Sarla Aviation Raises $10 Million for Flying Taxis

Sarla Aviation, an electric flying taxi startup, aims to launch its eVTOL services in India by 2028, starting in Bengaluru and expanding to other major cities like Delhi and Mumbai. The company recently raised $10 million in a Series A1 funding round led by Accel, with participation from notable angel investors including Flipkart co-founder Binny Bansal. Sarla Aviation plans to use the funds to establish a research and development center and develop its prototype, named Shunya, which can carry six passengers and has a maximum payload of 680 kg. CEO Adrian Schmidt emphasizes that the flying taxis will offer competitive pricing, potentially making them as affordable as auto-rickshaw rides. The startup's design focuses on higher payload capacity, even at the cost of a reduced range of 160 kilometers per charge. Sarla's vision addresses India's urban mobility issues, aiming to alleviate traffic congestion and pollution while providing a practical transportation alternative.