Vertical Aerospace (a global aerospace and technology company pioneering zero-emissions aviation) recently announced that it has secured $50 million in committed funding from founder, majority owner, and CEO Stephen Fitzpatrick. This investment provides the platform for further funding rounds.
It extends Vertical’s projected cash runway into the second quarter of 2025, supporting the continued development of the certification aircraft design following prototype testing this year. This certification aircraft will then go into final regulatory testing before production.
This funding comes at an inflection point for the company as it nears the completion of its second-generation, full-scale piloted VX4 prototype at GKN Aerospace’s Global Technology Centre. And the aircraft will conduct a series of key public flight demonstrations in 2024, including the intention to fly at Farnborough International Airshow and to and from Heathrow Airport. The flights are expected to demonstrate the significant technical and engineering advancements made to the VX4. Following this flight test program and planned public demonstrations, Vertical expects to be in a position to refine and finalize its aircraft design.
The funding comes off the back of several major milestones achieved by the company last year:
— Opening the Vertical Energy Centre in January and building a complete battery powertrain with Molicel cells
— Receiving Design Organisation Approval (DOA) from the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) in March
— Completing the thrustborne test campaign with the full-scale VX4 prototype by August
— Pre-orders for 1500 VX4 aircraft worth over $5 billion from more than a dozen customers worldwide by October
— Completing initial Technical Familiarisations with five global aviation regulators and proceeding to a key design review for the VX4
— Starting final assembly for the second VX4 full-scale piloted prototype – which includes the technologies from the majority of the VX4’s certification aircraft partners
— Strengthening the senior engineering team with hires across aircraft design, flight test, airworthiness and powertrain
Vertical has an asset-light, lower capital approach to eVTOL aircraft development, which is supported by its tier-one aerospace partner ecosystem and global operating partners. Last year, Vertical’s unaudited results indicate that its net cash used in operating activities was approximately $95 million, emphasizing its disciplined approach to spend management.
The company and Fitzpatrick have entered into a legally binding term sheet agreement regarding an equity investment by Fitzpatrick. Fitzpatrick will commit an initial tranche of $25 million, which is expected to close by March 2024, for a mixture of ordinary shares at $10 per share and warrants with a $5 exercise price and a second tranche of $25 million by July 31, 2024 for ordinary shares at a price per share to be determined (such second tranche to be reduced by the amount of alternative equity funding secured by the company by that date).
As part of the deal, shareholders will vote on certain changes to the company’s articles of association with respect to Board composition and proceedings at shareholder meetings; and the company will provide certain veto rights to Fitzpatrick for so long as his holding of the Company’s ordinary shares remains above certain thresholds, in respect of certain changes to the company’s articles, appointments, and certain issuances of shares and other instruments. The deal’s closing is subject to the entry into of long-form agreements and other customary closing conditions.
KEY QUOTES:
“Since founding Vertical in 2016 I have continued to believe in the enormous potential the company has to pioneer zero carbon aviation. The company has achieved significant technical progress both in its prototype programme and its certification plans in 2023, that I believe is not reflected in our share price. Given the success I have seen in the past 12 months, I am more confident than ever in our world class team, and I am delighted to further support the company with additional funding.”
– Stephen Fitzpatrick, CEO & Founder of Vertical
“I am delighted that Stephen has committed to further funding Vertical. His vision and funding to date have enabled Vertical to be a frontrunner in the Advanced Air Mobility industry and I look forward to both our demonstrations and the completion of additional funding rounds to deliver on the promise the VX4 has to offer our customers and their passengers. We are on track to deliver a transformative UK developed electric aircraft to our customers across the globe.”
– Mike Flewitt, Chairman of Vertical
