Sarla Aviation Raises $10 Million to Revolutionize Urban Mobility with Electric Air Taxis
Bengaluru, January 16, 2025 — Sarla Aviation, an aerospace startup named after India’s first woman pilot, Sarla Thukral, has successfully raised $10 million in a fresh funding round led by Accel. The round also saw notable participation from angel investors such as Flipkart co-founder Binny Bansal, Zerodha co-founder Nikhil Kamath, and Swiggy co-founder Sriharsha Majety.
Vision for Electric Air Taxis
Founded in 2024 by Adrian Schmidt, Rakesh Gaonkar, and Shivam Chauhan, the Bengaluru-based company aims to ease congestion in busy Indian cities by introducing electric air taxis. Sarla Aviation plans to utilize the funding to establish a research and development center in Bengaluru, scale its team beyond the current 30 employees, and develop new prototypes to refine its technology.
Sarla Aviation’s First Prototype: Shunya
The company is set to unveil its first prototype, named Shunya (which means zero in Hindi), on January 17 at the Bharat Mobility Global Expo in New Delhi. Shunya is designed to carry up to 680 kilograms, including six passengers plus a pilot. Unlike most flying taxi concepts, which typically accommodate only two to four passengers, Sarla Aviation’s design prioritizes heavier payloads over shorter ranges, offering competitive prices for distances of around 160 kilometers.
Founders’ Background
Adrian Schmidt, a German citizen and co-founder of Sarla Aviation, previously worked with the Munich-based air taxi venture Lilium and in the automotive sector with Mercedes-Benz and Volkswagen. He moved to Bengaluru in 2023, attracted by India’s market potential and the opportunity to develop an all-electric flying taxi service.
Roadmap to Commercial Operations
Sarla Aviation plans to commence commercial operations in 2028, starting with airport transfers in Bengaluru before expanding to other major cities like Mumbai, Delhi, and Pune. In addition to commercial ride-sharing flights, the startup intends to launch a free air ambulance service, demonstrating its commitment to social responsibility.
Industry Context
Last year, Sarla Aviation partnered with Bengaluru International Airport to prepare for the rollout of its flying taxi service. This move aligns with a broader trend in the aerospace industry, with companies like The ePlane Company and Archer Aviation also eyeing the Indian market for electric air taxis. In November of the previous year, The ePlane Company raised $14 million to develop an eVTOL aircraft for intra-city commutes and cargo transport.
Expert Insights
Pratik Agarwal, Principal at Accel, commented, “Sarla Aviation’s vision of affordable flying taxis addresses critical urban challenges such as traffic congestion, pollution, and the need for rapid medical response.”
Conclusion
With its pioneering approach to urban air mobility and a strong financial backing, Sarla Aviation is poised to make significant strides in the aerospace sector, contributing to a more sustainable and efficient transportation future in India.
