AERLIN Completes Seed Round for Flying-Wing Aircraft

The Berlin-based aviation startup AERLIN has closed its seed funding round. New investors include Hamburg-based eFUEL GROUP, IBB Ventures, private investors, and members of the Business Angel Club Berlin-Brandenburg. The company, founded in 2025, plans to use the capital to build the first manned prototype of its flying wing aircraft and to advance the development of the first production model. No details were provided regarding the amount of the funding round.

First model to be a two-seat sports aircraft

AERLIN is developing an aircraft that differs fundamentally from the classic combination of fuselage and wings. In the so-called flying-wing concept, both elements merge into a single aerodynamic unit. The first planned production model is set to be a two-seat ultralight sport aircraft with a wingspan of approximately twelve meters. In addition to private sport pilots, the startup is targeting flight schools and air sports clubs as potential customers.

The capital raised in the seed round will initially be used to build a prototype. This development step is crucial for AERLIN to further refine the current concept into a manned aircraft.

Lower Drag Aims to Reduce Energy Consumption

AERLIN’s technological approach focuses specifically on achieving greater aerodynamic efficiency. By integrating the fuselage and wing, the goal is to reduce drag compared to conventional aircraft configurations. This, in turn, could result in lower energy requirements to keep the aircraft airborne and maneuver it.

“With our flying wing architecture, we want to help fundamentally improve the efficiency of future aircraft,” explains

AERLIN CEO and co-founder Dr. Alexander Erdmann

AERLIN does not intend to focus solely on changing the propulsion system, but rather to start with the fundamental architecture of an aircraft.

eFUEL GROUP Combines Aircraft Construction with Synthetic Fuels

Among the new shareholders is the Hamburg-based eFUEL GROUP. For AERLIN, this investment is also strategically significant. The eFUEL GROUP focuses on investments and projects related to eFuels, sustainable aviation fuels, and carbon management. This investment thus brings together two approaches to achieving lower-emission aviation: more efficient aircraft architecture and alternative fuels.

AERLIN accordingly designates the eFUEL GROUP as the lead investor in the funding round. Dirk Wullenweber, CIO of the eFUEL GROUP, sees the collaboration as an opportunity to further develop new technological and industrial solutions for decarbonizing air travel.

In addition to the eFUEL GROUP, IBB Ventures is taking a stake in AERLIN. Private investors and members of the Business Angel Club Berlin-Brandenburg are also participating. In explaining its investment decision, IBB Ventures cites, among other things, the fact that the concept has already been validated using a flight-ready model.

“We were inspired by the vision of low-emission flying, impressed by the team’s expertise and experience, and convinced by their structured approach, which included an initial validation with a flight-ready model,” says Investment Director Stephan Schulze. With this investment, the investor also sees a connection to Berlin’s historical significance as a hub for aviation development.

Startup Founded in Berlin in 2025

AERLIN was founded in 2025 by Alexander Erdmann, Alexander Wojczik, and Michail Kortt and is headquartered in Berlin. With the completion of the seed round, the company’s structure is also being expanded. Entrepreneur and startup expert Holger G. Weiss is taking over as chair of the advisory board.

AERLIN is thus positioning itself in an aviation market where various approaches to reducing emissions are currently being pursued. In addition to sustainable fuels and new propulsion systems, the efficiency of the airframe itself can also contribute to this effort. Lower energy consumption could be relevant regardless of which energy source or propulsion system is used in the long term.

However, the eFUEL GROUP’s investment indicates that AERLIN initially views synthetic fuels as part of this development as well. The company has not disclosed the amount of the seed funding. The next technological milestone, however, is clear: AERLIN must now adapt its concept—which has so far been tested in a model—to a passenger aircraft. If this step is successful, it could reveal the true potential of the flying wing architecture for smaller aircraft.