The electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) sector has faced turbulent times in recent months, with some of Europe’s most promising players, Lilium and Volocopter, encountering severe financial difficulties. At one point, Lilium appeared on the brink of bankruptcy, raising serious concerns about the viability of the entire industry.
However, in what seemed like a Christmas miracle, the German-based eVTOL manufacturer managed to secure a fresh round of investment, allowing it to continue pursuing its ambitious urban air mobility vision. This financial boost came at a crucial time, offering Lilium a much-needed lifeline to further develop its cutting-edge aircraft technology.
Just as Lilium regained stability, reports surfaced that Volocopter, another major player in the eVTOL space, was also on the verge of collapse. These setbacks led many to question whether the Jetsons-style dream of air taxis was slowly slipping into oblivion. However, recent developments prove otherwise—the industry continues to attract investment, and innovation in aerospace technology remains strong.
Despite these challenges, several European aerospace startups are making remarkable progress, proving that the sky is still the limit. From hydrogen-powered jets to next-generation regional aircraft, these companies are shaping the future of aviation.
European Aerospace Startups to Watch in 2025
Airvolve (Lithuania) – Next-Gen Tactical Transport
✈️ Developing heavy-lift aerial vehicles for cargo, rescue, and defense
✈️ 10x lower costs than helicopters, 60 km range
✈️ €825K funding, USPTO patent pending
Beyond Aero (France) – Hydrogen-Powered Business Jets
✈️ First hydrogen-electric business jet, 1,500 km range
✈️ $20M funding (Giant Ventures, Bpifrance, Airbnb & Dropbox founders)
✈️ Building world’s most powerful Hydrogen Powertrain Lab
Heart Aerospace (Sweden) – Hybrid-Electric Regional Travel
⚡ 30-seat ES-30 hybrid-electric airliner, up to 800 km range
⚡ $107M Series B funding (Air Canada, United Airlines, Breakthrough Energy)
⚡ First test flights in 2025
Destinus (Switzerland/Netherlands) – Supersonic & Hypersonic Aviation
⚡Developing hydrogen-powered supersonic aircraft
⚡Supersonic prototype in 2026, hypersonic aircraft by 2030
⚡ Relocated HQ to Netherlands for defense R&D
VÆRIDION (Germany) – Zero-Emission Microliners
✈️ 9-passenger electric aircraft, 500 km range
✈️ First General Aviation startup to begin EASA certification
✈️ €14M Series A funding (World Fund, Vsquared Ventures)
