ePlane in talks to raise up to $50 million for air taxi push

Chennai-based urban air mobility startup founded by Professor Satya Chakravarthy is in advanced funding discussions with Speciale Invest, aiming to accelerate certification, prototype testing, and commercial readiness of its electric air taxi platform.

Chennai-headquartered The ePlane Company is in advanced negotiations to secure between $40 million and $50 million in fresh funding, as it moves closer to commercialising its electric air taxi technology. The round is expected to be co-led by Speciale Invest, a venture capital firm known for backing deep-tech and engineering-driven startups.

Founded by Professor Satya Chakravarthy at IIT Madras, the startup is developing compact electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft designed for short-distance urban travel. The company positions its solution as a response to increasing congestion in major cities, offering point-to-point aerial mobility as a faster and cleaner alternative to road transport.

Funding to power certification and commercial readiness

The proposed investment is aimed at supporting the next phase of development, which focuses heavily on regulatory approvals and operational preparedness. Unlike early-stage funding rounds centred on product design, this raise is expected to finance critical milestones such as large-scale prototype testing, engineering team expansion, and compliance with aviation certification standards.

Sources familiar with the discussions reportedly indicate that a significant portion of the capital would go toward working with aviation regulators, strengthening manufacturing capabilities, and preparing for commercial deployment. Certification in the aviation sector is often a time-intensive process, requiring rigorous testing and documentation before aircraft can be cleared for public use.

Growing momentum for urban air mobility

The funding talks come at a time when India’s advanced mobility ecosystem is beginning to gather pace. Interest in electric air taxis and next-generation transportation solutions is increasing globally, with several cities exploring alternatives to traffic-heavy ground mobility.

Speciale Invest’s continued backing signals investor confidence in long-gestation, engineering-intensive ventures. If the round is finalised, it would provide the startup with the financial runway needed to meet key technical and regulatory benchmarks, bringing its urban air mobility vision closer to commercial reality.