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2024-08-20

Headquarters

San Francisco, CA

Employee Count

2

Year Founded

2023

Amount raised

$250k pre-seed

Business model

Production and sale of Fusion Propulsion retrofit systems, installed on aircraft via a global network of MRO partners, with annual licensing, maintenance and fusion fuel contracts.

Early traction

Signed an LOI with Natilus to integrate AeroFuse's Fusion Propulsion System into autonomous cargo drones, and obtained letters of support from Airbus, Boeing, Embraer, DIU and FedEx

Setting the Scene
  • Aviation is on track to become the largest carbon emitter.

    • As the industry shifts towards Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), 2x-5x the price of traditional jet fuel, airlines grapple with balancing fuel costs.

    • Currently, airlines operate on razor-thin margins, with fuel costs consuming a third of operating budgets.

  • This week’s company brings zero-emission propulsion to large aircrafts, without the green premium.

In a Sentence

AeroFuse pioneers aviation fusion propulsion systems that cut emissions and extend aircraft range.

  • Fusion Propulsion Systems: Fusion, a process where atomic nuclei combine to generate heat, powers AeroFuse's fusion propulsion system where their specialized fusion heat exchanger extracts thermal energy to drive a turbine engine.

  • Range: By integrating this advanced fusion technology, aircrafts can achieve an extended range, enabling longer flights with fewer emissions.

Bulleted Version

Imagine harnessing the energy of a small star to propel an aircraft through the sky— that’s the same revolutionary power AeroFuse brings to aviation with fusion energy.
Due Diligence
What We Like
  • Massive Market Opportunity: AeroFuse targets the aviation industry's $5 trillion problem by offering a groundbreaking fusion propulsion system that can significantly reduce fuel costs and emissions.

  • Shift to Zero Emissions: With regulatory pressure and market demand increasingly favoring zero emissions, AeroFuse's fusion technology is uniquely positioned in an industry that is struggling to decarbonize.

  • Fusion: Unlike alternatives that rely on SAF or hydrogen—both facing limitations in scalability and cost—fusion offers a limitless, energy-dense power source that reduces emissions while providing efficiency for long-haul aviation.

Potential Risks
  • Technical Complexity: Fusion energy remains one of the most challenging scientific frontiers, with hurdles to achieve conditions for sustained reactions.

  • High Capital Requirements: The development and scaling of fusion propulsion systems require substantial and continuous capital investment, posing a risk if funding is insufficient or delayed.

  • Regulatory and Adoption Barriers: Introducing a novel technology like fusion into the aviation industry will likely face stringent regulatory scrutiny and slow market adoption.

Founder Profile
RW
Ryan Weed, CEO
Previously at Draper and the US Air Force.

WhyAeroFuse

While other companies focus on SAF and hydrogen fuel cells, AeroFuse is charting a course that could make aviation more sustainable and efficient.

*Nothing in this content constitutes investment or legal advice. Conduct independent diligence and consult professional advisers before making investment decisions.*

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