Purdue Solar Racing
Purdue Solar Racing is a nonprofit Purdue University student organization, founded in 1991, that designs, builds, and races solar-powered vehicles for competitions such as FSGP and the American Solar Challenge, funded through donations and tiered corporate sponsorships.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1991
- HeadquartersWest Lafayette, United States
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Purdue Solar Racing does
Purdue Solar Racing is a nonprofit student organization at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana, founded in 1991, that designs, builds, and races solar-powered vehicles. The team's core products are solar race cars engineered for endurance competitions such as the Formula Sun Gran Prix (FSGP) and the American Solar Challenge (ASC). Its current portfolio includes Espilcé XI — a vehicle reverse-engineered in collaboration with Eclipse Solar Car (Éclipse 11) following a fairing-door exchange — and Artemis, a next-generation car in development for FSGP 2026 and ASC 2026. Manufacturing relies on CAD/CAM tooling (notably Autodesk Fusion 360 CAM) for components ranging from suspension mounts to carbon fiber molds, with materials supplied by sponsors including Plascore (honeycomb cores) and Air Tech International.
The organization does not sell products or services; it is funded entirely through donations, crowdfunding campaigns (including Purdue Day of Giving), and tiered corporate sponsorships (Platinum, Gold, Silver, Bronze, Partner). Identified supporters include Precision Board, AOC Formulations, and Thermwood at the Platinum tier; Air Tech International, Plascore, and the Purdue Provost at Gold; Autodesk (Fusion 360 CAM software) at Silver; and Northrop Grumman, Lockheed Martin, Caterpillar, and Dassault Systèmes at Bronze/Partner. Purdue Solar Racing serves two primary stakeholder groups: the educational community (engineering students and renewable-energy outreach audiences) and corporate sponsors seeking association with sustainable transportation, engineering talent, and motorsport visibility. Distribution is limited to demonstration at sanctioned competitions and community events such as the Women in Motorsports Car Show.
Purdue Solar Racing firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Purdue Solar Racing
- Legal name
- Purdue Solar Racing
- Website
- https://purduesolar.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1991
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Purdue Solar Racing is a nonprofit Purdue University student organization, founded in 1991, that designs, builds, and races solar-powered vehicles for competitions such as FSGP and the American Solar Challenge, funded through donations and tiered corporate sponsorships.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Purdue Solar Racing industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Solar Racing Vehicles
- NAICS
- Sports Teams and Clubs (711211), Sporting and Athletic Goods Manufacturing (33992)
- SIC
- Sporting & Athletic Goods, Nec (3949), Services-Racing, Including Track Operation (7948)
- akta.pro primary industry
- College & University Sports Networks (Conference/School-Owned) (MPABAJAD)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Solar Workforce, Training & Safety Services (Installer Training, Certification, EHS) (EUAMABAO)
Keywords
Where Purdue Solar Racing is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- West Lafayette
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Purdue Solar Racing business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Donations and Sponsorships: As a nonprofit organization, Purdue Solar Racing operates entirely through donations, corporate sponsorships, and fundraising campaigns. All contributions go directly toward designing and manufacturing solar vehicles for competition.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels4 records
Purdue Solar Racing product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Purdue Solar Racing is a nonprofit student organization that designs, builds, and races solar-powered vehicles for collegiate competitions. The organization's core deliverables are two solar race cars: Espilcé XI (a reverse-engineered vehicle based on Éclipse 11) and Artemis (a next-generation vehicle under development for FSGP and ASC 2026). Activities are funded through donations and corporate sponsorships, with no commercial product sales.
Product overview
Purdue Solar Racing is a non-profit organization that designs, builds, and races solar-powered vehicles. The organization operates two primary product lines: Espilcé XI (a reverse-engineered solar race car based on Éclipse 11) and Artemis (the next-generation solar car under development for 2026 competitions). Both vehicles are engineered for endurance racing in the Formula Sun Gran Prix and American Solar Challenge events.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Espilcé XI Solar-powered race car reverse-engineered from Éclipse 11 (Eclipse Solar Car team's vehicle). Built for endurance competition at FSGP 2026 and used by the Purdue Solar Racing team for collegiate solar car racing.
- Artemis Next-generation solar-powered race car currently under development by Purdue Solar Racing. Planned to compete in the Formula Sun Gran Prix and American Solar Challenge in summer 2026. Built using crowdfunding and sponsor support.
Quantifiable outcome
- Active participation in Formula Sun Gran Prix 2026 and American Solar Challenge 2026
Companies that use Purdue Solar Racing
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Purdue Solar Racing technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature1 record
Purdue Solar Racing partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- AutodeskcoreSilver sponsor providing Fusion 360 CAM software for precise machining and manufacturing of critical components including suspension mounts and carbon fiber molds. Their tools enable accurate design-to-manufacturing workflow.
- Eclipse Solar Car (Éclipse 11)coreCollaborative partner team. After a fairing door exchange nearly two years ago, Purdue Solar Racing successfully reverse-engineered the entirety of Éclipse 11 and looks forward to competing together at FSGP 2026.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Purdue Solar Racing competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Stanford Solar Car Project: Stanford University's student-run solar car racing team designs and builds solar vehicles for competition. They are a direct peer in university solar car racing with comparable engineering program talent and competition participation.
- ETH Zurich Solar Car Team: ETH Zurich's academic motor sport team focused on solar-powered vehicle development and competition. They are a peer in university solar car racing at an international level with multiple World Solar Challenge entries.
- University of Michigan Solar Car Team: University of Michigan's solar car racing team competes in solar car competitions including the American Solar Challenge. They are a direct peer as a fellow university solar car racing program competing in the same premier collegiate events as Purdue Solar Racing.
- Georgia Tech Solar Racing: Georgia Tech's solar racing team competes in solar car competitions such as FSGP and ASC. They are a direct peer as a university solar car racing program with similar competition focus and educational mission.
- MIT Solar Electric Vehicle Team: MIT's solar electric vehicle team designs and races solar-powered vehicles. As a peer university team, they share the same mission of advancing solar vehicle technology through student-led engineering and competition.
- University of Waterloo Solar Car Team: University of Waterloo's Midnight Sun solar car team is one of the most successful university solar car racing teams globally. They are a direct peer in solar car racing competitions, though based in Canada.
- Eclipse Solar Car (Éclipse 11): Eclipse Solar Car is a competing solar car racing team that Purdue Solar Racing actively collaborated with for the fairing door exchange and ongoing development. They are a direct peer as a fellow competitor team in the solar car racing community.
- Princeton Racing Electric: Princeton University's electric vehicle racing team. They are a peer in university-level electric and solar vehicle development, design, and competition.
- UC Berkeley Solar Vehicle Team: UC Berkeley's solar vehicle team designs and builds solar-powered vehicles for competition. They share the same mission of university-based solar car engineering, racing, and sustainability education.
Emerging players
- Aptera Motors: Aptera is a solar electric vehicle company developing consumer solar-powered vehicles. While not a university competition team, they share the broader mission of advancing solar-powered transportation technology and represent a commercial application of student-developed solar EV expertise.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Purdue Solar Racing social profiles
Digital presencePurdue Solar Racing financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Purdue Solar Racing leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Purdue Solar Racing funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Purdue Solar Racing 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 Purdue Solar Racing
What does Purdue Solar Racing do?
Purdue Solar Racing is a nonprofit student organization that designs, builds, and races solar-powered vehicles for collegiate competitions. The organization's core deliverables are two solar race cars: Espilcé XI (a reverse-engineered vehicle based on Éclipse 11) and Artemis (a next-generation vehicle under development for FSGP and ASC 2026). Activities are funded through donations and corporate sponsorships, with no commercial product sales.
Is Purdue Solar Racing a public or private company?
Purdue Solar Racing is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Purdue Solar Racing founded?
Purdue Solar Racing was founded in 1991. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Purdue Solar Racing based?
Purdue Solar Racing is headquartered in West Lafayette, United States, in the North America region.
How does Purdue Solar Racing make money?
One revenue line is on record: donations and Sponsorships.
Who are Purdue Solar Racing's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Stanford Solar Car Project, ETH Zurich Solar Car Team, University of Michigan Solar Car Team, Georgia Tech Solar Racing, MIT Solar Electric Vehicle Team, University of Waterloo Solar Car Team, Eclipse Solar Car (Éclipse 11), Princeton Racing Electric and UC Berkeley Solar Vehicle Team. Aptera Motors is listed as an emerging player.
Does Purdue Solar Racing have an API?
No public API is recorded for Purdue Solar Racing.
What industry is Purdue Solar Racing in?
Purdue Solar Racing's product category is Solar Racing Vehicles. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPABAJAD, College & University Sports Networks (Conference/School-Owned), with a secondary code of EUAMABAO, Solar Workforce, Training & Safety Services (Installer Training, Certification, EHS). Its NAICS code is 711211 and its SIC code is 3949.