HyLight secures thirteen million euros to turn four hydrogen airships into a fleet
HyLight, a French startup that inspects critical infrastructure with autonomous hydrogen-powered airships, raised thirteen million euros in October 2026 from Rubio Impact Ventures, DRW and Teampact Ventures, joined by existing investors Y Combinator and Ring Capital. Founded in 2022, the company flies four aircraft today for Enedis, NaTran, Téréga, VINCI and SNCF Réseau, and targets up to fifteen operating simultaneously in 2027.
The round serves a stated destination rather than whatever demand shouted loudest. Martin Bocken, co-founder and chief executive, describes it as the step from four aircraft to a fleet. The spending plan follows that line: fifty new hires, a new production facility, Germany and the Netherlands as priority markets, and engineering, software, AI and field operations kept under one roof.
Source: EU-Startups · October 12, 2026