Aircraft aerodynamic and aerostructural optimizationprimary
2 projects
Central to both IMPACT (rear end/empennage optimization) and ELICA (electric commuter aircraft design).
Organization
SMARTUP ENGINEERING SRL
Italian aerospace engineering SME specializing in aircraft simulation, aerodynamic optimization, and environmental sustainability assessment for next-generation aviation.
Engineering firmtransportITSMENo active H2020 projectsThin data (2/5)
H2020 projects
3
As coordinator
0
Total EC funding
€395K
Unique partners
20
What they do
Their core work
SmartUp Engineering is a Naples-based engineering SME specializing in aerospace simulation, aerodynamic optimization, and environmental assessment for next-generation aircraft. Their work spans electric aircraft design, icing protection systems, and life cycle analysis of aviation technologies. They provide computational engineering services — including 3D numerical simulation, aerostructural optimization, and sustainability assessments — to Clean Sky and other European aviation research programs. Their projects consistently address the shift toward greener, electrified aviation.
Core expertise
What they specialise in
Electric and hybrid aircraft designprimary
2 projects
ELICA focused on electric commuter aircraft; GENESIS assessed electric aircraft systems including battery and fuel cell technologies.
Environmental sustainability and life cycle assessment for aviationsecondary
1 project
GENESIS project focused on LCA, life cycle inventories, and technology foresight for electric aircraft systems.
Icing simulation and anti-ice technologiessecondary
1 project
IMPACT included 3D ice accretion numerical simulation and anti-ice coatings/devices for large passenger aircraft.
Hydrogen and fuel cell systems for aviationemerging
1 project
GENESIS covered hydrogen production and storage alongside fuel cell technology assessment for aircraft applications.
Evolution & trajectory
How they've shifted over time
Early focus
Electric aircraft design
Recent focus
Aviation sustainability assessment
All three of SmartUp Engineering's H2020 projects fall within a narrow 2019–2021 window, so the evolution is compressed but visible. Their earliest project (ELICA, 2019) focused on electric aircraft configuration design, while later projects expanded into anti-icing aerodynamics (IMPACT, 2020) and environmental sustainability assessment (GENESIS, 2021). The trajectory shows a broadening from pure aerodynamic engineering toward sustainability evaluation and alternative propulsion systems — reflecting the aviation sector's own shift toward decarbonization.
SmartUp is moving from component-level aerodynamic optimization toward whole-system environmental assessment of future aircraft, positioning them at the intersection of engineering simulation and green aviation.
Collaboration profile
How they like to work
Role: specialist_contributorReach: European10 countries collaborated
SmartUp Engineering participates exclusively as a consortium partner, never as coordinator, which is typical for a specialized engineering SME contributing technical depth rather than project management. With 20 unique partners across 10 countries from just 3 projects, they work in large Clean Sky-type consortia and do not appear to repeat partners frequently. This suggests they are sought out for specific technical capabilities and can integrate smoothly into diverse international teams.
Despite only three projects, SmartUp has collaborated with 20 distinct partners across 10 countries, reflecting the large consortium structure of Clean Sky Joint Technology Initiative projects. Their network is pan-European with no visible geographic concentration beyond their Italian base.
Why partner with them
What sets them apart
SmartUp Engineering occupies a niche that combines computational aerospace simulation with environmental sustainability assessment — a rare dual capability for a small company. While many aerospace SMEs focus purely on structural or aerodynamic analysis, SmartUp bridges engineering optimization and life cycle assessment, making them valuable for projects that must demonstrate both technical performance and environmental impact. Their Clean Sky track record, though modest in project count, shows consistent selection into competitive JTI calls.
Notable projects
Highlights from their portfolio
- ELICALargest single funding (EUR 153,500) and their earliest H2020 project, focused on electric commuter aircraft — a high-visibility topic in European aviation research.
- GENESISRepresents their expansion into sustainability and hydrogen/fuel cell assessment, signaling a strategic move beyond pure aerodynamic engineering.
- IMPACTCombines anti-icing technology with aerodynamic optimization for large passenger aircraft — directly applicable to current commercial aviation challenges.
Cross-sector capabilities
energy — hydrogen production, storage, and fuel cell systemsenvironment — life cycle assessment and environmental impact analysismanufacturing — computational simulation and structural optimization methods
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