Zuri Unveils Certification, Series A Funding Plans

Czech Republic VTOL manufacturer Zuri plans to obtain certification for its Zuri 2.0 aircraft from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). 

Michal Illich, the founder and CEO of Zuri, told Global Sky Media that the company aims to get the hybrid five-seater VTOL, which can fly over 700 km at a cruise speed of 300 to 350 kph, certificated by EASA initially before setting its sights on the FAA. 

“EASA first, FAA second,” he summarized during a flight from London to Frankfurt.

Illich also touched on the company’s funding aspirations after it set a goal of €1.5 million (USD$1.6 million) in its pre-series A funding round. So far, already €400,000 (USD$439, 000) has been procured. 

The money raised will be split between three pathways – research and development, marketing, and preparing for a Series A funding round. 

“We will use it mainly for Research and Development and partially also for marketing and preparations for series A,” he said. 

Once the Prague-based firm receives its Series A funding, Illich plans to kickstart commercial operations involving the Zuri 2.0 aircraft within the next five years. However, he stressed this “heavily depends on the funding.”

Talking about the future, Illich outlined Zuri’s plan to sell their VTOLs to numerous operators across multiple industries. He is also contemplating launching a small fleet under the company’s name that will service nations in Central Europe. 

Illich said Zuri plans to sell the aircraft to operators including regional airlines, Uber-style service providers, as well as private jet and helicopter operators. “But we may have a small Zuri fleet in Central Europe operated directly,” he added. 

Pressed about the routes Zuri may target, Illich said the “opportunities are countless” without delving into specifics, and that operators who buy the company’s VTOLs can decide which cities and countries they want to operate in. 

Ultimately, one goal Illich wants to achieve is better connecting cities and islands without airports.

“We focus on flights up to 700 km, preferably for cities or islands which don’t have its own international airports (which is a majority of cities, honestly),” he informed Global Sky Media. “We didn’t select any specific cities or islands, it’s up to operators.”

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