Conscious Aerospace
Conscious Aerospace is a Dutch hydrogen-electric propulsion startup developing the CA2100, a 2.1 MW fuel cell powertrain for retrofitting Dash 8-300 regional aircraft. It serves commercial airlines and special mission operators via an EASA-led certification pathway, targeting commercial service entry by 2030.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2022
- HeadquartersRotterdam, Netherlands
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Conscious Aerospace does
Conscious Aerospace B.V. is a Dutch hydrogen-electric propulsion startup founded in 2022 and headquartered at Rotterdam Airport (Baan 19, 3045 AN Rotterdam). The company is developing the CA2100, a 2.1 MW hydrogen fuel cell powertrain designed for retrofit into De Havilland Canada Dash 8-300 regional aircraft targeting up to 750 km range and 30-36 passenger capacity. The CA2100 integrates five subsystems: an Electric Propulsion Unit (EPU) with high-voltage motors and reduction gearbox matched to the original PW123 turboprop output, an Electrical Power Management System, a Fuel Cell System using Low Temperature Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells (LTPEMFCs) with Balance of Plant, a bespoke Thermal Management System using a glycol loop with external radiators, and a cryogenic liquid hydrogen storage and distribution system installed in the aft fuselage. Certification is being pursued through EASA under an independent Engine Type Certificate plus a CS-25 Supplemental Type Certificate for the Dash 8-300 modification, supported by an EASA Innovation Partnership Contract that positions the company to co-define hydrogen propulsion certification standards.
The commercial model is built on three revenue streams: hardware sales of the CA2100 propulsion system to regional airlines and operators, licensing of the Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) for Dash 8-300 modification under CS-25, and forward-fit engine sales on new airframes post-retrofit success. Go-to-market is direct enterprise sales targeting regional commercial airlines and special mission operators (defense, coast guard, border patrol, surveillance, humanitarian), with named partner/operator relationships through a trilateral Memorandum of Understanding with KLM Royal Dutch Airlines and Transavia. The company leads the HAPSS consortium of 10 aerospace, energy, and academic partners under a €73.3M Dutch National Growth Fund grant (part of the €383M 'Luchtvaart in Transitie' program). The roadmap targets a ground test rig operational by end of 2028 at the new NLR facility in Marknesse, flight testing in 2029, and commercial service entry in 2030. Pricing is not publicly disclosed, the company is pre-revenue, and revenue mechanics remain contingent on certification milestones.
Conscious Aerospace's leadership includes CEO Erik Geertsema (31 years at Fokker, GKN Aerospace, and Panta Holdings), CTO Rudolf Coertze (20+ years at ZeroAvia, Daimler, and Ballard Power Systems with hydrogen-electric propulsion firsts), CFO Ernout van Koten (25+ years at Shell), and founder Michel van Ierland, supported by advisors including former KLM CEO Peter Hartman, former GKN Aerospace CEO Hans Büthker, and former Credit Suisse Benelux CEO Thijs Jochems. The company employs 11-50 staff, operates as a private B.V., and has assembled advisory depth and consortium reach unusual for a company of its size, offsetting pre-revenue risk with a clear regulatory pathway, public capital, and anchored operator partnerships.
Conscious Aerospace firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Conscious Aerospace
- Legal name
- Conscious Aerospace B.V.
- Website
- https://consciousaerospace.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2022
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Conscious Aerospace is a Dutch hydrogen-electric propulsion startup developing the CA2100, a 2.1 MW fuel cell powertrain for retrofitting Dash 8-300 regional aircraft. It serves commercial airlines and special mission operators via an EASA-led certification pathway, targeting commercial service entry by 2030.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Conscious Aerospace industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Aerospace Propulsion Systems
- NAICS
- Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing (336413), Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing (33641)
- SIC
- Aircraft Engines & Engine Parts (3724), Aircraft Parts & Auxiliary Equipment, Nec (3728)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Electric & Hybrid-Electric Propulsion (eVTOL/Regional) (IMABADAH)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Aerospace Fuel System Components (Tanks, Lines, Valves) (IMABANAJ), Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) & Alternative Fuels (e-fuels, biofuels, hydrogen) (THABANAA)
Keywords
Where Conscious Aerospace is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Rotterdam
- HQ country
- Netherlands
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Conscious Aerospace business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Hydrogen Fuel Cell Powertrain Sales (CA2100): Sale of the CA2100 hydrogen-electric propulsion system to aircraft operators. The system is certified under an independent Engine Type Certificate and sold as a complete propulsion unit covering the entire energy chain.
- Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) for Aircraft Modification: Revenue from certifying aircraft modifications under Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) for Dash 8-300 integration. Existing engines and equipment removed, CA2100 installed under STC process under CS-25 regulations.
- Future Forward-Fit Engine Sales: Post-retrofit success, engine technology will be offered for forward fitting on new airframes optimized for hydrogen-electric propulsion systems, enabling scaling to other aircraft types.
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels5 records
Conscious Aerospace product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Conscious Aerospace develops and manufactures hydrogen-electric propulsion systems for regional aviation, with its flagship CA2100 being a 2.1 MW hydrogen fuel cell powertrain designed to retrofit the De Havilland Canada Dash 8-300 regional aircraft. The company provides the full propulsion hardware (fuel cell system, electric propulsion unit, thermal management, electrical power management, and hydrogen storage) and pursues EASA Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) approval to certify the modified aircraft.
Product overview
Conscious Aerospace is a Dutch hydrogen propulsion start-up developing the CA2100 hydrogen-electric propulsion system — a 2.1 MW fuel cell powertrain designed for retrofit into existing De Havilland Canada Dash 8-300 regional aircraft. The CA2100 comprises five integrated subsystems: the Electric Propulsion Unit (EPU), Electrical Power Management System, Fuel Cell System (LTPEMFCs), Thermal Management System, and Hydrogen Storage and Distribution. The company also provides aircraft modification services under EASA Supplemental Type Certificate. The core CA2100 product is augmented by the HAPSS consortium program, which coordinates development across partner organizations including Aeronamic, Elysian, EH Group, Magna Steyr, Senior Aerospace, Sii, AeroDelft, NLR, and TU Delft. The company targets CS25-certified aircraft (19+ seater category) with a vision to become a Tier 1 engine OEM, designing, building, and certifying hydrogen fuel cell powertrains for regional aviation.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- CA2100 Hydrogen-Electric Propulsion System Integrated hydrogen-electric powertrain delivering 2.1 MW of propulsion power, composed of a fuel cell system, electric propulsion unit, electrical power management system, thermal management system, and hydrogen storage and distribution system. Intended for regional aircraft operators seeking zero-emission propulsion retrofit solutions.
- Dash 8-300 Hydrogen Retrofit Modification Service STC-backed aircraft modification service that replaces the conventional turboprop engines of the Dash 8-300 with the CA2100 hydrogen-electric powertrain, enabling near-zero-emission regional flight. Targeted at commercial airlines, special-mission operators, and government/defense customers.
Quantifiable outcome
- Range of up to 750 km covering ~90% of Dash 8-300 routes
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Conscious Aerospace
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Conscious Aerospace technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature6 records
Conscious Aerospace partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
13 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.
- KLM Royal Dutch AirlinescoreTrilateral Memorandum of Understanding signed June 16, 2025 for hydrogen fuel cell powered aviation. Collaboration focused on foreseen operation of CA powertrain equipped Dash 8 aircraft. Exchange of insights on seat and cargo design choices, route network optimization, and maintenance cost estimates. KLM providing valuable operator insights for CA propulsion system development.
- TransaviacoreTrilateral MoU with Conscious Aerospace and KLM for hydrogen fuel cell powered aviation. Transavia sharing operational knowledge and experience to explore new aircraft engine technologies. Supporting Conscious Aerospace's programme to shape future of sustainable aviation.
- Aeronamic B.V.majorHAPSS consortium partner. Part of €73.3M Dutch government funding program for hydrogen fuel cell propulsion system development. Contributing to hydrogen aircraft powertrain and storage systems development.
- EH Group Engineering SAmajorHAPSS consortium partner specializing in fuel cell technology. Contributing expertise to hydrogen fuel cell powertrain development under €73.3M Dutch government funding.
- ElysianmajorHAPSS consortium partner (Coöperatief Elysian Aircraft Company U.A.). Contributing to hydrogen aircraft propulsion systems and storage development.
- Magna Steyr Fahrzeugtechnik GmbH & Co KGmajorHAPSS consortium partner. Contributing automotive and aerospace engineering expertise to hydrogen propulsion system development.
- Senior UK LimitedmajorHAPSS consortium partner. Aerospace specialist contributing to hydrogen aircraft powertrain and storage systems development.
- SII Netherlands B.V.majorHAPSS consortium partner providing engineering and technical services for hydrogen aircraft powertrain development.
- Stichting AeroDelftmajorHAPSS consortium partner. Foundation contributing to hydrogen-electric aviation development and propulsion systems.
- NLR (Royal Netherlands Aerospace Centre)majorHAPSS consortium partner providing aerospace research expertise. Ground tests planned at new NLR facility in Marknesse for CA2100 powertrain testing.
- TU Delft (Technische Universiteit Delft)majorHAPSS consortium partner. Leading technical university contributing research and development expertise to hydrogen propulsion systems.
- EASA (European Union Aviation Safety Agency)coreInnovation Partnership Contract (IPC) with EASA for certification and safety standards for hydrogen propulsion in commercial aviation. Conscious Aerospace contributes directly to defining certification pathways. EASA pursuing supplemental type certificate needed for CA2100 integration into Dash 8-300.
- De Havilland of CanadaminorAircraft manufacturer of Dash 8-300 aircraft being retrofitted with CA2100 hydrogen fuel cell powertrain. Partnership enables Supplemental Type Certificate process for aircraft modification.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Conscious Aerospace competitors and assessment
Company assessmentOthers
- De Havilland Canada: OEM of the Dash 8-300 platform being retrofitted by Conscious Aerospace. Strategic dependency: STC execution and any future clean-sheet Dash 8 hydrogen variant directly depend on De Havilland Canada's cooperation.
Emerging players
- H3 Dynamics: Singapore-based company developing hydrogen fuel cell propulsion for aviation including unmanned and small passenger applications; comparable technology stack targeting regional/small aviation decarbonization.
- Eviation Aircraft: Developer of the Alice all-electric commuter aircraft targeting regional airline operators. Adjacent in regional aviation decarbonization but uses batteries instead of hydrogen fuel cells.
- Wright Electric: US-based developer of electric and hydrogen-electric propulsion systems targeting single-aisle and regional aircraft. Overlaps with Conscious Aerospace on hydrogen-electric propulsion development for commercial aviation.
- Heart Aerospace: Swedish developer of the ES-30 hybrid-electric regional aircraft (30-seat class) targeting similar regional airline customers. Competes for the same decarbonization budget though uses battery-hybrid rather than hydrogen fuel cells.
Direct peers
- ZeroAvia: Direct competitor developing hydrogen-electric powertrains for regional aircraft (e.g., Dornier 228, Dash 8), pursuing EASA and FAA certification. CTO Rudolf Coertze previously led ZeroAvia's hydrogen-electric program, underscoring the direct technology overlap.
- magniX: Electric propulsion (motor and power electronics) supplier for aviation, partnering with both retrofit programs and clean-sheet aircraft. CA2100's Electric Propulsion Unit competes directly in the same supplier layer for regional electric/hydrogen platforms.
- Universal Hydrogen: Hydrogen propulsion company retrofitting regional turboprops (including Dash 8) with fuel cell powertrains and modular hydrogen capsule logistics — same retrofit-onto-Dash-8 architecture and regional aviation target customer base as Conscious Aerospace.
Broad incumbents
- Airbus (ZEROe hydrogen program): Airbus's ZEROe program targets a hydrogen-fuel-cell commercial airframe entry into service in 2035. Represents a major OEM-driven clean-sheet hydrogen aircraft that could obsolete retrofit players like Conscious Aerospace.
- Pratt & Whitney Canada: OEM of the PW123 turboprop engines on the Dash 8-300 being retrofitted. As the incumbent propulsion supplier on the target airframe, P&WC represents both the displaced technology and a potential partner/acquirer for hydrogen propulsion programs.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Conscious Aerospace social profiles
Digital presenceConscious Aerospace compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance7 records
Conscious Aerospace financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Conscious Aerospace leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles9 records
Conscious Aerospace funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Conscious Aerospace 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 Conscious Aerospace
What does Conscious Aerospace do?
Conscious Aerospace develops and manufactures hydrogen-electric propulsion systems for regional aviation, with its flagship CA2100 being a 2.1 MW hydrogen fuel cell powertrain designed to retrofit the De Havilland Canada Dash 8-300 regional aircraft. The company provides the full propulsion hardware (fuel cell system, electric propulsion unit, thermal management, electrical power management, and hydrogen storage) and pursues EASA Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) approval to certify the modified aircraft.
Is Conscious Aerospace a public or private company?
Conscious Aerospace is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Conscious Aerospace founded?
Conscious Aerospace was founded in 2022. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Conscious Aerospace based?
Conscious Aerospace is headquartered in Rotterdam, Netherlands, in the Europe region.
How does Conscious Aerospace make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Hydrogen Fuel Cell Powertrain Sales (CA2100) is the primary driver. The others are supplemental Type Certificate (STC) for Aircraft Modification and future Forward-Fit Engine Sales.
Who are Conscious Aerospace's main competitors?
De Havilland Canada is listed as an others. Emerging players are H3 Dynamics, Eviation Aircraft, Wright Electric and Heart Aerospace. Direct peers are ZeroAvia, magniX and Universal Hydrogen. Broad incumbents are Airbus (ZEROe hydrogen program) and Pratt & Whitney Canada.
Does Conscious Aerospace have an API?
No public API is recorded for Conscious Aerospace.
What industry is Conscious Aerospace in?
Conscious Aerospace's product category is Aerospace Propulsion Systems. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMABADAH, Electric & Hybrid-Electric Propulsion (eVTOL/Regional), with a secondary code of IMABANAJ, Aerospace Fuel System Components (Tanks, Lines, Valves). Its NAICS code is 336413 and its SIC code is 3724.