The US eVTOL industry is thriving, bolstered by the FAA’s approval of new aircraft regulations, the first in 40 years. Companies like Archer Aviation are making strides, planning commercial operations by 2026 and exploring military applications with Anduril. Meanwhile, Europe’s eVTOL sector faces hurdles, with notable challenges such as Lilium’s insolvency following failed government support talks. These struggles underscore the need for stronger industry backing in the region.
Despite the challenges, key players like Volocopter, Wingcopter, and Joby Aviation continue to push the boundaries of innovation, raising investments to revolutionize urban mobility. Joining this cadre, Czech hybrid VTOL developer Zuri has secured an additional €3 million in its pre-Series A funding round, bringing its total funding to €4.4 million.
The oversubscribed funding round was led by Jan Barta, general partner at Pale Fire Capital (PFC), a prominent private equity firm with a diverse portfolio spanning technology, energy, and global markets. PFC was also Zuri’s first investor in 2018, and this continued support reflects the firm’s confidence in Zuri’s vision for hybrid aviation.
Other notable investors include Boris Renski, the US-based founder of FreedomFi and co-founder of Mirantis. Matej Turek’s 10X fund also participated, alongside a group of angel investors from Europe and the US. These investments highlight Zuri’s global appeal and market potential.
Zuri plans to channel the new funding into expanding its team across various disciplines, including aerospace design, project management, electrical engineering, and software development. By attracting top-tier talent from Europe and beyond, the company aims to accelerate progress toward delivering its hybrid VTOL solutions and transforming regional air mobility.
Zuri’s journey began in 2017 with a simple crayon sketch by founder Michal Illich. Today, the company is advancing its mission with a next-generation technology demonstrator, TD 2.0. Building on the success of its first-generation, 11-meter demonstrator, TD 2.0 introduces significant improvements in three key areas.
The hybrid powertrain integrates electric and internal combustion technologies, delivering extended range, operational flexibility, and reduced environmental impact. Full flight mode capability allows the demonstrator to operate seamlessly in VTOL, transition, and cruise modes, utilizing advanced tiltrotor technology tested in multiple subscale models. The improved design features enhanced tiltrotors and a re-engineered tail section, offering superior aerodynamic efficiency, stability, and overall performance.
Founder Michal Illich expressed his gratitude, stating, “This remarkable level of support from our investors reinforces Zuri’s mission and momentum. With the funds raised, we can now confidently accelerate the next stage of our development—building our next-generation technology demonstrator, TD 2.0.”
Jan Barta, general partner at Pale Fire Capital, praised Illich’s persistence: “Advancing a large VTOL project while being capital constrained was an immense challenge, and Michal never gave up. Those are the true qualities of real founders. This funding will now allow Zuri to scale up quickly, and one can say—literally—the sky is truly the limit here.”
Zuri’s hybrid VTOL aircraft, powered by Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), represents a transformative solution for point-to-point, mid-range air travel. By combining vertical takeoff and landing capabilities with efficient wing-borne flight, Zuri is poised to redefine Advanced Regional Air Mobility.
With strong investor backing and a clear roadmap for innovation, Zuri is well-positioned to overcome challenges in the eVTOL sector and deliver sustainable, high-performance aviation solutions that can shape the future of air travel.
