HyPoint (acquired by ZeroAvia)

Hypoint develops next-generation hydrogen fuel cells for air transportation and urban air mobility industries, including logistic drones, air taxis, electric vertical takeoff and landing vehicles (eVTOLs), and fixed-wing airplanes. Its unique technology includes a turbo air-cooling architecture, which reduces overall weight compared to conventional liquid cooling. It uses a next-generation high temperature proton exchange membrane (HTPEM), which as per the company increases the efficiency of the cooling system by at least 300%. Furthermore, the company claims its technology can generate power up to 2,000 watts per kilogram, increase operational time by 5x, utilization rate by 10x, and decrease total cost of ownership of any flying platform by 50%.

The company unveiled its first functional prototype in March 2021, with plans to begin shipping the full-scale versions by 2022. At the time, the company also announced that it is working with ZeroAvia, a hydrogen based zero-emission aviation solutions provider, to integrate Hypoint’s technology into ZeroAvia’s airplanes. As reported in December 2020, the company had two customers in the pipeline, translating into contracts worth USD 2 million. In August 2021, HyPoint partnered with Piasecki Aircraft Corporation, and minted a USD 6.5 million multi-phase agreement for the development of five 650kW hydrogen fuel cell systems for use in Piasecki's eVTOL PA-890 Compound Helicopter, which is earmarked to be the world's first manned hydrogen-powered helicopter. The first 650kW system will be delivered to Piasecki in 2023, and commercialization of the product planned by 2025. In October 2021, HyPoint also partnered with BASF New Business, a subsidiary of German-based chemical company BASF, to develop and test a new proton conductive Celtec membrane with stronger mechanical properties. In March 2022, Hypoint partnered with Gloyer-Taylor Laboratories (GTL), an aerospace R&D provider, to introduce longer flight ranges by utilizing liquid hydrogen. Customer orders are planned for mid-2024. 

The company raised USD 350,000 from Angelsdeck Investor Club in a Series A funding round in December 2020, adding to the USD 1.1 million raised in September 2020. The company intended to utilize the funds raised to expand the team, develop its research and development center, and scale production capacity. 

In October 2022, ZeroAvia acquired HyPoint, and the financial details of the transaction were undisclosed.