Problem
EVTOL manufacturers need to reconcile power, torque, mass, efficiency, heat dissipation, and safety in propulsion systems critical to flight. Purchasing motor, inverter, and control from different suppliers transfers the burden to the manufacturer of compatible interfaces, carrying out tests, and managing integration risks. Developing everything internally requires specialists, infrastructure, and capital. SPEN seeks to reduce this effort by offering a propulsion platform designed in an integrated way, with engineering support and the possibility of parameterization for each program.
Solution
We developed an electric propulsion platform for eVTOL manufacturers, combining an axial-radial hybrid architecture motor, electronic drive and embedded control designed together. The goal is to optimize system performance, not just that of each isolated component. The platform is being structured to adapt to the power requirements, torque, interfaces, and operating conditions of different programs. Diagnostic, prognostic, and supervisory functions comprise the development roadmap. The current stage includes engineering and simulations; the integrated prototype and its quantitative advantages still depend on testing.
Business model
Our B2B model provides for paid non-recurring engineering contracts (NRE) to parameterize and integrate the platform with the manufacturer's requirements, with a preliminary ticket estimated at R$ 250 Thousand a R$ 500 Thousand. The goal is to achieve a design win and, after validations and contracting, to provide serial propulsion systems, with a hypothetical starting price of R$ 100 Thousand a R$ 150 thousand per unit on a low scale. The repetition of modules, algorithms, and processes between programs is the basis of scalability. Licensing and monitoring may generate additional future revenue. Prices and margins still depend on BOM, testing, and validation with OEMs.
Market
SPEN's initial focus is on propulsion systems for eVTOL manufacturers. Grand View Research projects US$ 24,48 billions in 2035 for propulsion systems in the global Advanced Air Mobility market. In a broader context, Future Market Insights estimates US$ 28,2 billions for electrified aeronautical propulsion in 2035, including components that are not part of our current offering. Our effectively serviceable opportunity depends on the power ranges, architecture, and requirements of the target programs; we don't consider all of the industry's revenue to be affordable. Adjacent applications will be evaluated after the validation of the first product.
Competitors
Key international competitors and benchmarks include H3X Technologies, Evolito, Nidec Aerospace, MagniX, and EMRAX. H3X develops integrated motor drives; Evolito, motors, controls and electric engines; Nidec Aerospace, a joint venture between Nidec and Embraer, develops electric propulsion systems for EVTOLs and is an Eve supplier; MagniX offers integrated electric powertrains; and EMRAX is a reference in axial motors for aeronautical applications. In Brazil, we have so far not identified an independent startup with a platform equivalent to the SPEN proposal.
Competitive differentiation
Our differentiating hypothesis is to combine the axial-radial hybrid motor architecture with integrated power and control electronics design, allowing joint optimization of mass, efficiency, dynamic response and thermal management. The parameterization of the platform seeks to reduce the effort to adapt to new programs. For Brazilian manufacturers, we offer proximity for co-development and technical support. We have not yet claimed experimental superiority over H3X, Evolito, or EMRAX: we are structuring comparisons with homogeneous criteria of continuous power, power density, efficiency, temperature, and cost.
Entry barrier
The current barrier is integrated knowledge in electromagnetic and mechanical design, power electronics, predictive control, and multiphysics modeling, associated with the developed engineering models and methods. We intend to expand this barrier with our own test results, correlation between models and prototypes, manufacturing processes, embedded algorithms, and intellectual property protection when applicable. In the future, approval and integration into aeronautical programs may increase replacement costs. These future assets are not yet presented as proven barriers.
Traction
SPEN has a mainly technological and institutional traction, yet there is no evidence of commercial recurrence of the propulsion platform. We developed motor architecture in CAD and electromagnetic and mechanical models, in addition to PMSM control studies with simulation and bench results. We participated in the 3DEXPERIENCE Lab/Dassault Systèmes ecosystem and the Nexus and were recognized among the Top 1000 startups from the Sebrae Startups Award in 2025 and 2026. We do not declare that the integrated hybrid engine has already been experimentally validated. The next milestones are prototyping and testing, validation of requirements with manufacturers, and progress to paid co-development projects.