Sarla Aviation has successfully raised $10 million in Series A1 funding, which will be used to accelerate the development of advanced eVTOL technology.
The round was spearheaded by Accel and Nikhil Kamath, with notable contributions from angel investors like Binny Bansal, Sriharsha Majety, and other visionary founders from India.
This funding milestone accelerates Sarla Aviation’s goal of transforming transportation in India, by providing affordable, efficient, and eco-friendly air mobility solutions.
As urban expansion intensifies and traffic congestion in Indian cities continues to rise, Sarla presents immediate mobility alternatives that avoid traditional road infrastructure. The company envisions a future where people can live, work, and prosper without the restrictions of ground transportation.
Founded in 2024 by Adrian Schmidt, Rakesh Gaonkar, and Shivam Chauhan, the team brings years of expertise from global eVTOL leaders, building a world-class workforce that merges international knowledge with local insights, aiming to set new standards in urban mobility.
Sarla’s hybrid-lift-and-cruise eVTOL leads the market with the highest payload capacity, able to transport up to 680 kg. This enables 35% more passengers per flight at four times lower ticket costs compared to Western rivals, positioning Sarla Aviation’s flying taxis as a cost-effective and efficient solution for mass transit.
Adrian Schmidt, Co-Founder and CEO of Sarla Aviation, stated, “This funding is a key achievement for Sarla Aviation as we push forward with our mission to revolutionize transportation in India.
“Our flying taxis go beyond offering instant, affordable air mobility—they represent a bold move toward unlocking India’s vast economic potential and solving vital challenges like traffic congestion and pollution. With the backing of our investors, we are speeding up the development of our technology, growing our team, and setting up a cutting-edge R&D center. Our immediate goal is to build a mass mobility system that empowers and supports India, much like cars once did for the United States.”
He continued, “We also plan to launch a free-of-cost air ambulance service, addressing the urgent need for rapid medical response and saving countless lives by eliminating traffic-related delays. By prioritizing simplicity and affordability, we aim to create a scalable solution that meets the needs of tomorrow’s Viksit Bharat and fuels the country’s ambition to become a global superpower.”
Pratik Agarwal, Principal at Accel, added, “Sarla Aviation’s vision of affordable flying taxis addresses critical urban challenges such as traffic congestion, pollution, and the need for rapid medical response. Adrian, Rakesh, and Shivam are exactly the type of founders who can bring this vision to life; backed by experience from leading global eVTOL companies and a world-class team that can set new standards in engineering and innovation, they have the right mix of bold vision and ability to execute that will help this idea ‘take-off’ practically. Their emphasis on cost economics and reliability could make them a blueprint for other rapidly urbanizing regions worldwide.”
Sarla debuted its first flying taxi prototype at the Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025 in New Delhi, January 2025. The company is also planning to launch test flight campaigns and fast-track the development of additional prototypes, with the aim of entering the market by 2028.
