UK. Electric air taxi infrastructure and drone services provider Skyports has raised US$23 million in the first close of its Series B funding round. The capital has been secured from a combination of new and existing investors.
Skyports said the new funding will enable it to consolidate its position as a global leader in the advanced air mobility infrastructure and drone operations markets.
All existing institutional shareholders participated in the round including Deutsche Bahn Digital Ventures, Groupe ADP, Solar Ventus, Irelandia and Levitate Capital with a number materially increasing their stake.
Investing in Skyports for the first time were Japanese conglomerate Kanematsu Corporation, global industrial property group Goodman Group, Italian airport platform 2i Aeroporti (backed by Ardian’s Infrastructure Fund and F2i Italian Infrastructure Fund) and US venture capital firm GreenPoint.
Kanematsu Corporation will take a seat on the Skyports board and will be joined by Ken Allen, CEO of DHL eCommerce. He joins the board as an independent non-executive director.
Skyports said the new capital will allow it to accelerate its work with the world’s leading electric air taxi manufacturers and operators, providing take-off and landing infrastructure in key launch markets. Skyports will also materially scale its drone services operations in new and existing markets, building on active operations in the UK, Europe and Asia.
Skyports CEO Duncan Walker said: “This is another great milestone for Skyports as we continue our journey to be the leading vertiport owner and operator in the world.
“The support of our original investors who have deep experience in aviation and infrastructure and the addition of new capital from world class companies with a global footprint enables us to build the air taxi eco-system alongside our best-in-class vehicle partners for initial operations within a couple of years.”
He added: “Our growing drone services business puts us ahead of the curve with technology development, regulation and operational experience whilst reducing carbon emissions by using drones for a broad range of customers.”
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