Avel Robotics
French manufacturer of high-performance composite parts using Automated Fiber Placement (AFP) technology, specializing in hydrofoils for ocean racing and expanding into aerospace, defense, and maritime transport.
- CEO / Founder
- Luc Talbourdet
- Team Size
- 11-50
- Stage
- Growth Stage
Technology & Products
Key Products
AFP-manufactured composite parts: hydrofoils for IMOCA racing yachts; rudders and composite structures for ocean racing; structural composite components for aerospace (wings, structural parts); wind propulsion components for maritime transport (SolidSail mast); defense composite parts
Differentiation
Value Proposition
Industrializes AFP (Automated Fiber Placement) technology — traditionally used in aerospace — to manufacture high-performance composite parts for marine, aerospace, and defense markets with superior precision, repeatability, and reduced environmental impact.
How They Differentiate
First company to apply AFP (Automated Fiber Placement) technology to offshore racing hydrofoils; proprietary "4D composite" approach combining digital design, robotic AFP manufacturing, and in-process quality analysis; significantly lower carbon footprint (30%+ reduction vs. hand layup); ability to produce complex-shaped, dynamically-loaded composite parts with serial repeatability.
Market & Competition
Target Customers
Offshore racing teams (IMOCA class); aerospace OEMs (AURA AERO, ArianeGroup, Dassault Aviation, Airbus Atlantic, Safran); maritime transport (Chantiers de l'Atlantique); defense (Naval Group)
Industry Verticals
Marine/Offshore Racing; Aerospace; Defense; Maritime Transport; Renewable Energy
Competitors
Coriolis Composites (France — AFP equipment manufacturer and partner); CDK Technologies (France — composite parts for marine); Multiplast (France — large composite structures)
Growth & Milestones
Growth Metrics
Revenue: ~€2.7M (2022), doubled from prior year; Team: 28 employees (2022), up from 14; 35+ employees (2025); 1 out of 2 new IMOCA boats have Avel foils
Major Milestones
2017: Company founded by Luc Talbourdet and Adrien Marchandise; 2019: ISO 9001 certification; 2019: First AFP-manufactured IMOCA foils win Jacques Vabre Trans-Atlantic Race on Apivia; 2020: Diversification into maritime transport with Chantiers de l'Atlantique; 2022: Revenue doubled to €2.7M, team grew from 14 to 28; 2023: First aerospace parts delivered; 2025: Major industrial scale-up — workshop expansion, new AFP robot, large curing oven, machining equipment; 2026: Signed development contract with AURA AERO for ERA hybrid-electric aircraft; Bordeaux office opened
Notable Customers
IMOCA racing teams (Apivia, L'Occitane); Chantiers de l'Atlantique; AURA AERO; Naval Group; ArianeGroup; Dassault Aviation; Airbus Atlantic; Safran