Skyryse Raises $300 Million in Series C Funding, Valued at $1.15 Billion
Skyryse, an aviation automation startup based in El Segundo, California, has secured over $300 million in a Series C investment, elevating its valuation to $1.15 billion and marking its entry into unicorn territory. The funding round, led by Autopilot Ventures, injects a significant amount of capital into the company as it nears the completion of the Federal Aviation Administration certification process for its innovative flight control system. This investment will also support the integration of Skyryse’s operating system, SkyOS, across various aircraft, including U.S. military Black Hawk helicopters.
Joining Autopilot Ventures in this funding round are notable investors such as Fidelity Management & Research Company, ArrowMark Partners, Atreides Management LP, BAM Elevate, Baron Capital Group, Durable Capital Partners, Positive Sum, Qatar Investment Authority, RCM Private Markets Fund managed by Rokos Capital Management, and Woodline Partners. Since its inception in 2016, Skyryse has raised a total of over $605 million in equity capital.
Skyryse has garnered attention from investors and industry players alike, including the U.S. military, emergency medical service operators, law enforcement agencies, and private operators, for its user-friendly flight system. By streamlining the traditional mechanical flight controls and incorporating advanced flight computers, Skyryse automates complex and risky flying maneuvers, enhancing pilot skills and overall safety.
Although the system still requires a pilot to oversee operations, it automates the most challenging aspects of flying, making it easier and safer for pilots to navigate. Companies like United Rotorcraft, Air Methods, and Mitsubishi Corporation have already partnered with Skyryse to integrate SkyOS into a range of helicopters and airplanes.
Initially developed for helicopters, known for their instability, Skyryse’s operating system, Skyryse One, automates takeoff, landing, hover, and engine-out emergency landings. The company has since expanded its technology to include Black Hawk helicopters, demonstrating the versatility and adaptability of SkyOS across different aircraft.
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Skyryse continues to make strides in its FAA certification process, with the agency granting final design approval for the SkyOS flight control computers last year. The company is now focused on completing formal flight testing and verification to achieve full certification, further solidifying its position as a leader in aviation automation technology.
