UAntwerp Solar Boat Team

What UAntwerp Solar Boat Team does

UAntwerp Solar Boat Team is a student team at the University of Antwerp that designs, builds, and races solar-powered boats in international competitions. Founded in 2007, the team comprises approximately 14 bachelor and master students who annually engineer a new vessel, with their current platform being the Torpedo MK.II EVO. The team's core technology stack includes fully solar-powered propulsion, a fully electronic steer-by-wire system, and an autonomous navigation system featuring AI-powered object detection and intelligent route planning, developed to compete in the AI-class of the Monaco Energy Boat Challenge.

The organization operates as a non-commercial academic initiative, generating no product revenue and relying entirely on a multi-tiered partnership ecosystem (Gold, Silver, Bronze, Supporting) and individual fiscal donations. Its go-to-market is event-driven: participation in international competitions such as the Monaco Energy Boat Challenge serves as both a technology validation channel and a visibility event, supplemented by local outreach such as TechNight Antwerpen. Industry partners include heavyweights such as DEME, Atlas Copco, Schneider, Torqeedo, and Evonik, alongside the University of Antwerp as the institutional host.

The team is currently developing an open-source platform intended to publish its engineering work and accelerate knowledge sharing in sustainable maritime technology. Its primary stated purpose is to advance sustainable maritime transport through solar energy and autonomous navigation, while providing hands-on engineering experience for students. The team's competitive validation was achieved by winning first place in the Monaco Energy Boat Challenge AI-class across all three disciplines (autonomous navigation, object detection, and route planning).

Name

UAntwerp Solar Boat Team

Legal name

UAntwerp Solar Boat Team

Website

https://uantwerpsolarboat.be

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

UAntwerp Solar Boat Team is a University of Antwerp student team that designs and races solar-powered boats, including the autonomous Torpedo MK.II EVO, for international competitions. Funded by tiered sponsors and donations, it serves as an academic R&D platform for sustainable maritime innovation.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Solar-Powered Marine Vessels

NAICS

Boat Building (336612), Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing (334511)

SIC

Ship & Boat Building & Repairing (3730), Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812)

akta.pro primary industry

Electric & Hybrid Leisure Craft Manufacturing (IMAJAEAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Marine Hybrid & Electric Propulsion Systems (IMAJAHAC), Marine & Underwater Robotics (USVs/UUVs) (HDAAAIAH), Marine Generators, Alternators & Power Electronics (Gen-sets, VFDs, converters) (IMAJAHAI), Shore Power & Electrification Systems (Cold Ironing, Charging Interfaces) (IMAJAJAM)

Keywords

• Solar boat racing
• Autonomous marine vessels
• Renewable maritime technology
• Open source boat design
• Student engineering teams

Headquarters

HQ city

Antwerp

HQ country

Belgium

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Partnership and Sponsorship: The UAntwerp Solar Boat Team operates entirely on support from partners and individuals. They offer partnership opportunities to companies wanting to support sustainable maritime innovation.
2. Fiscal Support/Donations: Individual donors can provide fiscal support to the team

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

The UAntwerp Solar Boat Team designs, builds, and races a solar-powered boat (Torpedo MK.II EVO) equipped with autonomous capabilities including AI-powered object detection, intelligent route planning, and an electronic steer-by-wire system. The team uses the boat to compete in international solar boat races, most notably the Monaco Energy Boat Challenge, where it won first place in the AI class.

Product overview

UAntwerp Solar Boat Team develops solar-powered boats for competitive racing in international competitions. The team builds and maintains boats equipped with autonomous capabilities including steer-by-wire systems, AI-powered object detection, and intelligent route planning. The Torpedo MK.II EVO is their current racing boat featuring full electronic steer-by-wire technology.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Torpedo MK.II EVO: The team's solar boat with autonomous capabilities, featuring AI-powered object detection, intelligent route planning, and electronic steer-by-wire system.

Products and services

• Torpedo MK.II EVO A solar-powered boat equipped with autonomous navigation, AI-powered object detection, intelligent route planning, and a full electronic steer-by-wire system, built by University of Antwerp students to compete in international solar boat races such as the Monaco Energy Boat Challenge.

Quantifiable outcome

• Won first place at Monaco Energy Boat Challenge AI-class by winning all three disciplines

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

21 partnerships are on record, tiered gold, silver, bronze and minor.

• Building technologygoldStrategic or Co-development PartnerGold partner supporting the UAntwerp Solar Boat Team's sustainable maritime research initiatives
• VIROgoldStrategic or Co-development PartnerGold partner supporting the UAntwerp Solar Boat Team's sustainable maritime research initiatives
• BlommaertgoldStrategic or Co-development PartnerGold partner supporting the UAntwerp Solar Boat Team's sustainable maritime research initiatives
• DEMEgoldStrategic or Co-development PartnerGold partner supporting the UAntwerp Solar Boat Team's sustainable maritime research initiatives
• University of AntwerpgoldStrategic or Co-development PartnerInstitutional partner and host of the UAntwerp Solar Boat Team, providing academic resources and student talent
• Barisco EnergygoldStrategic or Co-development PartnerGold partner supporting the UAntwerp Solar Boat Team's sustainable maritime research initiatives
• Offshore Positioning SystemsgoldStrategic or Co-development PartnerGold partner supporting the UAntwerp Solar Boat Team's sustainable maritime research initiatives
• RS-onlinesilverStrategic or Co-development PartnerSilver partner providing components and support for solar boat development
• Vario DrivebronzeStrategic or Co-development PartnerBronze partner supporting sustainable maritime innovation
• TorqeedobronzeTechnology or IntegrationBronze partner specializing in electric marine propulsion systems
• Atlas CopcobronzeStrategic or Co-development PartnerBronze partner supporting sustainable maritime innovation
• KangaCodersbronzeTechnology or IntegrationBronze partner providing web development services; built the team website
• RYCBbronzeStrategic or Co-development PartnerBronze partner supporting sustainable maritime innovation
• AertssenbronzeStrategic or Co-development PartnerBronze partner supporting sustainable maritime innovation
• EvonikbronzeTechnology or IntegrationBronze partner specializing in composite materials for marine applications
• Phoenix ContactbronzeTechnology or IntegrationBronze partner providing industrial automation and control technology
• Aero Marine ResearchbronzeStrategic or Co-development PartnerBronze partner specializing in marine research and development
• SchneiderbronzeStrategic or Co-development PartnerBronze partner supporting sustainable maritime innovation
• vanraakstaalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupporting partner for the team
• GTVminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupporting partner for the team
• ImprentaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupporting partner for the team

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Solar Team Eindhoven (TU/e): Eindhoven University of Technology student team focused on solar-powered vehicles, including boat categories. Comparable on academic-team structure, solar propulsion R&D, and Dutch/Benelux ecosystem overlap.
• Solar Boat Twente: University of Twente student team building a solar-powered boat for international competitions. Direct comparable on student-team operating model and solar boat competition focus.
• Brunel Solar Team: Dutch university student team known for high-profile solar vehicle challenges. Comparable as a Dutch academic solar-mobility initiative, although historically more focused on cars than boats.
• TU Delft Solar Boat Team: Dutch university solar boat team that designs and races solar-powered boats in international competitions including the Monaco Energy Boat Challenge. Direct comparable on student-team structure, solar propulsion focus, and competition-driven GTM.

Emerging players

• Silent-Yachts: Commercial solar-electric catamaran/yacht builder. Comparable on solar-powered leisure marine vessels, but as a commercial product company rather than a competition team.
• Soel Yachts: Dutch builder of solar-electric leisure vessels. Comparable on solar/electric marine technology focus, with a commercial product orientation that contrasts with the UAntwerp team's competition focus.

Broad incumbents

• Torqeedo: Established commercial supplier of electric marine propulsion systems, and a current Bronze technology partner of the team. Comparable on electric marine propulsion but operates as a commercial incumbent rather than a student project.
• Monaco Energy Boat Challenge: The organizer and competitive venue where the UAntwerp Solar Boat Team won its AI-class title. Defines the rule set and competition categories that anchor the team's GTM and benchmark performance.
• Hinckley Yachts (Dasher): Premium yacht builder whose Dasher model is a fully electric leisure craft. Comparable on electric/hybrid leisure marine manufacturing, but at a high-end luxury commercial scale.
• Duffy Electric Boat Company: Established manufacturer of electric leisure boats. Comparable on electric leisure craft product category but operates as a long-standing commercial incumbent, primarily in the US market.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights5 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/UAntwerp.Solar.Boat.Team
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/uantwerp-solar-boat-team
• Instagraminstagram.com/solarboatuantwerp

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 UAntwerp Solar Boat Team