SkyDrive raises ¥8.3bn from JR East, JR Kyushu and Suzuki to accelerate eVTOL certification and global rollout

Why did SkyDrive raise ¥8.3 billion in new funding and what does it mean for the future of eVTOL mobility in Japan?

Japanese electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft manufacturer SkyDrive Inc. announced it has raised ¥8.3 billion in Pre-Series D funding, adding prominent transportation sector investors like East Japan Railway Company (JR East), Kyushu Railway Company (JR Kyushu), and Suzuki Motor Corporation. The funding round was led by MUFG Bank Ltd. and lifts SkyDrive’s cumulative funding to over ¥43 billion.

Headquartered in Toyota, Aichi Prefecture, SkyDrive is developing lightweight three-seater eVTOL aircraft for personal and commercial mobility. The funding underscores rising institutional confidence in advanced air mobility and positions SkyDrive as a key player in Japan’s emerging eVTOL ecosystem.

The electric aircraft developer’s mission is centered on “taking the lead in the once-in-a-century mobility revolution,” and this funding will play a pivotal role in accelerating certification, testing, and commercialization of its flagship eVTOL model—the SKYDRIVE SD-05.

How are SkyDrive’s partnerships with Japanese railway companies shaping seamless air-ground mobility networks?

A defining feature of SkyDrive’s recent funding round is the strategic participation of major railway operators JR East and JR Kyushu, who now join previously aligned transit partners such as Osaka Metro and Kintetsu Group. These equity-based partnerships aim to fuse eVTOL services with Japan’s existing rail infrastructure, offering integrated intermodal transport solutions that address regional transit gaps.

SkyDrive and its new partners envision developing urban air corridors, vertiports, and public outreach programs to foster societal acceptance of eVTOL as a daily transportation tool. Both railway firms emphasized the historical evolution of mobility in Japan, seeing eVTOLs as the natural next step in mobility innovation. JR Kyushu specifically sees eVTOL aircraft contributing to both tourism and everyday commuter transport across the Kyushu region.

Institutional sentiment suggests that integrated rail-to-air models could make eVTOLs viable in rural and semi-urban areas where existing infrastructure is limited. Analysts point to Japan’s population aging and regional depopulation trends as motivating factors for next-gen mobility innovations.

What stage is SkyDrive’s SD-05 aircraft in the certification process and how will the new capital accelerate regulatory approvals?

SkyDrive is advancing its certification strategy with Japan’s Civil Aviation Bureau (JCAB). In February 2025, JCAB issued the G-1 certification basis for the SD-05 aircraft, marking an important regulatory milestone. The SD-05 is a lightweight, three-seat eVTOL vehicle intended for intra-city and inter-city air travel.

Following the G-1 issuance, SkyDrive is coordinating with JCAB on a detailed certification plan, which includes structured ground and flight testing protocols. The newly secured capital will be used to scale up engineering teams, build testing infrastructure, and increase readiness for regulatory test campaigns.

The Japanese eVTOL pioneer is also aiming for type certification within a timeframe that aligns with Japan’s hosting of Expo 2025 in Osaka, where SkyDrive already conducted a successful demonstration flight in April. Certification and test activities are a major priority for 2025, and institutional observers expect increased transparency in test data and progress milestones as SkyDrive continues to court global regulators, including the FAA in the United States.

How does this funding round reflect global interest in SkyDrive’s eVTOL and where has the company secured international traction?

Beyond Japan’s domestic aviation corridor, SkyDrive is steadily positioning its SD-05 aircraft as a global product. The electric air mobility startup has secured over 380 pre-orders across seven countries, signaling international market interest even before type certification is finalized.

The Suzuki-partnered manufacturer began production in March 2024 at a facility owned by Suzuki Motor Corporation, reinforcing its manufacturing readiness. The ability to scale production with an established automotive partner is seen as a key asset as SkyDrive fields interest from overseas governments, mobility platforms, and tourism operators.

Investors and analysts tracking the electric aviation sector highlight SkyDrive’s technical credibility, demonstrated flight testing, and early regulatory traction as indicators of long-term commercial potential. The firm’s eVTOL aircraft is expected to operate within a range and speed envelope suitable for urban air mobility (UAM), with a likely application in airport shuttles, tourism, and rural access routes.

Which investors returned in this Pre-Series D round and how does their support shape SkyDrive’s growth path?

Returning backers in this Pre-Series D round include Suzuki Motor Corporation, MUFG Bank, Itochu Technology Ventures, Obayashi Corporation, Toyoda Iron Works, Kansai Electric Power, NHK Spring, and SuMi Trust Innovation Investment. These investors bring a mix of manufacturing, financial, and infrastructure expertise that supports both engineering execution and operational scaling.

Suzuki has played a central role in SkyDrive’s recent trajectory, providing production capabilities and backing demonstration efforts at high-profile public venues. Since its Series C+ funding round in August 2024, SkyDrive has conducted multiple successful flight demonstrations, showcasing steady technical maturity.

With consistent support from these long-term investors, SkyDrive is now entering an execution-heavy phase, where funding will drive tangible product, regulatory, and commercialization outcomes. Industry watchers expect that the next 12 months will focus on completing flight testing, achieving type certification, and preparing for domestic route deployment in advance of Expo 2025.

How are investors and institutional observers viewing the growth outlook for eVTOL adoption in Japan and SkyDrive’s role in shaping that market?

Investor sentiment toward the Japanese eVTOL sector has grown more optimistic following the government’s supportive regulatory signals and SkyDrive’s high-visibility flight demos. Analysts believe Japan is uniquely positioned for early eVTOL adoption due to its dense urban cores, aging population, and strong public infrastructure planning.

SkyDrive’s close relationships with national regulators, domestic manufacturers, and railway operators provide a holistic framework for deploying eVTOLs not just as standalone transport, but as embedded elements of the broader Japanese transit system. Investors are watching closely to see how quickly SkyDrive can move from flight demos and certification to actual paid services.

In the long term, SkyDrive’s integrated approach—with manufacturing, certification, route development, and public-private partnerships—may serve as a model for urban air mobility elsewhere in Asia. The electric aircraft developer’s focus on public acceptance and seamless multimodal travel sets it apart from international competitors who are pursuing individual ownership or isolated flight networks.

What’s next for SkyDrive’s commercial and certification roadmap in 2025 and beyond?

Looking ahead, SkyDrive’s development priorities include finalizing type certification with JCAB, expanding flight testing programs, scaling production with Suzuki, and launching initial service pilots in Japan. The April 2025 Expo flight was a showcase moment, but institutional backers expect further high-profile demonstrations in the coming months.

SkyDrive is also expected to deepen its global engagements, with export partnerships or air taxi consortiums likely to emerge in Southeast Asia or the Middle East. Institutional stakeholders believe that SkyDrive’s blend of strong industrial ties, public-private strategy, and early regulatory progress positions it as one of the most investable players in the Asia-Pacific UAM space.

Institutional investors view SkyDrive’s Pre-Series D raise as a validation of its hybrid business model and a catalyst for market-ready deployment by 2026. With four railway partners, a production alliance with Suzuki, and growing overseas orders, SkyDrive is preparing to move from prototype to commercial operator—one vertiport at a time.