydrogen fuel cells with electric propulsion, requiring no combustion and achieving 100% emission-free operation.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Project Phoenix: A project comprising two liquid-hydrogen-powered aircraft: the Prototype Phoenix (for testing) and the Full-Scale Phoenix (a 2-seater manned aircraft planned to fly on liquid hydrogen in 2027).
Products and services
- Full-Scale Phoenix A 2-seater Sling 4 aircraft converted to a 100% emission-free liquid hydrogen fuel cell powertrain, with maximum take-off weight of 920 kg, 10m wingspan, 10 kg liquid hydrogen tank, 125 kW max fuel cell power, ~2 hours endurance, and 400 km range. Developed as a manned proof-of-concept for liquid hydrogen aviation.
- Prototype Phoenix A smaller-scale prototype aircraft used to test and validate liquid hydrogen propulsion technology before integration into the Full-Scale Phoenix. Features a 5.7m wingspan, 1.5 kW fuel cell power, 3+ hours endurance, 300 km range, and 380g hydrogen capacity.
Quantifiable outcome
- First student team in the world to successfully test a liquid hydrogen-powered aircraft propulsion system
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use AeroDelft
Customer profileSegments1 record
Ideal customer profiles2 records
AeroDelft technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
AeroDelft partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
15 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and supporting.
- TU DelftcoreDelft University of Technology, the oldest and largest public technical university in the Netherlands, established in 1842. Provides research support, student talent, facilities, and is the host institution for AeroDelft.
- NLR (Netherlands Aerospace Centre)coreOne of the world's oldest aerospace research institutes founded in 1919. Provides testing and certification services, research support and expertise for aerospace technology development.
- TNOcoreDutch R&D organisation specializing in technology, defence, and sustainability. Collaborated with AeroDelft for liquid hydrogen propulsion testing at their facility in Ypenburg, The Hague.
- Conscious AerospacecoreDutch aerospace company developing hydrogen powertrains for zero-emission regional aircraft. Shares vision for sustainable aviation and hydrogen propulsion development.
- AirbusmajorMajor European aerospace corporation and aircraft manufacturer. Provides industry perspective and potential pathway to commercialization of hydrogen aviation technology.
- KLMmajorRoyal Dutch Airlines, flag carrier of the Netherlands. Interested in sustainable aviation solutions and hydrogen propulsion for future fleet operations.
- Frisian AirmajorLocal Sling distributor in the Netherlands based in Friesland. Supplies AeroDelft with its Sling 4 kit aircraft, which serves as the base platform for the Full-Scale Phoenix.
- ADSEmajorDutch engineering consultancy specializing in aircraft certification, safety assessment, and system engineering for aerospace and defense industries.
- AkzoNobelmajorDutch multinational producing paints, coatings, and specialty chemicals. Provides coatings expertise and materials support for aircraft development.
- CryoworldmajorDutch engineering company designing and building cryogenic installations and equipment. Provides expertise relevant to liquid hydrogen storage and handling systems.
- PowerCell GroupsupportingSwedish company specializing in hydrogen fuel cell systems. Provides technology expertise for hydrogen-electric propulsion systems.
- MaterialisesupportingBelgian 3D printing company providing additive manufacturing solutions. May provide prototyping and manufacturing capabilities.
- SiemenssupportingGlobal technology company providing engineering software and industrial automation solutions. May contribute simulation and engineering tools.
- FokkersupportingDutch aerospace company providing aircraft services and maintenance. Brings aviation industry expertise and legacy aerospace knowledge.
- ZeroAviasupportingCompany developing hydrogen-electric propulsion systems for aviation. Shares knowledge and expertise in hydrogen propulsion technology.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
AeroDelft competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- ZeroAvia: UK/US company developing hydrogen-electric propulsion systems for commercial aviation. Listed as AeroDelft partner; directly comparable on hydrogen propulsion technology and aviation decarbonization mission.
- H2FLY: German company that flew a hydrogen fuel cell passenger aircraft (HY4) and is developing commercial LH2 powertrains. Closely comparable technology stack and platform class to AeroDelft's Phoenix.
- Conscious Aerospace: Dutch startup developing hydrogen powertrains for zero-emission regional aircraft. Listed AeroDelft partner; operates in same Dutch ecosystem and shared mission, making it the most direct Dutch peer.
- Universal Hydrogen: Company developing hydrogen powertrain and modular LH2 capsule logistics for regional aircraft. Directly comparable as hydrogen aviation propulsion and infrastructure developer.
Emerging players
- Heart Aerospace: Swedish developer of ES-30 hybrid-electric regional aircraft. Comparable target market (regional aviation decarbonization) but pursues battery/hybrid path rather than pure hydrogen.
- Eviation Aircraft: Developer of Alice, a battery-electric commuter aircraft. Targets the same zero-emission regional aviation use case as AeroDelft but with battery-electric rather than hydrogen propulsion.
- Wright Electric: US startup developing electric and hydrogen propulsion for commercial regional aircraft. Comparable mission and target segment but pursuing a different aircraft class than AeroDelft's Sling-based platform.
Broad incumbents
- Pipistrel: Slovenian light aircraft manufacturer (now Textron subsidiary) producing electric and hybrid aircraft including the Velis Electro. Comparable light/experimental aircraft platform and electric propulsion focus.
- Airbus (ZEROe): Major OEM developing hydrogen commercial aircraft via ZEROe program. Listed AeroDelft partner; broad incumbent operating in same hydrogen aviation category at much larger scale.
Others
- PowerCell Group: Swedish fuel cell stack manufacturer listed as AeroDelft partner. Provides hydrogen fuel cell technology that AeroDelft integrates; comparable as a hydrogen aviation enabling supplier rather than direct competitor.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
AeroDelft social profiles
Digital presenceAeroDelft financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
AeroDelft leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles10 records
AeroDelft funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
AeroDelft M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about AeroDelft
What does AeroDelft do?
AeroDelft is a TU Delft student team that designs, builds, and tests liquid hydrogen-powered aircraft prototypes as a proof-of-concept for emission-free aviation. Their portfolio includes the Prototype Phoenix (a small-scale technology demonstrator) and the Full-Scale Phoenix (a 2-seater Sling 4 aircraft with a 10m wingspan, 125 kW fuel cell power, 10 kg liquid hydrogen tank, ~2 hours endurance and 400 km range), with the full-scale liquid hydrogen flight planned for 2027. The organization does not sell commercial products; its outputs are research demonstrations, knowledge, and contributions to hydrogen aviation standards developed in partnership with industry.
Is AeroDelft a public or private company?
AeroDelft is a private company. It is classified as unknown and is currently operating.
When was AeroDelft founded?
AeroDelft was founded in 2017. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is AeroDelft based?
AeroDelft is headquartered in Delft, Netherlands, in the Europe region.
How does AeroDelft make money?
One revenue line is on record: research and Development Project.
Who are AeroDelft's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are ZeroAvia, H2FLY, Conscious Aerospace and Universal Hydrogen. Emerging players are Heart Aerospace, Eviation Aircraft and Wright Electric. Broad incumbents are Pipistrel and Airbus (ZEROe). PowerCell Group is listed as an others.
Does AeroDelft have an API?
No public API is recorded for AeroDelft.
What industry is AeroDelft in?
AeroDelft's product category is Sustainable Aviation / Hydrogen-Powered Aircraft R&D. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMABAAAJ, Fixed-Wing Aircraft Kits & Experimental Aircraft Manufacturing, with a secondary code of THABANAA, Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) & Alternative Fuels (e-fuels, biofuels, hydrogen). Its NAICS code is 336411 and its SIC code is 3721.