Stellar Aircraft, Inc.

Stellar Aircraft, Inc. — Pitch

Stellar Aircraft is revolutionizing advanced air mobility with hydrogen-powered eVTOL aircraft that leverage proprietary solid-state hydrogen storage—a breakthrough "battery" technology delivering 6.6 kWh/kg energy density, 16x that of lithium-ion batteries. This enables unprecedented performance: 1,100-mile ranges (5x-10x battery eVTOLs), speeds up to 325 MPH (2x helicopters), and 60-75% operating cost savings via efficient blue hydrogen at under $5/kg, all while prioritizing safety through inert, non-explosive storage that eliminates the hazards of gaseous or liquid hydrogen. Founded in 2021, we began by exploring conventional hydrogen eVTOL designs but, after rigorous supply-chain and techno-economic analysis, recognized their limitations in scalability due to volatile storage, limited infrastructure, and range constraints mirroring battery plateaus. Returning to first principles, we engineered a system to dismantle these barriers and position hydrogen eVTOLs as the dominant point-to-point mobility solution: No battery density limits. With battery tech stalled at 0.4 kWh/kg and eVTOL ranges shrinking from 250 to 50 miles, our metal hydride matrix—independently lab-tested in March 2025 with ongoing cycle validation—unlocks 6.6 kWh/kg, powering flights over 1,000 miles without awaiting elusive breakthroughs. No hazardous hydrogen handling. Industry shifts to hydrogen rely on flammable gases or cryogenic liquids, demanding complex onboard systems. Our solid-state approach stores hydrogen as an inert solid via a proprietary fueling system, rendering it safe, leak-proof, and puncture-resistant—transforming logistics and certification. Scalable, on-demand infrastructure. Sparse hydrogen networks hinder adoption; we enable ubiquitous on-site reforming from natural gas or propane at vertiports, with container-sized plants producing fuel at $3-4/kg or hangar-scale at $1-2/kg, matching jet fuel's environmental footprint pre-carbon capture. Superior efficiency and performance. Pairing fuel cells with low-maintenance electric motors yields 60-75% cost reductions, 2x speeds, and seamless integration into existing aviation ecosystems, outpacing short-haul jets and helicopters in urban-to-regional travel. Investor-aligned regulatory path. By sidestepping volatile fuels and exotic materials, we align with familiar electric propulsion norms, fostering supportive oversight amid global pushes for sustainable mobility, urban decongestion, and energy transitions—accelerating FAA/EASA approvals. The Stellar Solid-State Hydrogen Platform powers our jet line: the Adventure Jet (6 passengers, 1,150-mile range, $9M), CEO Jet (4 passengers, 2,000-mile range, $6M), and UAV demonstrator (110-lb payload, 500-mile range, $1M). Beyond aviation, this Solid State Hydrogen "battery" tech redefines energy storage: almost any battery-powered device—from EVs and drones to portable electronics—can now run on solid-state hydrogen, enabling 10x-20x longer operation between charges without added weight or safety risks, unlocking trillions in cross-industry potential within the $1.5T advanced air mobility market by 2040. Traction: Raised $16M ($1.5M preorder deposits, $3M cash, $11.5M non-dilutive services); $40M committed from European aerospace leader FED JSC for manned demonstrator; $600M in LOIs (Asia, India, Australia; up to 20-unit orders); completed 3rd-gen propulsion (valued at $150M comparable), CFD/wind tunnel testing, and subsystems. World's first solid hydrogen flight targeted Q3 2025 (unmanned 1/3-scale, TRL 6 aircraft/7 storage); manned by Q1 2027. Seeking $10M seed to build manned prototype. Team led by CEO Alexey Popov (aerospace MBA, generational aviator), CFO Ed Boyle (30+ years VC/hedge funds, West Point), COO Daniel Kearns (20 years private aviation), and Sr. Advisor Dr. Alexander V. Los (former Antonov head, 12+ aircraft commercialized).

Problempitch_v1_import

eVTOLs have always been the holy grail for advanced air mobility. Clean, quiet, point-to-point urban travel. The electric aviation age promised abundance and liberty in transportation. So why has it failed to date? What are the barriers to mass adoption that have plagued eVTOLs from taking their rightful place as the dominant distributed mobility system? At Stellar Aircraft, we started in 2022 by designing hydrogen-powered eVTOLs—a fuel cell, electric motor concept—cliché. After full supply-chain and techno-economic work, we concluded conventional approaches wouldn’t mass-produce or mass-deploy due to battery range constraints, hydrogen storage hazards, and infrastructure bottlenecks. So we went back to first principles and designed a system to remove the barriers that keep eVTOLs from displacing helicopters and short-haul jets at scale: No battery plateau limitations. Battery development has stalled, capping eVTOL ranges at under 50 miles despite initial 250-mile targets. Our solid-state hydrogen storage delivers 6.6 kWh/kg—16x the energy density of lithium-ion batteries (0.4 kWh/kg)—enabling 1,100-mile ranges without exotic advancements. No dangerous hydrogen storage. The industry shift to hydrogen eVTOLs relies on explosive gaseous or cryogenic liquid forms, requiring special tanks and cooling that are flammable, leak-prone, and logistically nightmarish. We use inert solid metal hydride matrices—bonded with hydrogen via a proprietary onboard fueling system—that eliminate these risks, storing hydrogen safely as a non-volatile solid. Truly scalable and ubiquitous fueling. Hydrogen infrastructure is sparse and costly. We enable on-site reforming from natural gas or propane at airports/vertiports—using container-sized plants for $3-4/kg or hangar-sized for $1-2/kg—leveraging near-ubiquitous fuel availability with environmental impact comparable to jet fuel (pre-carbon capture). Cost-effective efficiency at scale. We pair fuel cells with low-maintenance electric motors for 60-75% operating cost savings over traditional aviation, while achieving 325 MPH speeds—2x faster than helicopters or battery eVTOLs. Regulatory posture: from adversarial to supportive. By avoiding volatile hydrogen forms and aligning with proven electric propulsion, we shift engagement from "novelty skepticism" to "familiar + incremental," unlocking predictable certification pathways. Further, recent movements in urban congestion, energy transition, and sustainability have made long-range hydrogen eVTOLs a priority for global mobility. The Stellar Solid-State Hydrogen "Battery" is the product of these design principles and learnings, powering our aircraft line (Adventure Jet: 6 passengers, 1,150-mile range; CEO Jet: 4 passengers, 2,000-mile range; UAV: 110-lb payload, 500-mile range) and unlocking a $1.5 trillion market by 2040. Beyond aviation, this revolutionary storage means almost anything battery-powered—from drones and EVs to portable devices—can now run on solid-state hydrogen, enabling electric systems to function 10x-20x longer between charges without weight or safety penalties, transforming energy density across industries.