Case Study: Funding & Growth Support for Braeron’s SkyTiller – Hydrogen-Powered Agricultural Drone

1. Project Overview

• Client: Braeron (now SkyTiller)
• Project Name: SkyTiller – Hydrogen-Powered Industrial Drone for Precision Agriculture
• Location: Latvia & Global Expansion
• Funding Secured: EU grants for R&D and innovation in sustainable agriculture
• Objective: Develop an industrial-scale drone using hydrogen hybrid propulsion for precision aerial spraying, real-time crop analysis, and large-scale agricultural automation​​.

2. Challenges & Needs

SkyTiller aimed to revolutionize agricultural technology by replacing traditional ground-based and inefficient aerial spraying methods with a hydrogen-powered UAV. The key challenges included:

• Market Positioning & Funding Application: Aligning the project with EU funding priorities in clean energy and agritech​.
• Technical Articulation: Clearly defining the advantages of hydrogen propulsion vs. conventional battery-powered drones​.
• Regulatory & Certification Challenges: Navigating aviation regulations and obtaining certification for heavy-lift commercial drones​.
• Investment & Commercial Viability: Preparing investor materials to attract early adopters and funding partners​.

3. Our Approach & Solution

Business Strategy & Diagnostic Phase

Freshmango worked closely with Braeron to articulate and refine the project’s scope, innovation, and impact. Key steps included:

• Project Structuring & Narrative Development: Clarifying SkyTiller’s value proposition and its impact on agricultural efficiency, sustainability, and cost savings​.
• Innovation Positioning: Highlighting the competitive edge of hydrogen-powered UAVs compared to battery-operated drones, focusing on longer flight times, higher payloads, and environmental benefits​.
• Business Readiness & Feasibility Analysis: Conducting a diagnostic report evaluating SkyTiller’s Technology Readiness Level (TRL) and Business Readiness Level (BRL) using AI-driven funding research tools​.
• Regulatory Guidance & Certification Roadmap: Advising on aviation compliance and regulatory processes for hydrogen-powered UAVs​.

FundAI Screening & Application Support

We utilized AI-driven funding screening to match SkyTiller with the most relevant EU grants and financial instruments, including:

• Horizon Europe funding applications tailored to hydrogen innovation and sustainable agriculture​.
• Strategic grant writing, ensuring a compelling case for clean energy adoption, technological disruption, and economic scalability​.
• Investor & Partner Outreach: Developing a pitch deck to communicate the financial and operational viability of SkyTiller​.
• Support with business plan & budgeting for grant evaluators, ensuring all funding criteria were met​.

Post-Funding Implementation Support

Once funding was secured, we assisted Braeron with:

• Market Entry Strategy: Identifying strategic partners and customers in Latvia, Spain, Brazil, Argentina, and the GCC region​.
• Technology Development Planning: Helping refine the roadmap for hydrogen propulsion integration​.
• Investor Relations & Stakeholder Engagement: Creating updates and reports for funding bodies and investors​.

4. Results & Impact

• Successfully secured EU funding for hydrogen propulsion R&D​.
• Developed a working prototype of a hybrid hydrogen-powered agricultural drone, capable of carrying up to 200 kg and flying for over 300 km​.
• Positioned SkyTiller as a market leader in green aerial farming solutions, with global interest from agricultural service providers​.
• Reduced reliance on lithium-ion batteries, promoting sustainable, emission-free drone operations​.

5. Key Takeaways & Lessons Learned

• Early strategic planning in funding applications significantly increases success rates.
• Aligning the project with EU priorities in sustainability and innovation maximizes funding potential.
• Combining technical expertise with strong business storytelling enhances investor and grant approval.

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