Problem
EVTOL manufacturers need to deliver the power and torque needed for the flight without unduly penalizing mass, efficiency, and thermal management, while maintaining high levels of safety and reliability. These requirements are interdependent, and the integration between motor, power electronics, control, and monitoring systems increases development complexity, time, and risk. For Brazilian manufacturers, there is also the dependence on foreign technologies and suppliers.
Solution
SPEN develops an integrated electric propulsion platform for EVTOLs, in which motor, power electronics, and control are designed in a coordinated manner. The motor uses a hybrid axial-radial architecture, while the embedded intelligence layer is applied to the control, detection and diagnosis of faults, protection, optimization, and management of system health. A software layer complements the platform with monitoring, history, forecasting, alerts, and data analysis. The architecture is designed to be configurable to different aircraft requirements, allowing the reuse of technology and reducing the integration effort with each new program.
Business model
Our model begins with a paid NRE for integration and parameterization of the platform to the manufacturer's program, with a preliminary ticket of R$ 250 Thousand a R$ 500 Thousand. The objective of this stage is to achieve the win design; based on it, the recipe is scaled up by the serial supply of the motor system, power electronics and control, whose preliminary ASP is being validated in the range of R$ 100 Thousand a R$ 150 thousand on a low scale. In the long term, the model may incorporate licensing, royalties, and subscription to propulsion monitoring, diagnosis, and health management software. The tickets will still be refined by BOM, volume, and validation with OEMs. Engineering opens the program; customer production multiplies revenue.
Market
Our primary market is electric propulsion for EVTOLs and other electric aircraft. Within the global Advanced Air Mobility ecosystem, designed in US$ 137,1 billions in 2035, the propulsion systems segment is estimated at approximately US$ 24,5 billions in the same year. It is in this market that SPEN intends to capture value with engines, power electronics, control and software. The initial focus is eVTOLs; high-performance professional drones represent an adjacent application of the platform. Our effectively serviced market will be refined by power range, target programs, and production volumes.
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
SPEN differentiates itself in the combination of its own axial-radial hybrid engine architecture with power, control and intelligence electronics developed from the start as a single propulsion platform. While integration and high power density are already being pursued by global competitors, our thesis is to combine these layers into a parameterizable technological core, including diagnosis, prognosis, and fault management, that can be adapted to different programs without restarting development. For Brazilian and Latin American manufacturers, we added close engineering, support, and less dependence on external suppliers. The architecture's performance advantage will still be proven during the prototyping and testing phase.
Entry barrier
Today, our barrier lies in the integrated accumulation of know-how and engineering assets in electrical machines, power electronics, control, multiphysics modeling, and platform integration. As we move forward, this moat will be augmented by intellectual property, proprietary test and fault data, diagnostic and prognostic algorithms, manufacturing processes, and aeronautical validation evidence. When technology is incorporated into customer programs, the application-specific knowledge and effort required to replace and revalidate the system tend to increase exchange costs.
Traction
Yes. Our traction today is mainly technological and institutional. We have already advanced from conception to a motor architecture defined in CAD, electromagnetic and mechanical development in a virtual environment, and validation of PMSM control strategies in simulation and bench. We were selected for the 3DEXPERIENCE Lab/Dassault Systèmes ecosystem, integrated the Nexus and were Top 1000 of the Sebrae Startup Summit in 2025 and 2026. Our next milestone is to transform these assets into an integrated prototype and validation with industrial partners, then moving on to design partners and first contracts.