Maeve Aerospace goes all-in on hybrid flying

The Delft-based aircraft manufacturer Maeve Aerospace is ready to bring change to the aviation sector. Their new hybrid-electric aircraft technology, which combines traditional fuel engines with electric propulsion, significantly reduces emissions and has the potential to inspire the next generation of aircraft builders.

We speak with Jan Willem Heinen, CEO, and Erwin Koenraads, CFO of Maeve, about their ambitious plan to establish a completely independent flight programme—a rare achievement in Dutch (aviation) history. This comes at a time when the sector faces mounting pressure to find innovative solutions that contribute to global climate targets. Jan Willem co-founded Maeve in 2021, and Erwin joined as CFO in 2022 to help set their sights on the skies. In 2022, Maeve took flight: the company raised €3.6 million from angel investors.

In the Aerospace Delta, the leading South Holland cluster and umbrella name for a sector hosting 80% of all Dutch aviation activities, they were initially met with some scepticism among industry peers. The idea of building a fully electrically powered aircraft was seen as too ambitious and financially risky, given the high costs and technical challenges. Yet Maeve held firmly to its dream. “We returned to our roots: we wanted to contribute to more sustainable aviation and make a real impact. I can confidently say that every Maeve employee feels the same way.”

A Challenging Market: Entering the Aviation Industry

Entering the aviation industry is no easy task. The costs are high, and the technical complexity is immense. Globally, only a few major players hold a strong grip on the market. Nevertheless, Maeve is demonstrating that it is possible for a startup to establish a serious aircraft programme. “Successful aviation programmes usually come from major players like Airbus, Boeing, and Embraer,” Erwin explains. “Development costs run into billions and require thousands of employees; at the same time, this just gives you a sense of the enormous potential it holds.”

From Fully Electric to Hybrid-Electric

What steps were necessary to reach this point? At the end of 2023, Maeve decided to shift its course towards a hybrid-electric aircraft. This decision arose from discussions with investors and a reassessment of technological possibilities. Jan Willem and his team wanted to refocus on regional aviation. “A fully electric aircraft is such a small niche within aviation that it has very limited chances of success,” says Erwin. “You won’t find investors for it because the costs are too high. A hybrid-electric aircraft, however, can serve a much broader market. With a hybrid aircraft, we can execute many more flights with lower emissions, rather than being confined to a small number of fully emissions-free flights.” Maeve is targeting the regional aviation market with their aircraft, offering a capacity of 76 to 100 seats and a range of 2,300 kilometres.

Their latest project, the M80, combines the efficiency of a turboprop with the speed of a jet, delivering up to 40% lower emissions than comparable aircraft. Whereas traditional regional aircraft often rely solely on fuel engines, the M80 uses an innovative hybrid propulsion system that utilises both fuel and electricity. This not only reduces emissions but also allows for more economical and quieter flights. The design thus offers an attractive solution for airlines looking to reduce their ecological footprint without compromising on performance or operational flexibility. Since July 2024, Maeve has been collaborating with aircraft engine manufacturer Pratt & Whitney Canada, with Maeve responsible for aircraft integration and Pratt & Whitney handling propulsion. The company also expects to announce additional collaborations with major industry players soon.

“When we started, we were somewhat inexperienced as newcomers from the e-mobility sector.”

– Erwin Koenraads, CFO Maeve Aerospace

Nowhere in Europe are there as many sustainable aviation initiatives as in the Aerospace Delta, the collective name under which all aerospace activities in South Holland are promoted. From various startups with entirely new aircraft concepts to the development of engines powered by electric (Vaeridion, Elysian, Electron), hydrogen (Conscious), biofuel, or hybrid (Maeve) propulsion, as well as the establishment of hydrogen and sustainable fuel plants in the Port of Rotterdam.

The Important Role of Team and Partners

“When we started, we were somewhat inexperienced as newcomers from the e-mobility sector,” Erwin says with a laugh. “But everything changed with the arrival of our CTO, Martin Nüsseler, in 2023.” Martin brought structure to the design and development of the M80, improved technical processes, and his experience with major aviation programmes proved invaluable. “Martin has previously led programmes like the Airbus A350 and A400M. His expertise was a real game-changer.”

At an early stage, InnovationQuarter and the European Innovation Council invested in the startup. Erwin and Jan Willem were extremely pleased with the support: “These organisations invest their money after thorough research, completing due diligence, and checking all the boxes,” says Erwin. “This gave us credibility—the sense that we had reached a new level. Don’t get me wrong, in aviation, this is still just the beginning. You’re not suddenly ten steps ahead, but rather half a step forward, and that half-step was exactly what helped us attract other parties and convince them of our progress.”

“The wonderful thing about Maeve is that everyone is involved because of the same mission: we want to make aviation more sustainable. That’s our shared motivation.”

— Erwin Koenraads, CFO Maeve Aerospace

The Strong Aviation Sector in South Holland

“The aviation sector in South Holland is strong and extends beyond the provincial borders,” says Jan Willem. In this region, you find a combination of top-level talent, leading knowledge institutions like TU Delft, and a robust network of innovative companies. Moreover, facilities like Rotterdam The Hague Innovation Airport (RHIA) provide the ideal testing environment where new technologies can be developed and validated. “Thanks to these facilities and collaborations, we’ve been able to make real progress. We often joke that if South Holland succeeds in bringing multiple aircraft programmes to market, we could put the region on the map as the Silicon Valley of aviation—a perfect launchpad for startups looking to innovate in aviation.”

“At the same time, the connection with Munich forms an essential link in the development of our ecosystem,” says Erwin. “Munich is a true hub for the established aviation industry, the former home of Airbus, with a well-rooted infrastructure that operates at scale.” This makes the collaboration with Munich particularly valuable for Maeve, as we can benefit from the established expertise and scaling opportunities available there.

When you’re active in a region, you become part of a network. You meet the right people, attend networking events, and get introductions. “That dynamic works the same everywhere,” says Erwin. “But the impact of InnovationQuarter in South Holland is far greater than in Bavaria, because there are far fewer organisations involved here and fewer layers within those networks. That makes a real, tangible difference.”

Collaboration in Aerospace Delta

Aerospace Delta is a rapidly growing cluster of 260 companies and knowledge institutions and 9,000 employees in the aerospace, aviation, and drone sectors. The region brings together a wide range of parties: from innovative engineering companies to large manufacturers and suppliers. Academic institutions such as TU Delft, which ranks among the top three worldwide with its Faculty of Aerospace Engineering, Erasmus University, and Leiden University contribute their expertise in technology, economics, and law. In addition, there are key research institutes like ESA-ESTEC, TNO, and SRON, as well as incubators like YES!Delft and the Aerospace Innovation Hub, which help startups to grow. The collaboration among all these parties, supported by the province of South Holland and local governments, ensures that the aerospace cluster continues to strengthen, for example through the development of specialised test labs and innovation hubs.

Maeve plans to open a new office in the centre of Delft soon, with space for 50 employees. Erwin continues: “In South Holland, certain elements that you find in other aerospace clusters are missing, such as tier-1 suppliers and established aircraft manufacturers. This makes our role even more important, as Maeve can help fill part of that missing link. This also gives all those TU Delft engineering graduates a significant player in the region. It could even mean that highly qualified personnel from abroad return to South Holland.”