Volant Aerotech

Volant Aerotech is a Shanghai-based eVTOL start-up, founded in June 2021. Volant develops and manufactures passenger eVTOL designed for commercial use.

In September 2021, Volant developed a 1:3 scale of its VT-25 Tiny proof of concept. The prototype had one high main wing, eight VTOL propellers mounted on two booms, two pusher propellers in the rear of the aircraft for forward flight, a modified V-tail, and fixed skid-type landing gear. The VT-25 Tiny aircraft design was made to reduce the complexity of the aircraft, which increases safety and reduces the weight. The VT-25 Tiny was reported to have made several test flights as part of its development.

In January 2022, Volant Aerotech signed an eVTOL Partnership for Safety Plan (PSP) with the Civil Aviation Authority of China (CAAC).

By mid-2022, the company began assembly of the VE25 X1 demonstrator in Yixing, Jiangsu Province, China. In September 2022, Volant launched a full scale demonstrator of its VE25 X1 eVTOL. The VE25 X1 was equipped to transport up to five people together with the pilot, as well as being convertible to a medevac configuration, or to carry cargo. The VE25 X1 has a composite wing configuration as well as a distributed power architecture (with 8 lift propellers and 2 tail-mounted pusher propellers) and is equipped to fly up to a range of 200km at a maximum speed of 230 km/h.

In January 2023, Volant announced that the VE25 X1 completed its tethered test run, and, a month later, in February 2023, the VE25 was reported to have completed its first untethered test runs. In June 2024, Volant Aerotech exhibited its VE25 air taxi on display at the China (Shanghai) International Technology Fair.

Key customers and partnerships

In November 2023, Zigong Municipal People’s Government signed a strategic partnership with Volant to mutually build an eVTOL manufacturing base of operations in Zigong City. Volant has also signed strategic agreements and Letters of Intent (LOI) with seven undisclosed companies for potential contracts worth over ~USD 2 billion, including more than 700 eVTOL aircraft.

Funding and financials

In its latest funding round in June 2024, Volant Aerotech raised USD 14 million through a Series A funding round to support test flights of its VE25 X1 aircraft and manufacture its AC101 aircraft. The latest funding brings Volant’s total funding to CNY 400 million (~USD 55.1 million) from its five rounds since its inception in 2021.