OnStartups

Autonomous, Hydrogen-Powered Airships - Interview with Kelluu CEO Janne Hietala

The EU Startups podcast featured Janne Hietala, CEO of Finnish airship startup Kelloo, which recently closed a €15 million funding round to commercialise autonomous, hydrogen‑powered lighter‑than‑air (LTA) vehicles. Hietala explained that the company’s mission is to deliver persistent, low‑cost aerial platforms for both civilian data gathering and defence‑grade surveillance, leveraging modern autonomy and AI. Kelloo differentiates itself by solving two historic challenges: safety and scalability. While early airships suffered high‑profile accidents, modern designs use non‑flammable hydrogen fuel cells and robust envelope engineering, eliminating the Hindenburg stigma. More importantly, the firm has engineered a modular, mass‑manufacturable airframe that can be produced at scale—an obstacle that has stalled most LTA startups. Integrated AI‑driven navigation allows the craft to operate in GNSS‑denied, high‑wind, and arctic conditions, meeting stringent European defence requirements. Hietala drew parallels to past milestones, noting that the last US Navy airship was retired in 2017 and that today’s breakthrough mirrors SpaceX’s Starlink model: a once‑niche concept made viable through volume production and software. He highlighted dual‑use applications, from monitoring forest fires and infrastructure to providing rapid‑response ISR for NATO allies, underscoring Finland’s strategic location just 60 km from the Russian border. If Kelloo’s approach succeeds, it could reshape aerial data acquisition, offering a cheaper, greener alternative to satellites and drones while delivering persistent coverage for both commercial and security missions. The technology promises to accelerate Europe’s defence readiness and support sustainability goals, positioning Finland as a hub for next‑generation autonomous air platforms.