Sarla Aviation, an urban air mobility company, has secured $10 million in Series A1 funding led by Accel and Nikhil Kamath, with participation from esteemed angel investors including Binny Bansal (Flipkart), Sriharsha Majety (Swiggy) and other prominent Indian entrepreneurs. This funding will accelerate the company’s mission to transform transportation in India with affordable, efficient and sustainable air mobility solutions.
The company is set to unveil its first flying taxi prototype, Shunya, on 17th January, 2025, at an expo in New Delhi. With plans to initiate test flights and create additional prototypes, Sarla aims for a market launch by 2028. These innovations come as urbanisation and traffic congestion worsen in Indian cities, highlighting the urgent need for mobility solutions that bypass traditional road infrastructure.
Founded in 2024 by Adrian Schmidt, Rakesh Gaonkar and Shivam Chauhan, Sarla Aviation leverages decades of combined experience from global eVTOL leaders to develop these solutions. Their hybrid-lift-and-cruise Electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing (eVTOL) offers an unmatched payload capacity of 680 kg, enabling 35 per cent more passenger capacity at four times lower ticket prices compared to western competitors.
Speaking on the funding, Adrian Schmidt, Co-Founder and CEO, Sarla Aviation, stated, “Our flying taxis represent a bold step toward unlocking India’s true economic potential. This funding allows us to advance our technology, expand our team and establish a cutting-edge R&D center. We envision a future where urban mobility is instantaneous, affordable and environmentally sustainable.”
The funding round also saw participation from notable investors, including Abhiraj Singh Bhal (Urban Company), Abhishek Goyal (Tracxn), Ramakant Sharma (LivSpace), Sujeet Kumar (Udaan), Manish Agarwal (Kratos) and Sandeep Nailwal (Polygon).
The aviation company also plans to introduce a free-of-cost air ambulance service, addressing India’s need for rapid medical response and minimising traffic-related delays in emergencies.
In addition to passenger mobility, Shunya features a cargo configuration optimised for diverse logistical needs. According to the company, the aircraft’s spacious loading area and standardised platform ensure seamless cargo operations, setting a new standard for urban logistics.
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