In the most recent of its Series C investment rounds, Japanese eVTOL aircraft company SkyDrive has raised $55 million. Inventum Ventures, Osaka Metro, Mizuho Bank, and Energy & Environment Investment.
which also supported the Series A and B fundraising—were among the investors in the round that came to an end this week.
When announcing the most recent commitments, SkyDrive stated that it will utilize the extra money to improve its systems in order to expedite the testing of its three-seat SD-05 aircraft on the ground and in the air. In addition, as it gets ready for mass production, it will bolster other divisions and its quality assurance staff.
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Working with SkyDrive, Osaka Metro, which runs trams and underground trains, will showcase the eVTOL aircraft at the Expo 2025 event that the Japanese city is hosting. The public transport provider has committed to creating and running a vertiport outside the Expo area.
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To begin deliveries in 2026, the business is requesting type certification from U.S. and Japanese authorities. It stated that it currently has 263 aircraft on preorder from potential clients in South Korea, Vietnam, Japan, and the United States.
“Since the [first round of] Series C funding in September 2022, we have been able to make great progress in the development of our eVTOL aircraft with many top-class engineers from around the world joining our team,” said Tomohiro Fukuzawa, SkyDrive’s CEO. “With the cooperation of Suzuki Motor Corporation, a shareholder and strong production partner, we announced the start of production at Suzuki Group’s manufacturing plant in March 2024.”
About SkyDrive
SkyDrive is developing a commercial eVTOL plane. Japanese Civil Aviation Bureau (“JCAB”) approved its type certification application in October 2021. US Federal Aviation Administration (“FAA”) accepted its certification application in June 2024.
