Pyka, a leading innovator in electric aviation technology, has secured $40 million in Series B funding. This investment will fuel the company’s mission to revolutionize the skies with its fleet of large-scale, autonomous electric aircraft. The round was led by Obvious Ventures, with participation from prominent investors including Piva Capital, Prelude Ventures, Metaplanet Holdings, and Y Combinator.
Pyka is rapidly commercializing its autonomous electric aircraft for a range of critical missions, including agricultural crop protection, commercial cargo transport, and defense logistics. The company’s focus on sustainable and efficient solutions has garnered significant attention, with its aircraft already deployed with customers on multiple continents.
“This accomplishment marks a significant milestone for Pyka,” said Michael Norcia, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer at Pyka. “We are committed to designing, developing, and commercializing autonomous electric aircraft at an unparalleled pace. With commercial production well underway, and our aircraft actively deployed with customers, we are incredibly proud of the progress we have made as a company. This funding brings us one step closer to making autonomous electric flight a reality for society.”
Pyka’s commitment to innovation is evident in its production of the largest commercially approved uncrewed aircraft system (UAS) in the U.S., the Pelican Spray. This versatile aircraft is specifically designed for complex agricultural operations, offering advanced spray precision and chemical drift reduction technologies to ensure safe, efficient, and cost-effective crop protection. The Pelican Spray is also the largest FAA-approved UAS for agriculture and the most productive spray UAS on the market.
Pyka further expands its product portfolio with the Pelican Cargo, the world’s first large-scale autonomous electric cargo aircraft. This revolutionary aircraft is capable of carrying heavy payloads over long distances, even operating from off-airport locations. With its ability to transport up to 400 lbs over a distance of 200 miles, the Pelican Cargo is poised to transform the cargo industry.
In partnership with Sierra Nevada Company, Pyka is introducing RUMRUNNER, a modified version of Pelican Cargo specifically tailored for contested logistics operations for the U.S. Department of Defense and its allies. This strategic collaboration underscores Pyka’s commitment to supporting national security initiatives while further advancing the capabilities of its autonomous aircraft.
The new investment will fuel Pyka’s continued growth and innovation. The funding will be used to enhance domestic manufacturing, increase production of the Pelican Spray and Pelican Cargo products, and expand operations with U.S. and international clients. It will also support the development of new capabilities for contested logistics operations for the U.S. Department of Defense and its allies.
“From the beginning, Pyka was focused on getting into the air and getting into business with commercial operations. Their cost-effective mindset and discipline caught our attention,” said Andrew Beebe, Managing Director at Obvious Ventures. “And what got us really excited was the passion of the team and their mission-driven focus on electrifying aviation and decarbonizing one of the worst offenders in the world.”
Pyka’s unwavering commitment to innovation and its impressive track record have positioned the company as a frontrunner in the burgeoning electric aviation industry. With this latest investment, Pyka is poised to accelerate its progress, bringing the benefits of autonomous electric flight to a wider audience and paving the way for a more sustainable and efficient future of air travel.
