01
Lower empty mass
Materials and solutions to make the aircraft lighter: optimised structures and lighter composites.
Sponsors and partners
Why
support us?
Our mission is to push our limits every year and build ever more innovative, high-performing aircraft through creativity, determination and skill.
We want to work with the best companies in the field and give hands-on experience to the next generation of engineers, who get to know the companies of their future up close.
Our commitment and the skills we have built over the years have made us stand out at the Air Cargo Challenge: 5th of 34 teams in 2026, the best result in our history.
Your logo on our drone
As a sponsor, your logo flies on our race drone, with us at international competitions and official team events. Supporting LiftUP means contributing to technological innovation and to training future engineers.
For the next aircraft
What we’re looking for
02
Lightweight batteries
High-discharge LiPo and Li-ion cells, smart BMS, custom 3S–4S packs under 400 g.
03
Electronics and sensors
Flight controllers, custom ESCs, precision sensors and low-power telemetry.
Midnight’s sponsors and partners · ACC 2026
Who
supports us
Main partner
Composites since 1986
Since Kowalsky, all the carbon parts of our aircraft have been laminated with Compositex.
Technical partners
Sponsors
Supported by
Compositex
Since 1986 it has been a supplier and partner to major automotive and aerospace brands.
A leader in composite manufacturing, specialised in complex structural parts: from industrialisation to delivery, from tooling to surface treatments and final inspection, under a quality system certified to international standards. Since Kowalsky, all the carbon parts of our aircraft have been laminated with Compositex.
Altair
Engineering simulation software. We used Altair FlightStream for Midnight’s aerodynamics.
Vector Robotics
Founded in 2020 to focus its founders’ decades of know-how on solar-powered UAS. Previously, as Airvision, it was the first company in Italy to design and mass-produce civil drones, both multirotor and fixed-wing, earning ENAC design certification for the N16EVO.
Carùs Composites
Specialised in designing and producing high-performance composites, especially carbon-fibre parts for aerospace, automotive, marine and sport.
With over ten years of experience in composites, it develops custom solutions with its clients and holds AS9100 accreditation for aerospace production. Its approach focuses on sustainability, lower emissions and eco-friendly materials.
CN-Models
Founded in 2012 out of a passion for gliders and RC flight. Its managing partners are Ukrainian national team F3J/F5J pilots Sergii and Aleksandr Petrenko.
Since 2012 it has produced Carboweave®, a special carbon fabric used by builders in more than 40 countries. It developed the Optimus F3J/F5J and Sensor F5J gliders, plus accessories and components for RC.
3Digital
An Italian store specialised in drones, 3D printers and digital technologies for consumers and businesses: consumer and enterprise drones, filament, resin and industrial 3D printers, scanners and accessories, with advice and support before and after purchase.
Red Devils model aircraft club
Founded in 1994 by a group of model aircraft enthusiasts. It is known for meticulous replicas of aircraft from the World Wars; part of the group focuses on gliding.
Their philosophy: respect, good manners, fairness and safety first. They fly on weekends and holidays: aerotowing, helicopters and both electric and glow-powered aircraft.
Mr Watt
An Italian company committed to sustainability and energy efficiency: it designs and builds custom photovoltaic modules, bespoke solar panels and integrated energy systems, from homes to large plants and electric mobility.
It supported the CUPID project with a significant discount on SunPower solar cells and accessories.
Genasun
A leader in high-efficiency power conversion, it builds ultra-light MPPT controllers for applications where weight, reliability and efficiency are critical: long-endurance solar missions, high-endurance drones, ocean buoys. Its GV-5 controller reaches a peak efficiency of 99.85%.
It supported the CUPID project with a significant discount on the GV-5 MPPT controller.
AeroTunnel
A closed-circuit wind tunnel with two test sections, located in Gorizia, Friuli Venezia Giulia. Born for aerospace, it has broadened its horizons to the marine, industrial, sports and civil sectors, supporting companies in aerodynamic design and validation with traditional precision instrumentation and innovative measurement techniques.
Want to support
our next aircraft?
Get in touch: we’ll send you our sponsor presentation and find the right package together.