Zeleros

Zeleros

Type	Private
ISIN	🆔
Industry	Transportation, Batteries, Engineering, R&D
Founded 📆	November 24, 2016 (2016-11-24) in Valencia, Spain
Founders 👔	David Pistoni, Daniel Orient, Juan Vicén
Area served 🗺️
Key people	David Pistoni (CEO), Luis Navarro (COO), Juan Vicén (VP Institutional)
Members
Number of employees
🌐 Website	zeleros.com
📇 Address
📞 telephone

Zeleros is a Spanish deep‑tech company headquartered in Cuenca (Castilla-La Mancha, Spain, Europe), specializing in integrated electric and automated mobility systems for hyperloop transportation, port logistics automation, and advanced energy powertrains. Since its founding by the Hyperloop UPV team in 2016, Zeleros has grown into a diversified platform engineering provider with significant public and industrial backing, active plans in Hyperloop standardization, and new dual-use product lines aligned with European strategic autonomy goals.

History and Growth

Zeleros was founded after Zeleros’ founders won recognition in the 2016 SpaceX Hyperloop Pod Competition as part of Hyperloop UPV. In early years, funding from entities like the startup incubator of Spanish billionaire businessman and Mercadona President, Juan Roig, EIT Climate-KIC, Universitat Politècnica de València and NTT Data's Everis Foundation provided early support. In 2019–20, it secured seed capital from American venture capital firm Plug & Play Tech Center, Angels Capital, MBHA Group, and Capgemini-Altran, before expanding into strategic partnerships with ACCIONA, CAF, Elewit's Redeia EIT InnoEnergy between 2020-22. In 2024–25, Zeleros raised €2.5 million through CDTI Innovación / Innvierte (Spanish Ministry of Science) for expanded pilot programs. It established new engineering facilities in Castilla-La Mancha to meet scale-up objectives while maintaining operations in Valencia.

Technology Overview

Hyperloop Vehicle Architecture

Zeleros’ vehicle-centric hyperloop design integrates propulsion, levitation, braking, and power electronics onboard. The system aims for commercial speeds of over 500 km/h on long-distance corridors, while minimizing infrastructure complexity by leveraging existing railway corridors and aligning with interoperable aviation standards. The company has validated several critical subsystems including a high-efficiency linear motor, an active magnetic levitation and guidance system, aerodynamic propulsion, and a megawatt-class electric powertrain, tested in scaled demonstrators such as those deployed in the Port of Sagunto and in laboratory environments.

Switched Reluctance Linear Motors (SRLMs)

SRLMs are central to Zeleros’ dual-use propulsion strategy. These motors:

• Achieve higher electrical efficiency than linear induction motors (LIMs).

• Avoid reliance on neodymium magnets or superconductors.

• Offer robustness, modular design, and lower maintenance.

Geostrategically, SRLM-based systems reduce critical raw material dependencies—especially rare-earth magnets mainly procured from China—making them attractive to governments and industry in Europe, India, Türkiye, and Saudi Arabia.

Battery and Powertrain Systems

As part of its expanded focus on high-performance electric mobility, Zeleros has developed two modular powertrain platforms: Latitude and Azimut. Latitude is a scalable battery pack system engineered for high-power applications in off-road, logistics and rail sectors, offering voltages up to 800 V and configurations from 5 to 100 kWh. Azimut is a compact, high-efficiency powertrain platform delivering up to 350 kW, optimized for rugged environments and integration with advanced propulsion systems like those used in hyperloop. These systems are part of Zeleros' dual-use strategy, bridging innovations between next-generation mobility and industrial applications, and are designed for applications including drones, robotics, rail-bogies, and electrified transport corridors at sea, air and ground level.

Major Projects

Electromagnetic Launcher Demonstrator - HyperTrack Sagunto (Port of Sagunto)

Zeleros and CIEMAT launched a 100 m test track in 2022 to validate SRLM-based freight automation. Marketed as the SELF (Sustainable ELectric Freight-forwarder) product line, it enables sustainable container transfer in ports. Energy usage, thrust performance, and logistics workflows were validated under operational load conditions. A scalable launcher system developed to simulate hyperloop acceleration phases, featuring integrated control, modular power electronics, and launch profiles suitable for logistics or UAV systems.

Hyperloop Standardization & EU Collaboration

Active participant in EU-funded projects such as HYPERNEX (Shift2Rail) and the Hyperloop Development Program. Zeleros contributes to standardization efforts under CEN-CENELEC JTC-20 Hyperloop Systems as well as the UNE CTN-326 and policy alignment initiatives led by the European Commission's DG Move. Zeleros is part of the Hyper4Rail consortia that aims to create an harmonized hyperloop concept for Europe, funded by Europe's Rail Joint Undertaking.

Battery Design and Production in Europe: Battera Joint Venture

In April 2024, Zeleros co-founded a new joint venture called Battera alongside the Basque industrial firms Lazpiur and KL katealegaia. The initiative focuses on the design, prototyping, and flexible industrialization of battery modules and packs for a wide range of niche mobility sectors. These include micro‑mobility, rail, aerospace, maritime, last‑mile delivery, and stationary energy storage.

Battera initially operates out of a 1,500 m² facility located at Katealegaia’s premises in Irún, Gipuzkoa, and plans to expand into a dedicated 4,000 m² factory within two years. The company provides full lifecycle support—from early-stage prototyping and validation to series production and after-sales services—while maintaining flexibility to work with multiple cell formats and chemistries.

The project is supported by regional innovation programs including Ekintzaile (Eusko Jaurlaritza) and the Diputación Foral de Gipuzkoa. By 2026, Battera aims to generate €7 million in revenue and create around 50 qualified jobs. The initiative was presented at several key European industry events, including the Battery Show Europe in Milan and Stuttgart, and the MUBIL Mobility Expo in Irún. Battera is also open to welcoming new institutional and industrial partners in future capital rounds.

Investors and Funding

Zeleros has secured a range of public and private investment rounds since its foundation in 2016, supporting the development of its hyperloop technology and complementary high-performance transport systems.

Early-stage investment (2016–2018)

Zeleros received its initial funding from Spanish angel investors, including Angels Capital (part of Marina de Empresas promoted by businessman Juan Roig), and other stakeholders from the Valencian entrepreneurial ecosystem.

This early capital enabled the company to establish its technical team and to develop its first proof-of-concept prototypes, earning international recognition such as the Everis Foundation Award in 2017.

Private funding round (2020)

In June 2020, Zeleros closed a major private investment round of approximately €7 million, led by:

• Capgemini Engineering (formerly known as Altran)
• Elewit Redeia (formerly known as Red Eléctrica de España)
• Plug and Play Tech Center (USA)
• Angels Capital
• Goldacre Ventures (UK)
• Road Ventures (Switzerland)
• MBHA Group

This round came along with additional private investors and enabled Zeleros to scale its engineering and testing capabilities and strengthen its global network of partners.

Strategic industrial investment round (2021)

In July 2021, Zeleros announced a strategic investment round backed by major infrastructure and mobility firms:

• ACCIONA**
• CAF (Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles)
• EIT InnoEnergy**, the EU-supported innovation platform in sustainable energy.

This partnership aimed to accelerate the industrialization and European integration of the hyperloop system by leveraging these companies’ expertise in infrastructure, railway systems, and clean energy.

Regional technology investment (2023)

In 2023, Zeleros also secured investment from Impulse Tech, a deeptech investment vehicle based in the region of Castilla-La Mancha to accelerate the industrialization of high-performance electric mobility systems, including linear propulsion and energy storage solutions for both hyperloop and off-road applications.

Public-private capital injection (2024)

In October 2024, Zeleros secured an additional €2.5 million in a public-private capital round supported by:

• CDTI (Centro para el Desarrollo Tecnológico y la Innovación) via the Innvierte program.
• ELEWIT (innovation platform of Red Eléctrica Group)
• EIT InnoEnergy

The funding focused on deploying pilot projects, strengthening the company’s operations and R&D in Castilla-La Mancha, and accelerating the commercialization of its batteries and high-performance transport systems.

Public Funding Projects

Zeleros has garnered major public funding through high-impact R&D initiatives supporting hyperloop subsystems, port automation, battery platforms, and advanced propulsion. Highlights include:

• SELF‑Booster / Sustainable Electric Freight‑forwarder (Eurostars CDTI; 2021–2023) – A consortium led by Zeleros and Polish partner Magneto, co‑financed by CDTI (Spain) and NCBR (Poland), to build a linear‑motor test track at Port of Sagunto. Demonstrated automated container mover technology based on Switched Reluctance Linear Motor (SRLM), aligning with Green Deal goals for decarbonized logistics.

• FUTUREPACK (PERTE‑VEC; 2022–2027) – Led by EV Motors (EBRO), major NextGenerationEU-funded initiative under Spain's electric vehicle electrification strategy. Zeleros leads development of high‑performance modular battery packs serving hyperloop, high‑power logistics, and industrial segments. .

• SCALE (CDTI CPP; 2022–2025) – The SwitChed reluctAnce Linear motor for Electric ultra‑high‑speed project supports Zeleros in industrializing its SRLM core propulsion system.

• APERTURAS (CDTI PTA; 2022–2025) – A project developing electric propulsion using turbomachinery for hyperloop traction. Zeleros' role is in the prototype integration and industrial mobility applications.

• HL-POWERTRAIN (AVI Strategic Cooperation; 2021–2023) – Zeleros coordinated this project to develop and integrate a high-power electric powertrain system for hyperloop propulsion, combining a jet-based compressor and electric drivetrain. Co-funded by the Agència Valenciana de la Innovació (AVI).

• LEVIATAN (IVACE CREATEC-CV; 2021–2022) – This project involved the development of a large-scale electromagnetic levitation demonstrator. Zeleros received regional funding from IVACE to validate critical hyperloop levitation technology at relevant scale.

• HYPERNEX (Shift2Rail / H2020; 2020–2022) – Participated in the pan-European program to ignite hyperloop ecosystem development. Zeleros contributed to early standardization and multi‑site testing efforts.
• Hyper4Rail (Europe’s Rail Joint Undertaking; 2025–2027) – Zeleros is a core partner in this strategic European initiative, funded by the EU under the Europe’s Rail programme, aimed at defining a harmonized roadmap for the industrialization of hyperloop. The project is coordinated by the Hyperloop Development Program and involves over 30 public and private organizations, reflecting broad cross-sector alignment. Key institutional participants include national rail infrastructure and innovation agencies such as Rete Ferroviaria Italiana (RFI), Italferr, Hellenic Train, TÜBİTAK RUTE (Turkey), the Norwegian Railway Directorate (Jernbanedirektoratet), and the Plataforma Ferroviária Portuguesa (PFP). Other collaborators include hyperloop developers, as well as research and engineering institutes like KTH Royal Institute of Technology, TU Delft, Institute of Hyperloop Technology (Germany),EuroTube Foundation (Switzerland), and engineering firms such as TÜV Rheinland, ARUP, and GESTE Engineering. The project underscores a coordinated European approach to ensure cross-border interoperability and regulatory consistency for future ultra-high-speed ground transport systems.

These projects collectively represent over €8 million in direct public funding to Zeleros, embedded within programs totaling above €23 million in collaborative R&D efforts. Industry and academic partners include CIEMAT, ITP Aero, Valenciaport Foundation, and leading European engineering institutes.

The diversity of funding origins reinforces the multi-level public commitment to Zeleros' innovations. At the regional level, institutions include the Agencia Valenciana de la Innovación (AVI), the Instituto Valenciano de Competitividad Empresarial (IVACE), and the Instituto Valenciano de Finanzas (IVF). At the national level, funding has been provided by the Centro para el Desarrollo Tecnológico y la Innovación (CDTI), the Agencia Estatal de Investigación (AEI), and the Spanish Ministry of Industry and Tourism through programs like PERTE-VEC. At the European level, support has come from the European Innovation Council (EIC), the Eurostars Programme, the Shift2Rail Joint Undertaking, and the Europe’s Rail Joint Undertaking. Collectively, these institutions reflect Spain and Europe’s strategic backing for next-generation, sustainable, and technologically sovereign mobility.

Collaborations and Partnerships

Zeleros collaborates with a broad network of public institutions, industrial partners, and hyperloop ecosystem organizations, underscoring its role in advancing high-speed, sustainable transport technologies.

Public & Industrial Partners

Zeleros has developed strategic partnerships with key Spanish and European institutions:

• CIEMAT – Spain’s national research centre; co-developed HyperTrack Sagunto and collaborated on SRLM testing and energy systems validation.
• Valenciaport Foundation – Signed a cooperation agreement to deploy hyperloop-based container mover systems for port efficiency and sustainability.
• ArcelorMittal – Co-engineering selection and testing of steel grades suitable for ultra-high-speed vehicles and infrastructure, including electromagnetically guided rails used in the Sagunto pilot.
• Renfe – Collaborated via TrenLab to support mobility innovation and integration with national rail ecosystems.
• ITP Aero - Zeleros collaborates with ITP Aero, a leading Spanish aerospace company, to explore synergies in advanced propulsion systems, lightweight materials, and dual-use technologies applicable to both hyperloop and strategic mobility platforms.

Hyperloop Network Partners

Zeleros plays a central role in European hyperloop innovation alongside other ecosystem leaders:

• Hyperloop Development Program (HDP) – Public–private consortium that connects key testing facilities and standardization initiatives across Europe. Zeleros joined HDP in 2023 to harmonize testing at both the Groningen (Netherlands) and Sagunto (Spain) sites.
• Hardt Hyperloop – Dutch hyperloop pioneer; in Oct 2023 Zeleros signed a MoU to strengthen technology convergence, interoperability, and joint testing roadmaps.
• Institute of Hyperloop Technologies (Emden/Leer, Germany) – Collaborative partner in the HDP network and host facility for joint trials.
• EuroTube Foundation (Switzerland) – EuroTube’s vacuum infrastructure is linked to HDP and facilitates cross-testing with Zeleros and other partners.
• Neoways (Munich, Germany) – Spin-off of Technical University Munich, it collaborates through HDP standardization and mobility planning efforts, with an emphasis on data infrastructure and testing.

Global Standards & Policy Engagement

Zeleros actively supports cross-border policy alignment by collaborating with governments and agencies in Europe, India, and Saudi Arabia for planning strategic mobility corridors, port-based logistics systems, and dual-use infrastructure deployment. These engagements focus on interoperability, regulatory frameworks, and combined civil-defense uses of hyperloop and energy systems.

Dual‑Use, Emergency Response & Strategic Resilience

Zeleros’ core technology—linear electric propulsion (particularly switched reluctance linear motors), modular high‑voltage battery systems, and advanced power electronics—is increasingly valued for both civil and defense applications. Its platform-based approach aligns with Europe's strategic autonomy goals and the dual‑use vision promoted under programs like the European Defence Fund (EDF; ca. €8 billion/year) and the ReArm Europe initiative, which aims to mobilize up to €800 billion in public procurement and innovation funding through to 2030.

Defense & Mobility Applications

The modular nature and rare-earth‑free design of Zeleros' switched reluctance linear motors make them well-suited for dual-use launch applications—such as electromagnetic drone and aircraft launch from naval platforms or rapid-deployment transport systems. These motors deliver high thrust-to-weight ratios, precise control, and reduced logistical vulnerabilities associated with neodymium magnet supply chains, ensuring independence from Chinese-dominated tiers. EDF and national agencies across France, Germany, Spain, and others are supporting SME innovation in drone capabilities and autonomous logistics through targeted grants and drone-specific calls.

Emergency Power & Climate Resilience

In response to rising climate-related grid disruptions—caused by wildfires, floods, extreme heatwaves, and cyber outages—Europe is investing in decentralized energy resilience. Zeleros’ battery and powertrain systems are suitable for rapidly deployable microgrid modules and UPS deployments that can power critical infrastructure during outages. Modular energy storage with smart power conversion enables seamless transition to islanded mode and supports mission-critical facilities such as hospitals, shelters, and military bases.

Engineering Expertise & Rapid Deployment

Zeleros’ multidisciplinary teams—from aerospace, power electronics, materials science, automation, and AI—have demonstrated the ability to deliver working prototypes under accelerated timelines (e.g., HyperTrack Sagunto in less than 18 months). This readiness is critical in both defense procurement cycles and emergency deployment scenarios, where rapid system integration and validation are key to operational effectiveness.

By bridging mobility, energy independence, and disaster resilience, Zeleros exemplifies European dual‑use innovation that aligns with both economic and security goals.

Awards and Recognition

Since its founding, Zeleros has received numerous national and international awards recognizing its innovation in sustainable mobility, hyperloop development, and entrepreneurship. Below is a comprehensive list of notable recognitions:

• Top Design Concept Award - SpaceX Hyperloop Pod Competition (Jan 2016): As the Hyperloop UPV team, Zeleros' founders won the Top Design Concept Award at Elon Musk’s first Hyperloop Pod Competition hosted by SpaceX in College Station, Texas.
• International Award - Everis Foundation (Nov 2017): Winner of the international prize for innovation and social impact by Fundación Everis, Spain.

• National Award - Yuzz Santander "Best Startup" (Nov 2017): Awarded by Banco Santander for entrepreneurial excellence among young innovators in Spain.

• Regional Award - Top Startup VLC (Mar 2018): Special award at the Valencia Startup Awards, recognizing Zeleros as a leading local startup.

• National Award - Climate-KIC Spain Acceleration Program (Apr 2018): Selected among the top clean-tech startups by Climate-KIC, part of the EIT.

• International Award - Top 3 Startup at Movin’On (Michelin) Canada (May 2018): Recognized among the world’s top 3 startups in sustainable mobility at Movin’On in Montréal, Canada.

• Local Prize - Investors’ Day Valencia Activa (Jun 2018): Awarded during the city's startup and investor forum.

• International Recognition - Top 10 Smart Mobility Startups by Plug and Play (Oct 2018): Selected by Plug and Play Tech Center for the Smart Cities & Mobility Winter Batch.

• National Award - Top 5 Mobility Startups, South Summit Madrid (Oct 2018): Highlighted among Spain’s most promising mobility startups.

• Regional Award - 5U CV Best Startup Company (Oct 2018): Recognized by five Valencian public universities for innovation.

• National Award - RTVE Emprende (Oct 2018): Honored by Spain’s national broadcaster RTVE as one of the country’s most innovative startups.

• International Award - IRU World Congress, Oman (Nov 2018): Winner of the Global Startup Competition at the International Road Transport Union (IRU) Congress in Muscat, Oman.

• National Award - Renfe TrenLab Accelerator Winner (Jan 2019): Selected by Spain’s national railway company Renfe as a winner in its innovation accelerator.

• European Recognition - Top 50, European Startup Prize for Mobility (Feb 2019): Chosen as one of the top 50 mobility startups by the European Commission-backed program.

• International Recognition - SET100 by Startup Energy Transition (Germany) (Apr 2019): Included in the global SET100 list of energy and mobility startups.

• International Award - Young Green Tech Global Award (China) (Jul 2019): Winner of the innovation award in Guangzhou for green tech startups.

• European Award - EIT Innoveit Venture Nominee (Top 5) (Sept 2019): Finalist for the EIT Public Award, supported by the European Institute of Innovation & Technology.
• Forbes 30 Under 30 – Europe, Industry Category (2020): Zeleros’ co-founders David Pistoni, Daniel Orient, and Juan Vicén were featured in Forbes' 30 Under 30 Europe list in the "Industry" category, recognizing young leaders driving innovation in engineering and mobility.

• Gold Winner - European Startup Prize for Mobility (Oct 2022): Zeleros was awarded first place in the European Startup Prize for Mobility, backed by the European Parliament and European Commission, recognizing the most promising clean mobility startups in Europe.
• Most Disruptive Startup - South Summit Madrid (Jun 2022): Chosen as the most disruptive startup among over 100 finalists at Spain’s premier international entrepreneurship event, South Summit, highlighting Zeleros’ technological breakthrough in transport.
• iF Design Award – Professional Concept (Hyperloop capsule) (2023): Recognized at Berlin by the prestigious iF Design organization for outstanding technical and aesthetic design of Zeleros' Hyperloop vehicle prototype.

See also

• Hyperloop
• European Hyperloop Week
• SpaceX Hyperloop Pod Competition
• Sustainable transport

External links

• Official Zeleros website
• HyperTrack Sagunto summary
• Zeleros joins Hyperloop Development Program

References

This article "Zeleros" is from Wikipedia. The list of its authors can be seen in its historical and/or the page Edithistory:Zeleros. Articles copied from Draft Namespace on Wikipedia could be seen on the Draft Namespace of Wikipedia and not main one.

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