Ones to Watch: Sky’s the limit for evtol firms

Electric vertical take-off and landing — aka eVTOL — are the future of quiet, clean, runway-free air travel.

Designed for urban air mobility, they can serve as air taxis to ease congestion and speed up city commutes. As well as carrying passengers, they’re also suited for cargo and emergency services.

In April 2025, the UK government pledged over £20 million to accelerate eVTOL and the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) industries to pave the way for electric air taxi use from 2028.

Here Harpswood profiles the ones to watch as the industry takes flight…

1 | MIghtyFly

MightyFly is a California-based delivery company and its flagship Cento offers a cutting-edge solution to companies specialising in small and medium size cargo. Powered by eight hybrid-electric VTOL propellers and one larger push propeller, this next-gen aircraft isn't just a flying machine — it's an airborne logistics hub designed for speed, efficiency, and autonomy.

Founded in 2019 by MiT and Stanford graduate Manal Habib, the startup is on a mission to make same-day, door-to-door deliveries faster, greener and more scalable than ever before. In 2021 it closed $5.1 million in seed funding including investments from 500 Startups, At One Ventures, Global Founders Capital, Graph Ventures, and Halogen Ventures. 

From rapid medical deliveries to manufacturing parts and emergency supplies, MightyFly can deliver cargo of around 50kg at 150 mph over an impressive 600-mile range — completely autonomously. The aircraft can carry refrigeration boxes, for example, which are often used in the healthcare industry to transport organ donations or blood bags. In May 2024 the company secured an “industry first” Federal Aviation Authority authorisation, with permission to test the Cento within a flight corridor between two airports in California.

2 | skyfly

Oxford-based start-up company Skyfly brings to life the concept of an electric drone mixed with a fixed wing plane. Its flagship model, the Axe, is a two-seat, electric-hybrid light aircraft. It can carry up to 172kg, reach speeds of up to 100mph, and has a maximum range of 100 miles. As well as being safer and cleaner than conventional aircraft, Michael Thompson, Skyfly’s chief executive highlights that electric propulsion “brings not only environmental benefits but from a noise pollution point of view, it’s a huge benefit as well”. 

This pioneering technology promises the flexibility of a helicopter but without the cost, noise pollution or carbon emissions and can be charged up overnight with a conventional three-pin plug, just like EV cars. Whilst there are no eVTOL aircraft currently permitted to fly in the UK, it is an exciting time for the Axe which has successfully completed manned test flights in both hover and forward flight models, and already has 40 pre-orders from buyers globally.

3 | dronamics

Cargo delivery is essential for global trade. UK-based Dronamics has created the world’s first licensed cargo drone airline that saves time, costs and emissions. 

Co-founders Svilen Rangelov and Konstantin Rangelov started their journey in 2014 to create a world where distance doesn’t matter. They had no team, no money and no regulation clarity. Fast forward eight years to a team of 150+ across 12 countries, a number of investors from aviation, logistics and technology from all over the world - and Europe's first licensed cargo drone airline.

The aircraft itself, the Black Swan, is built specifically for cargo. It can carry 350kg — the same load as a small cargo van — at a distance of up to 2,500km, up to 80% faster, 50% cheaper and with up to 60% lower emissions than other modes of transport. All it needs is an airstrip as short as 400m in length. This means it can advantage of under-used routes and connect communities and businesses that don’t have access to affordable same-day delivery - that is, until now.

Dronamics works with a variety of industries: from pharma to food, from e-commerce to spare parts. It’s already landed big partnerships with the likes of Qatar Airways Cargo and Emirates Post Group. We can’t wait to see who jumps at the opportunity to work with them next.

4 | væridion

Munich-based VÆRIDION is another exciting startup developing lightweight, battery-electric aircraft, but with a difference — it’s aiming to revolutionise longer regional travel. It was founded in 2021 by former Airbus managers Ivor von Dartel and Dr. Sebastian Seeman, who’ve used their expert knowledge in aviation to great effect.

Its patented prototype Microliner will seat nine passengers plus crew and can travel up to 500km, enough to go from the top of Germany to the bottom — all with zero emissions. 

2024 was a big year for the company. In November, it became the first general aviation company to complete its Pre-Application Contract with the EASA, which puts it on track to do its first commercial flight by 2030. If that wasn’t enough, just a month later it secured €14 million in Series A funding, led by World Fund.

It’s a very exciting time for this company and with 80% of Germany’s population being within 20km of a regional airfield, there’s plenty of demand for VÆRIDION to take advantage of.

5 | skybus

Skybus is a UK regional airline operating short-haul flights mainly between mainland England and the Isles of Scilly, a picturesque oasis off the southwestern coast of Cornwall.

Operating 19-seater aircraft with a total weight under 10 tonnes, Skybus transports both passengers and cargo, providing a vital and consistent lifeline to the mainland. For island residents, it ensures reliable access to essential services such as healthcare, education, and commerce. Flights from Land’s End Airport to St Mary’s take just 20 minutes, while those from Newquay Airport clock in at around 30 minutes, offering quick, convenient connections that have made Skybus a trusted choice for many.

Looking ahead to summer 2025, Skybus has announced a major expansion of its services from Newquay Airport, increasing frequency from three flights a week to two flights daily. This enhanced schedule is expected to strengthen connectivity and meet growing demand, solidifying Skybus’s role as a cornerstone of transport for the Isles of Scilly.