GoAERO Celebrates Global Winners of Innovative Emergency Response Aircraft Challenge

GoAERO's Global Competition: Winners Revealed

On December 3, 2025, the GoAERO Prize announced the winners of its prestigious international competition, aimed at fostering innovative solutions for aerial emergency response. With a prize pool exceeding $2 million, the competition brought together teams from around the world to develop prototypes capable of responding to urgent situations, from natural disasters to medical emergencies.

The competition, which attracted participation from 201 teams across 85 countries, saw eight promising prototypes earn a place as finalists. Each winning team will receive $320,000 to further their designs, which represent crucial advances in emergency response technology. The financial support is not just a reward but a crucial stepping stone that enables these teams to refine their concepts and prepare for real-world applications.

The eight winning teams hail from different corners of the globe, showcasing a variety of innovative approaches:

- CraneAERO from Cranfield, UK
- Elevate from Delft, Netherlands
- Harmony from Texas, USA
- HORYZN from Munich, Germany
- LIFT + UT Austin/Texas Aerial Robotics from Texas, USA
- Rescue Pack from North Carolina, USA
- Soteria from Pennsylvania, USA
- VSDDL from Alabama, USA

These prototypes are not merely theoretical; they embody advanced technology designed for speed, agility, and autonomy. The future use of these aerial vehicles aims to significantly enhance rescue operations in diverse situations, including catastrophic natural events and urgent medical scenarios. As Gwen Lighter, CEO of GoAERO, stated, "GoAERO aircraft are more necessary than ever." This underscores the urgency of developing technology that can save lives.

Addressing the context of the competition, 2025 was marked by catastrophic events, including devastating floods in Texas, severe wildfires in California, and record-breaking heat around the world. As disaster response becomes increasingly critical, traditional emergency services face challenges such as budget constraints and increased traffic congestion, leading to longer response times that could endanger lives. The necessity for innovative solutions is thus at the forefront of public interest.

GoAERO's initiative not only aims to create transformative flight technologies but also seeks to establish a collaborative network among industry leaders, governments, and first-response organizations. By fostering dialogue and cooperation, GoAERO hopes to ensure that advancements in emergency response vehicles are strategically implemented to maximize safety and efficiency in their deployment.

As the competition progresses into its next phase, anticipations are high for the upcoming final flight event at NASA's Ames Research Center in San Francisco Bay. Teams will showcase their prototypes across three distinct public interest missions that will test their capabilities in real-time scenarios. An additional $1.65 million in prizes will be distributed among the winners of these final assessments, providing further incentive for innovation.

Since its inception in 2024, the GoAERO Prize has continually pushed the boundaries of what is possible in aerial response technology. With considerable mentoring from industry experts and exposure to global audiences, participating teams also gain access to essential tools and resources necessary for turning prototypes into operational vehicles.

As the competition continues, new teams can join regardless of their prior involvement, promoting a diverse spectrum of ideas and solutions. For ongoing updates and participation details, interested parties can visit GoAEROprize.com. The future of emergency response aviation is unfolding, and the innovative spirit of GoAERO stands at the forefront of this vital transformation.