PAE (Plataforma Tecnológica Aeroespacial Española)

What PAE (Plataforma Tecnológica Aeroespacial Española) does

PAE (Plataforma Tecnológica Aeroespacial Española) is a member-based technology platform and the recognized national forum for Spanish aerospace R&D+i collaboration. Founded in 2006 and re-positioned in its current form in 2016, it convenes 65+ aerospace entities and approximately 200 individuals across nine specialized working groups (GT1 Aeronautical Strategy, GT2 Space Strategy, GT3 Institutional Support and Public Funding, GT4 Propulsion, GT5 Production and Aero-structures, GT6 Systems, GT7 Defence, GT8 Autonomy, GT9 Data Analysis and Artificial Intelligence). Its members comprise major Spanish OEMs and Tier-1 suppliers (Airbus Operations, GMV, Indra, ITP Aero, Aernnova, Aertec Solutions, MTorres), technology centers (CATEC, Tecnalia, FIDAMC, EURECAT) and universities (UPM, UC3M, Universidade de Vigo, UPV).

PAE's core products are non-commercial coordination assets rather than technology products: collaboratively developed Strategic R&D+i Agendas for Aeronautics and Space that have been accepted by the Ministry of Science, CDTI, the Ministry of Industry and the Spanish Space Agency; an Aerospace Testing Infrastructures Catalog across 13 test families; a Funding Instruments Database covering European (Horizon Europe, Clean Aviation JU, EDF, SESAR, Chips), national (Misiones, PTA, PID, PTE) and regional (Hazitek, Elkartek) programs; and topical directories (Wind Tunnels, UAS Test Centers). The platform is supported by a private intranet, runs a calendar of technical webinars and co-organizes flagship events including the Congreso del Espacio with the Spanish Space Agency and Clean Aviation info days. A 16-member Managing Council governs the organization, with Airbus Operations currently presiding under Jaume Marcos for the 2025-2027 term.

PAE operates a subscription/membership revenue model: companies, research centers and universities join to access working groups, events and member-only resources, supplemented by event-related activity and government/EU programme collaborations. The Madrid-based core team is exceptionally lean at seven employees, with delivery capacity distributed across the member network. Its go-to-market is community-led and event-driven — General Assemblies, webinars, working-group sessions and sector congresses — rather than sales-led. Its distribution footprint is national (Spain) with representation inside European aerospace forums through partnerships with TEDAE, Clean Aviation JU and the European Defence Fund.

Name

PAE (Plataforma Tecnológica Aeroespacial Española)

Legal name

Plataforma Tecnológica Aeroespacial Española

Website

https://plataforma-aeroespacial.es

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

PAE is the Spanish national aerospace technology platform that convenes 65+ companies, research centers, and universities across nine working groups to define strategic R&D agendas, disseminate funding opportunities, and represent Spanish aerospace interests domestically and in European forums under a membership-based model.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Aerospace Industry Collaboration Platform

NAICS

Space Research and Technology (92711), Space Research and Technology (927110)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

Technical Committees, Working Groups & Expert Panels (BPADANAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Science, Technology & Innovation Administration (National R&D Policy) (BPAIAAAK), Institutional Capacity Building & Training (Workforce/Systems Strengthening) (BPADAEAC)

Keywords

• Aerospace technology platform
• Aerospace R&D collaboration
• Aerospace innovation forum
• Aerospace industry coordination
• Aerospace strategic agenda

Headquarters

HQ city

Madrid

HQ country

Spain

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: PAE generates revenue through membership fees from aerospace companies, technology centers, and academic institutions that join the platform to access information, participate in working groups, and attend organized events.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

PAE (Plataforma Tecnológica Aeroespacial Española) operates as a national technology platform and coordination forum for the Spanish aerospace sector. It brings together aerospace companies, research centers, technology centers, and universities to collaborate on R&D ideas, proposals, and projects. The organization develops strategic R&D agendas for Aeronautics and Space, facilitates technology surveillance and foresight, and represents Spanish aerospace interests in national and international forums.

Product overview

PAE (Plataforma Tecnológica Aeroespacial Española) is a national technology platform that serves as a coordination forum for Spanish aerospace R&D+i. Rather than a single product, it operates as a collaborative ecosystem comprising the core platform for aerospace innovation coordination, nine specialized working groups (GT1-GT9) addressing topics from aeronautical and space strategy to autonomy and AI, and various knowledge tools including a Strategic R&D+i Agendas system, an Aerospace Test Infrastructures Catalog with 13 test families, an Aerospace Sector Funding Instruments Database covering European/national/regional programs, and a Wind Tunnels and UAS Test Centers Directory. The platform also maintains a private member intranet for organizational activities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Infraestructuras de ensayos aeroespaciales: Catalog of aerospace testing infrastructures available in Spain
• Alianza H2 Aviación

Products and services

• Plataforma Tecnológica Aeroespacial Española (PAE) Membership Platform
• PAE Working Groups (GT1-GT9)
• Strategic R&D+i Agendas for Aeronautics and Space
• Aerospace Test Infrastructures Catalog (Infraestructuras de ensayos aeroespaciales)
• Aerospace Sector Funding Instruments Database
• Wind Tunnels Directory (Túneles aerodinámicos)
• UAS Test Centers Directory (Centros de ensayo en vuelo UAS)
• PAE Intranet (Área privada)
• H2 Aviation Alliance (Alianza H2 Aviación)

Quantifiable outcome

• Strategic R&D Agendas developed for both Aeronautics and Space sectors, accepted by Ministry of Science, CDTI, Ministry of Industry, and Spanish Space Agency

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• TEDAEcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTEDAE (Spanish Association of Defense, Aerospace and Electronics Technology Companies) collaborates with PAE on major sector events including the Congreso del Espacio (National Space Congress), co-organized with the Spanish Space Agency (AEE).
• AIMPLASminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAIMPLAS (Plastic Technology Institute) organizes the H!1 PLASTICS 2026 international seminar on advanced plastic materials, a relevant topic for aerospace lightweighting applications.
• AIMENminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAIMEN Technology Center organizes the XX Edition of Laser Material Processing Conference, featuring new AI and Sustainability thematic areas.
• BCN Drone CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBCN Drone Center provides UAS training courses including official pilot certifications, skill development, and regulatory compliance for professionals.
• FIDAMCminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFIDAMC (Foundation for Research and Development of Advanced Materials and Processes in Composites) organizes training courses on Complex Structure Assembly and Sealant Applications for aerospace professionals.
• CDTIcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCDTI (Centre for Industrial Technological Development) is Spain's main funding instrument for R&D projects. PAE disseminates CDTI calls and collaborates on priority technology identification for the aerospace sector.
• Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and UniversitiescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Ministry receives PAE's Strategic R&D Agendas and participates in PAE-organized events and consultations on technology priorities.
• Spanish Space Agency (AEE)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Spanish Space Agency collaborates with PAE on the Congreso del Espacio and receives the Strategic Space R&D Agenda developed by PAE working groups.
• Clean Aviation JUcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerClean Aviation Joint Undertaking is a European program dedicated to sustainable aviation technologies. PAE promotes participation in Clean Aviation calls and organizes info days.
• European Defence Fund (EDF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPAE disseminates EDF calls and coordinates Spanish participation in European defense R&D through its GT7 Defence working group.
• BioplatminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSpanish Technological Platform for Biocircularity collaborated on the SAF (Sustainable Aviation Fuel) Specialization Course organized with CIEMAT and Biocirc.
• CIEMATminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCentre for Energy, Environmental and Technological Research collaborated on the SAF Specialization Course along with Bioplat and Biocirc.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Others

• EARTO (European Association of Research and Technology Organisations): EARTO is a European association representing research and technology organizations. It is comparable to PAE as a coordinating body for R&D stakeholders, though operating at a broader sectoral level beyond aerospace.
• CDTI (Centro para el Desarrollo Tecnológico Industrial): CDTI is Spain's main funding agency for industrial R&D. It is an ecosystem peer to PAE because the two are closely linked — PAE disseminates CDTI calls and identifies priority technologies for Spanish aerospace R&D funding.
• Clean Aviation Joint Undertaking: Clean Aviation JU is the European public-private partnership funding sustainable aviation research. It is a peer in the broader sense as an aerospace R&D coordination entity, and PAE is a partner that promotes Spanish participation in Clean Aviation calls.

Broad incumbents

• Royal Aeronautical Society: The Royal Aeronautical Society is a long-established international professional body for the aerospace sector. It is a peer to PAE in providing aerospace community convening, events, and knowledge dissemination, though at a global rather than national scale.
• ASD (AeroSpace and Defence Industries Association of Europe): ASD is the pan-European association representing the aerospace and defense industry at the EU level. It is a broad incumbent peer to PAE because both serve as representative voices for their respective aerospace sectors, although ASD operates at the European level while PAE is national.

Direct peers

• TEDAE (Asociación Española de Empresas Tecnológicas de Defensa, Seguridad, Aeronáutica y Espacio): TEDAE is the Spanish industry association for defense, security, aeronautics, and space companies. It is a direct peer because PAE explicitly collaborates with TEDAE on the Congreso del Espacio and they share overlapping member populations in the Spanish aerospace ecosystem.
• EASN (European Aeronautics Science Network): EASN is a European network of academic and research institutions focused on aeronautics research. It is a peer to PAE because both organize working groups and coordinate R&D collaboration across the European aerospace research community.

Regional players

• Aerospace Wales Forum: Aerospace Wales Forum is a Welsh aerospace cluster organization. It is a peer to PAE as a regional/national aerospace coordination body that convenes industry, academia, and government around shared R&D priorities.
• AeroSpace Valley (France): AeroSpace Valley is a French aerospace competitiveness cluster bringing together industry, research, and academia in Occitanie and Nouvelle-Aquitaine. It is a peer to PAE because both operate as national aerospace coordination bodies with industry-academia working groups and strategic R&D agendas.
• Hamburg Aviation (Germany): Hamburg Aviation is a German aerospace cluster organization coordinating aviation stakeholders in the Hamburg metropolitan region. It is comparable to PAE as a regional aerospace coordination platform with industry, research, and government participation.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/plataforma-tecnologica-aeroespacial-espanola

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 PAE (Plataforma Tecnológica Aeroespacial Española)