What Silver Atena does

Silver Atena GmbH is a Munich-based engineering company that develops and produces safety-critical electronic control units (ECUs) and power electronics for the Automotive, Aerospace and Defence industries. Founded in 1998 (originally as Atena), the firm has built a 25-year track record of self-developed, certified products including EASA-certified FADEC engine controllers, ISO 26262 / ASIL-class high-voltage DC/DC converters (exceeding 98% efficiency for fuel cell applications), high-voltage traction inverters for 400V/800V drivetrains, battery management systems, hydrogen tank control units, electric propulsion drives for eVTOL/UAV applications, and ruggedized defence displays and control units. Core competencies span SiC and GaN semiconductor technologies, DO-254/DO-178C-compliant hardware-software development, functional safety integration, and qualification under MIL-STD. The product portfolio also extends to the iONiX sub-brand DC charging station (25–50 kW), co-developed with Bender GmbH.

Silver Atena operates as a 100% subsidiary of the French Expleo Group while retaining its own legal entity and brand identity. It runs six German locations — Munich (headquarters), Augsburg, Bremen, Hamburg, Landshut and Stuttgart for development, plus Dachau and Karlsfeld for production — employing 505 staff from 32 nations as of the 2024 sustainability report. Revenue is generated primarily through enterprise project sales of customized development services and series hardware to major OEMs and Tier-1 suppliers (e.g., BMW, BENTELER, RAPA, Liebherr Aerospace). GTM combines direct enterprise field sales with technical consultation, long-term development partnerships, and industry trade-show presence (IAA Mobility, Paris Air Show, Aero Friedrichshafen, Digital X, HYMOTEC). The business model blends professional engineering services with hardware sales (custom ECUs, power electronics, integrated systems) delivered either through in-house production or qualified manufacturing partners, with pricing project-specific and not publicly disclosed.

Name

Silver Atena

Legal name

Silver Atena GmbH

Website

https://silver-atena.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1998

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Silver Atena GmbH develops and manufactures safety-critical electronic control units and power electronics (FADEC, DC/DC converters, traction inverters, BMS, eVTOL propulsion) for Automotive, Aerospace and Defence OEMs and Tier-1 suppliers, operating as a wholly-owned Expleo Group subsidiary with 505 staff across seven German sites.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Safety-Critical Electronic Control Systems

NAICS

Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing (33451), Relay and Industrial Control Manufacturing (335314), Electrical Equipment Manufacturing (33531)

SIC

Electronic & Other Electrical Equipment (No Computer Equip) (3600), Measuring & Controlling Devices, Nec (3829), Electrical Industrial Apparatus (3620)

akta.pro primary industry

Automotive ECUs/Control Modules & Embedded Electronics Manufacturing (IMACAJAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Automotive Electric Motors & Actuators Manufacturing (EPS/Brake-by-wire/Seat/Window) (IMACAJAL), Industrial Safety & Security Electronics Manufacturing (Safety relays, E-stops, light curtains, access control) (IMAGAGAG)

Keywords

• Safety-critical electronics
• Power electronics systems
• Electronic control units
• Embedded systems engineering
• Defence and aerospace electronics

Headquarters

HQ city

Munich

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices8 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Custom Electronic Control Unit Development: Silver Atena develops and delivers custom electronic control units and embedded systems from concept through architecture, development, testing, validation, to delivery. Services include prototype and series component production through own locations or qualified manufacturing partners.
2. Power Electronics Systems: Revenue from power electronics products including DC/DC converters, DC/AC inverters, battery management systems, and electric drive systems for Automotive, Aerospace, and Defence applications.
3. Series Production and Manufacturing: Production and delivery of prototypes, pre-series, assemblies, integrated systems, and series products through own production facilities or qualified manufacturing partners.
4. Development Services: Engineering services including concept development, system architecture, hardware and software development, Functional Safety Integration, verification, validation, and qualification.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels11 records

Core offering

Silver Atena develops and manufactures custom electronic control units (ECUs), embedded systems, and power electronics for safety-critical applications in the Automotive, Aerospace, and Defence sectors. The company covers the full lifecycle from concept, system architecture, hardware/software development, validation, and certification through to series production. Its portfolio includes engine controllers, flight control computers, battery management systems, DC/DC converters, traction inverters, and fuel cell control units delivered to OEMs and Tier-1 suppliers.

Product overview

Silver Atena develops and delivers electronics and electronic systems for safety-critical applications in Aerospace, Automotive, and Defence. The product portfolio includes custom control units (Steuergeräte), embedded systems, and power electronics (Leistungselektronik). In Automotive & E-Mobility: active suspension systems, high-voltage DC/DC converters, DC Boost Chargers, battery management systems, electric auxiliary drives (ePTO), high-voltage traction inverters, and electric turbochargers. In Aerospace: FADEC engine controllers, H2 tank controllers, Flight Control Computers, flap actuation controls, Electric FAN, electric propeller drives, and FAN drive inverters. In Defence: rugged display and control devices, central control units, and mobile control units. The company also offers the iONiX branded DC charging station (25-50 kW) for electric vehicles. All products are developed according to V-Model and industry standards (ISO 26262, ASPICE, DO-178C, DO-254, MIL-STD).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• iONiX: Brand name for Silver Atena's DC charging station products, including eichrechtskonforme DC-Ladestation with 25 kW to 50 kW power output.

Products and services

• Active Suspension System

Quantifiable outcome

• 98%+ efficiency for fuel cell DC/DC converters
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature9 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Catena-XcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2026Data ecosystem partnership for automotive supply chain. Silver Atena actively contributes SME experience to Catena-X, working on practical solutions for sustainability and compliance requirements standardization in the Mittelstand (SME) sector.
• BeBoP Consortium (Horizon Europe Project)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 February 2025Horizon Europe project (Beyond state-of-the-art Efficiency by improving Balance of Plant components) developing better and more cost-effective components for fuel cell systems including air compressors, membrane humidifiers, and DC/DC converters. Silver Atena develops innovative DC/DC converter solutions. Project budget: €3,983,049 over 42 months.
• Bender GmbHcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2021Joint development partnership for iONiX DC charging station - an award-winning e-mobility charging solution with 25-50 kW power. The collaboration combines Silver Atena's power electronics expertise with Bender's charging infrastructure capabilities.
• jetlite GmbHminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2019Co-development of jetlite controller for automated cabin lighting control based on Human Centric Lighting principles. Silver Atena develops the control unit that operates through existing cabin management systems, calculating optimal lighting scenarios based on flight parameters to reduce jet lag.
• Expleo GroupcoreOthersParent company of Silver Atena. French global engineering, technology, and consulting services firm with 15,000+ employees in 25+ countries. Silver Atena operates as an independent legal entity and brand within the Expleo Group following the 2012 acquisition.
• SINTEFcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNorwegian research institute coordinating the BeBoP Hydrogen project. Leading research institution in energy, petroleum, and renewable technology.
• DLR (Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGerman Aerospace Center participating in BeBoP project. Provides modeling expertise to support fuel cell system development and determine optimal operating strategies.
• Garrett MotioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAutomotive technology company and consortium partner in BeBoP project, contributing air compressor expertise for fuel cell systems.
• FreudenbergcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFreudenberg Group companies (Freudenberg Filtration Technologies and Freudenberg Technology Innovation) participating in BeBoP project, contributing membrane humidifier expertise.
• FPT IndustrialcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerItalian powertrain manufacturer providing 200 kW fuel cell system for integration testing of BeBoP components. Part of CNH Industrial group.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves14 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Bosch: Bosch is the dominant Tier-1 supplier of automotive ECUs, power electronics, and traction inverters for electrified vehicles globally. Both companies compete for OEM ECU programs targeting ISO 26262-compliant control units, BMS, and DC/DC converters, though Bosch operates at vastly greater scale across a broader automotive portfolio.
• Continental: Continental's Automotive Group supplies ECUs, power electronics, and chassis control systems (incl. active suspension controllers) to German OEMs. As a direct competitor for similar ECU/programs at BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and VW, Continental is among the closest direct peers to Silver Atena's automotive business.
• Woodward (now part of Woodward L3Harris): Woodward is a leader in aerospace FADEC and engine control systems. Both companies self-developed FADECs and obtained EASA certification — an exclusive club. They compete for engine control programs on piston and turboprop aircraft.
• Safran Electronics & Defense: Safran's aerospace division designs and certifies flight control computers, engine controls (FADEC), and avionics. It is a primary competitor to Silver Atena for safety-critical aerospace ECUs and FCCs serving European aircraft programs.
• Hoerbiger: Hoerbiger is an Austrian/German aerospace and industrial actuation specialist providing electric actuation systems and control units. It competes with Silver Atena's flap actuation and electric propulsion control products for the same European aerospace customers.

Broad incumbents

• ZF Friedrichshafen: ZF offers drivetrain, chassis, and active suspension electronics, including the active chassis systems used by Mercedes-Benz where Silver Atena also supplies ECUs (via RAPA). ZF operates broadly as a Tier-1 incumbent while Silver Atena plays a more specialized Tier-2 role on similar technology.
• Honeywell Aerospace: Honeywell is a broad incumbent in aerospace electronics, with major FADEC, flight management, and avionics portfolios. It competes with Silver Atena in aerospace ECUs but at greater scale across commercial and business aviation programs.
• Aptiv: Aptiv provides automotive ECU, power electronics, and architecture solutions globally with a strong software-defined vehicle focus. It competes with Silver Atena for OEM ECU programs at the architecture and zonal controller level.

Regional players

• Diehl Defence: Diehl Defence is a German Tier-1 supplier of defence electronics and systems. Both companies develop ruggedized control units and HMIs for German/European defence platforms, with comparable MIL-spec compliance requirements in the German Mittelstand ecosystem.

Emerging players

• AVL List: AVL provides automotive powertrain and electrification development services including high-voltage systems and DC/DC converters. It overlaps with Silver Atena's development services in e-mobility and fuel cell components, particularly in the BeBoP ecosystem.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookde-de.facebook.com/SilverAtena
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/silveratena

Compliance9 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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 Silver Atena