German entrepreneur Lukasz Gadowski, from Team Global, is joining the company that develops air mobility solutions as a shareholder and investor after closing a US$100 million deal to convert AutoFlight’s electric-powered cargo aircraft into passenger planes.
The company also announced that it will commence a certification program in accordance with European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) standards. For this purpose, AutoFlight will establish a subsidiary in Europe, which will probably be located in southern Germany.
AutoFlight is a Chinese startup, based in Shanghai, that specializes in the development and manufacture of autonomous aerial vehicles. Its mission is «to deliver safe and reliable aerial logistics systems and urban aerial mobility solutions for society». To drive the eVTOL industry forward, its deployments incorporate new materials, artificial intelligence, autonomous driving and 5G technology.
Team Global’s investment will allow the company to deepen its work towards achieving a passenger eVTOL that is, they said, «safe, clean, quiet and affordable».
Lukasz Gadowsk of Team Global said, «We are very proud and glad to join such an amazing company as AutoFlight with a fantastic team and a great founder. Air mobility is a beautiful nascent industry, ready to grow».
Tian Yu, President and CEO of AutoFlight, said, «Team Global will help us expand R&D, certification and operation globally (…) At AutoFlight, we are determined to open up the skies».
Last month, the Chinese company successfully completed the first flight of the V1500M, its passenger eVTOL. As reported by its President, «the basis of this design is a so-called «lift and cruise» configuration, which blends superior range and safety with the advantages of low complexity and therefore high affordability and the ability to achieve certification to the highest air safety standards».
Team Global has already invested in around twelve aviation-related companies around the world. «We believe in the future of sustainable aviation and invest in the best in every sub-segment or region of the world», Gadowski said.
The technology holding company has invested in Volocopter and Zapata Racing in Europe, Archer in the United States, and, from now on, AutoFlight in Asia. In addition, it supports technology companies that develop components for clean energy production and storage, and other companies that are working on innovations for the global aviation industry.
