British aviation startup Skyfly has secured €8.91 million in a funding round led by HICO Investment Group, with participation from the Archangel venture fund. The company, founded in 2019 and based in Oxfordshire, plans to use the capital to finalize FAA certification for its Axe aircraft, expand manufacturing, and accelerate the development of its Longbow drone.
The flagship Axe is a two-seat, fully electric aircraft capable of vertical takeoff and landing. It features a range of over 100 miles, a cruising speed of 100mph, and a 200kg payload capacity. The company estimates operating costs at approximately €83.57 per flight. To date, the prototype has completed more than 100 piloted flights, and 61 private customers have placed orders.
The Longbow is a hybrid-electric unmanned derivative designed for defense and government use, including cargo resupply and surveillance. It offers a range exceeding 400 miles and a 200kg payload capacity. Both models are set to be produced at the company's 10,000 sq.ft. facility in Thorpe Mandeville.
The funding aligns with the FAA's MOSAIC regulatory reforms, which took effect in July 2026. These rules allow electric propulsion and vertical takeoff aircraft within the Light Sport Aircraft category. Skyfly designed the Axe specifically to meet these updated certification requirements, aiming to transition from a prototype to a commercial product.
