Volocopter: Best Urban Air Mobility Innovator Global 2021

Alexander Zosel and Stephan Wolf, and Thomas Senkel who is credited by the Guinness Book of World Records with the first manned flight of an electric-powered multicopter, established Volocopter in 2011. Since that landmark prototype launch, the company has been awarded the Lindbergh Prize for advancements in green aviation and raised a total of €322m (US $365m) over a total of 5 funding rounds (Seeding + A-D rounds). The German aircraft manufacturer is a pioneer of urban air mobility, paving the way for a future mode of transport that will change city life forever. It’s the only player in this space making real progress on development, production, regulatory compliance and commercial scalability. It has partnered with leading international brands to establish a solid supply network that lends confidence to investors and clients. Volocopter has run through several generations of its electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft — and sustainability is at the heart of the ecosystem it’s creating. It references the UN’s SDGs as a roadmap for development and benefits from support of influential partners like the World Economic Forum. Volocopter has developed a family of eVTOL aircraft to cover the full mission spectrum: a heavy-lift cargo drone and urban air taxi both expected within the next 2 years and a four-seater for long hauls by 2026. Volocopter has conducted over 1,000 regulatory-approved test fights globally (EMEA, US, Singapore, etc.), committed to air taxi services in Paris and Singapore within the next 2 years, and has commercial launch plans in Rome and China. The CFI.co judging panel announces Volocopter as the global award winner for Best Urban Air Mobility Innovator.