SkyDrive Inc. (“SkyDrive”), an eVTOL aircraft manufacturer based in Japan, announced that it has raised ¥8.3 billion in Pre-Series D funding through a third-party allotment.
This funding round was led by MUFG Bank, Ltd. (“MUFG”), with investments from Suzuki Motor Corp. (“Suzuki”), East Japan Railway Co. (“JR East”), Kyushu Railway Co. (“JR Kyushu”), and seven other companies.
With this latest round, SkyDrive’s cumulative funding now exceeds ¥43 billion.
New Investors
- Kyushu Railway Co. (JR Kyushu)
- East Japan Railway Co. (JR East)
- Univance Corp.
Returning Investors
- ITOCHU Technology Ventures Inc.
- Obayashi Corp.
- The Kansai Electric Power Co. Inc.
- Suzuki Motor Corp.
- SuMi TRUST Innovation Investment LPS
- Toyoda Iron Works Co. Ltd.
- NHK Spring Co. Ltd.
- MUFG Bank, Ltd.
Background and Purpose of Fundraising
SkyDrive, founded in 2018, is working to fulfill its mission of “taking the lead in the once-in-a-century mobility revolution” and its vision of creating a future in which the general public, in Japan and around the world, uses eVTOLs to meet their daily mobility needs.
The company has been actively working to obtain type certification, a critical step toward the commercialization of eVTOLs. In February 2025, Japan’s Civil Aviation Bureau (JCAB) issued a G-1 certification basis for the SkyDrive SD-05, SkyDrive’s lightweight, three-seat eVTOL aircraft.
Currently, SkyDrive is advancing its certification plans and coordinating with JCAB on the specifics of upcoming tests and their timelines.
Following an agreement on the certification plan, SkyDrive will conduct extensive ground and flight tests in line with the agreed plans. The new funding will be used to strengthen the development team, enhance testing infrastructure, improve operational readiness and accelerate activities related to certification and development.
Strategic Alliances With Railway Companies
Following partnerships with Osaka Metro Co. Ltd. and Kintetsu Group Holdings Co. Ltd., SkyDrive is pleased to welcome JR East and JR Kyushu as strategic equity partners in this new funding round. SkyDrive now maintains capital and business alliances with a total of four railway companies.
Integrating SkyDrive’s eVTOL capabilities into existing networks operated by these partner companies will create seamless mobility solutions that combine overland and air travel.
These collaborations will also focus on establishing air routes, developing vertiports and advancing public relations efforts to boost public support for widespread eVTOL use.
An initial concept for areas of Iwate Prefecture (northern Japan) that could be served by SkyDrive’s eVTOL, as announced by JR East and SkyDrive.
A vision for potential eVTOL routes in Oita Prefecture, as announced by JR Kyushu and SkyDrive. A research project utilizing the “Subsidy for the Development of Advanced Air Mobility Commercial Services for Fiscal Year 2025” in Oita Prefecture has been launched.
Yoichi Kise, president and CEO of East Japan Railway Co., said:
“The history of rail travel in Japan dates back more than 150 years. Since their introduction, railways have continually evolved alongside societal progress, adapting to changing lifestyles and technologies. Our recent partnership with SkyDrive represents an important milestone in our journey to create seamless mobility services that connect ground and air transportation. We believe this collaboration has the potential to address regional transportation challenges and unlock innovative solutions. By integrating railway services with eVTOL technology, we aim to help build a more comfortable and sustainable society. Building on our long-standing commitment to safety and passenger peace of mind, East Japan Railway Co. looks to create new value through next-generation mobility solutions that will shape the future of transport.”
Yoji Furumiya, representative director, president and corporate fficer of Kyushu Railway Co., said:
“eVTOL will not only provide tourists with exciting, memorable air travel experiences, it will also make significant contributions to community development by providing a new daily transportation option for local community residents. This initiative aligns with key strategies outlined in the JR Kyushu Group Medium-Term Business Plan, which includes our deep involvement in realizing sustainable mobility services, city building through enhanced collaboration among businesses and planting seeds for the future. Through the introduction of innovations in air mobility, we aim to make the Kyushu region more attractive, and we are committed to working together with the local community to advance this exciting project.”
Norihiko Takao, president of Univance Corp., said:
“We are thrilled to announce our investment in SkyDrive, a company driving the move toward next-generation mobility services as an innovator at the forefront of eVTOL aircraft development. At Univance, we have spent decades developing and manufacturing advanced drive systems for the automotive industry, and we are confident that, by applying our expertise, we can play a key role in building the infrastructure needed for a new era of transportation. Through our partnership with SkyDrive, we look forward to creating sustainable and innovative mobility solutions, while working together to address critical societal challenges and shape a better future.”
Tomohiro Fukuzawa, CEO of SkyDrive Inc., said:
“Since our additional Series C funding in August 2024, SkyDrive has made steady progress in the development of our eVTOL aircraft. With substantial support from our partner Suzuki, prototypes of our eVTOL have successfully completed numerous flight tests without incident, also achieving a successful demonstration flight at the Osaka-Kansai Expo site in April 2025. We are also pleased with the progress of our certification plans with the issuance by JCAB of the standards that will apply to our application for type certification.
“On the global business front, we have received more than 380 preorders across seven countries, further expanding the international reach of our vision. Additionally, in this Pre-Series D round, we are honored to welcome JR East and JR Kyushu as new partners. We are confident that integrating SkyDrive’s next-generation mobility solutions into Japan’s railway networks will enable us to deliver seamless mobility services that link ground and air transport, providing a fast and convenient customer experience.
“As we welcome this new investment, we also express our deepest gratitude to all the investors who have been with us from the earlier stages of our journey. These valuable partners include Suzuki, MUFG Bank, Itochu Technology Ventures, Obayashi Corp., Kansai Electric Power, Toyoda Iron Works, NHK Spring and SuMi Trust Innovation Investment. Through their early involvement, these shareholders have shared SkyDrive’s vision and contributed significantly to the refinement of our technology and the expansion of our business possibilities. Their unwavering support enables us to push the boundaries of innovation and work toward wider public acceptance and adoption of eVTOL.
“We remain committed to advancing our development efforts as a united team, striving to bring the future of air mobility to life as quickly as possible.”
This press release was prepared and distributed by SkyDrive.
