The story of Flying Fish

We founded Flying Fish in 2019, but our history begins years before...

August 2013
The brothers Gerben and Johan join the TU Delft Solar Boat Team, where they build a hydrofoiling solar powered boat with future team members Gijsbert and Gijs. The boat wins a Design Award for its radical two-wing configuration that steers like a bicycle.
Hydrofoiling solar boat from the TU Delft team with the award-winning two-wing hydrofoil configuraion
September 2015
Gijsbert meets future Flying Fish engineers Casper, Rijk, Thore and Lisanne at the new TU Delft Solar Boat Team. This team improves the "bicycle stability" and control systems of the new flying boat. The boat reaches a top speed of 55 km/h.
Hydrofoiling solar boat from the TU Delft team with the improved stability and control systems
September 2017
After their Solar Boat adventures, Johan and Gijsbert develop a model for the dynamical motions of a single-track hydrofoil boat with well-known bicycle researcher Arend Schwab. They win the International Mandles Prize for Hydrofoil Excellence while also graduating at TU Delft.

Lumio, previously called Foenix, was a social media analytics company that helped brands like Audi, David Jones and Red Balloon source legitimate influencers for social media campaigns.

Flying Fish team members Johan and Gijsbert win the International Mandles Prize for Hydrofoil Excellence
Augustus 2018
Things get serious: Johan and Gijsbert follow a course called Ready to StartUp and get in touch with Watertaxi Rotterdam. Watertaxi likes the idea of using data to optimize the business, so a team is quickly assembled to develop the Watertaxi Operations System.

Lumio, previously called Foenix, was a social media analytics company that helped brands like Audi, David Jones and Red Balloon source legitimate influencers for social media campaigns.

Flying Fish team members at the Watertaxi station in Rotterdam
November 2018
Johan and Gijsbert pitch their vision of hydrofoil design to the jury of the Dutch Maritime Designer Award and they win!
Flying Fish team member Gijsbert van Marrewijk wins the Dutch Martime Designer Award for hydrofoils
January 2019
🚀 FLYING FISH launches
With so many motivating events, Flying Fish is ready to go! FF is founded by Gerben, Johan, Gijsbert and Olivier. Together with Casper, Gijs, Rijk and Thore we form the initial core of this company. The fish are located in a dusty and dark former factory with broken windows, but we have great fun.

"The style of this logo is a combination of technology, nature, freedom and growth."

Sergej, designer of the Flying Fish corporate identity

May 2019
We deliver the first Flying Fish databox to Watertaxi Rotterdam. It was developed on a fancy desk previously used as dinner table at the student house of co-founder Gerben.
Flying Fish team members develop the databox for Watertaxi Rotterdam
July 2020
The Hydrofoil Education and Research Platform (HEARP) is designed for Delft University of Technology. With HEARP, students and researchers can test different hydrofoil control approaches.
Render of the Hydrofoil Education and Research Platform (HEARP) for the Delft University of Technology
December 2020
While dealing with the Covid lockdown, we grow to a team of 15 people. We are working on innovative projects for hydrofoils, software and propulsion.
Group picture of Flying Fish team members on a sailboat
Portrait picture of Flying Fish co-founder Gijsbert van Marrewijk

"No worries, this photo is taken after the 1.5m distance rule was canceled! Sadly we couldn't take team photos during the lockdown..."

Gijsbert, co-founder of Flying Fish

July 2021
After more than two years in the old factory, we sign a deal to move to the beautiful offices of Buccaneer Delft. We feel like a fish in water at this incubator for offshore & energy start-ups.
Flying Fish co-founders sign a deal for the offices at offshore & energy start-up incubator Buccaneer Delft
November 2021
The powerful SWIM hydrogen-electric propulsion system is integrated and tested in the Flying Fish workshop.

The name "Relume" is born.

Three Flying Fish team members working on the SWIM hydrogen-electric propulsion system at their workshop
February 2022
Our skilled team of software developers continues to improve the Watertaxi Operations System by launching a brand new app for customers of the water taxi.

The name "Relume" is born.

Flying Fish team member working on development of the Watertaxi Operations System customers app
August 2022
The SWIM hydrogen-electric water taxi is officially launched. From now on, it is in operation at Watertaxi Rotterdam
learn more about antler here
Picture of a Watertaxi operating in Rotterdam powered by the SWIM hydrogen-electric propulsion system
Portrait picture of Caroline Nagtegaal-Van Doorn, member of the European Parliament

"The world's first hydrogen water taxi. Just around the corner in Rotterdam!"

Caroline Nagtegaal-Van Doorn, Member of European Parliament

March 2023
Watertaxi Operations System has grown into a software package for managing a complete water taxi network, including a smart planning algorithm and in-app and onboard payments.
Watertaxi Rotterdam crew member working with the Watertaxi Operations System planning software
July 2023
We feel proud when the TU Delft Hydro Motion Team wins the world championship for zero-emission boats. Our engineers have supported the team with hydrofoil expertise, so that they could fly over the waves super fast with just a little bit of hydrogen power!
Picture of the TU Delft Hydro Motion Team hydrogen-powered zero-emission boat hydrofoiling in Monaco

"Flying Fish played a crucial role in our victory at the Monaco Energy Boat Challenge"

Frank Stapelbroek, Chief Engineer Hydro Motion Team 2023

January 2024
We launch the Flying Fish 1 project, a small hydrofoil demonstrator funded by a subsidy from the Rotterdam municipality.
Flying Fish team members look at a render of the Flying Fish 1 hydrofoil demonstrator boat
Portrait picture of Flying Fish co-founder Gijsbert van Marrewijk

“Flying Fish 1 allows us to test different combinations of motion for the electrically steered hydrofoils, so we know what makes the most robust and comfortable system on a full-scale vessel."

Gijsbert, co-founder of Flying Fish

february 2024
With partners in Hamburg, we analyse the best business case for a succesful water taxi network.
Two Flying Fish team members offer consultancy to business partners in Hamburg for a water taxi network
november 2024
The Flying Fish 1 hydrofoil boat is successfully demonstrated to the Rotterdam city government.
Alderman Chantal Zeegers takes the radio-controlled helm, proving firsthand how intuitive our hydrofoil control technology is. With just a few simple movements, anyone can fly.
Picture of the Flying Fish 1 hydrofoil demonstrator boat in operation
december 2024
To prove the unmatched stability of the Flying Fish 1, we place a full glass of champagne on the bow and execute sharp hydrofoiling turns. Not a drop is spilled. The video showcasing our ultra-smooth control system captures attention and is seen by many people.
iPad showing the Flying Fish logo
may 2025
We announced a minority investment from CPAC Systems AB, a subsidiary of the Volvo Group. CPAC Systems is specialized in developing advanced control and automation systems for marine, construction and commercial vehicle industries. For the Flying Fish team, this step marks the beginning of a broader strategic partnership aimed at accelerating sales growth, product innovation, industrialization, and team development.
Picture of Flying Fish co-founders signing for a minority investment from CPAC Systems AB
Portrait picture of Marcus Wingolf, CEO of CPAC Systems AB

“We’re proud to join forces with Flying Fish, a company pushing the boundaries of marine mobility. This investment reflects a strong synergy between our technological strengths and shared drive for sustainable innovation. Together, we see great potential to shape the future of connected and intelligent marine transport.”

Marcus Wingolf, CEO of CPAC Systems

THE FUTURE
Do you want to know what the future brings for Flying Fish?
Get in touch with us and find out.

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