ZeroAvia logo

ZeroAvia

ZeroAvia is a company located in the Seattle area developing zero-emission aviation technologies; its headquarters are in Seattle...

Facts

HQ
United Kingdom
Sectors
Aerospace, Clean energy, Hydrogen, Aviation

Hydrogen Aviation Startup ZeroAvia Scales Back U.S. Operations, CEO and Several Executives Depart Amid Strategic Shift

ZeroAvia, a hydrogen aviation startup backed by Bill Gates and Amazon, has scaled back its ambitions by ceasing most operations in Washington and California, shifting product development to the UK, and experiencing executive departures, including CEO Val Miftakhov. Despite these setbacks, the company maintains its mission to advance hydrogen-electric powertrains for aviation and seeks to adjust its pace and focus according to market conditions.

ZeroAvia Seeks $150M to Fund Hydrogen-Electric Aviation Powertrain Production Through 2028

ZeroAvia, a sustainable aviation startup, is seeking $150 million in funding to sustain operations through 2028 and plans to start commercial production of its hydrogen-electric powertrain by 2027. The company has secured over 2,000 orders, is working with aviation authorities for certification, and recently partnered with RVL Aviation to retrofit cargo aircraft in the UK.

American Airlines to Buy 100 Hydrogen Electric Engines from ZeroAvia for CRJ700 Jets

American Airlines plans to purchase 100 hydrogen electric engines from clean aviation startup ZeroAvia to power its regional Bombardier CRJ700 jets, supporting the development of zero-emission aircraft propulsion. ZeroAvia, founded in 2017, is advancing certification of its ZA600 and ZA2000 hydrogen fuel cell engines and has opened a large manufacturing facility in Washington.

ZeroAvia opens R&D center at Everett’s Paine Field; $5.5M refit and $350K Washington grant support hydrogen-electric powertrain work

ZeroAvia is opening an R&D center at Everett’s Paine Field near Seattle to develop hydrogen-electric aircraft powertrains, with plans to begin customer rollouts in 2024 and potentially build a North American manufacturing hub there. The Paine Field site converts warehouse space into offices and labs, received a $350,000 Washington grant, and will employ 20–30 people initially while ZeroAvia pursues larger-scale manufacturing and powertrains for bigger aircraft.

Amazon’s $2B Climate Pledge Fund Invests in Hippo Harvest and Amogy to Cut Grocery and Shipping Emissions

Amazon’s $2 billion Climate Pledge Fund has invested in two climate tech startups — Hippo Harvest, which develops closed-loop greenhouse systems using robotics and ML to cut water use and emissions, and Amogy, which converts ammonia into power for heavy transport — part of Amazon’s push to reach net zero by 2040. The moves aim to reduce emissions across Amazon’s grocery stores and shipping operations amid rising company emissions.

Bill Gates’ Breakthrough Energy Ventures invests $24.3M in ZeroAvia, lifting private funding past $53M

Bill Gates’ Breakthrough Energy Ventures led a follow-up $24.3 million investment in ZeroAvia’s hybrid hydrogen-electric aircraft powertrains, joining prior investors and bringing the company’s total private funding to more than $53 million and nearly $74 million including grants. ZeroAvia plans a 19-seat hydrogen-electric demonstration by 2023, commercialization of a 600 kW powertrain in 2024, and a 2 MW program targeting 50+ seat aircraft by 2026.

Breakthrough Energy Ventures, Amazon and others invest $80M in Turntide to commercialize switched-reluctance Smart Motor System

Turntide Technologies raised $80 million in a funding round led by Bill Gates’s Breakthrough Energy Ventures, bringing its total funding to $180 million to scale its Smart Motor System based on switched reluctance motor technology. Investors include the Amazon Climate Pledge Fund, Robert Downey Jr.’s Footprint Coalition Ventures and several venture firms, backing the company’s effort to improve motor efficiency and reduce carbon emissions.

ZeroAvia raises $21.4M from Breakthrough Energy and Amazon’s Climate Pledge Fund to scale hydrogen-electric aircraft

ZeroAvia raised $21.4 million in a Series A round led by Bill Gates' Breakthrough Energy Ventures and Amazon’s Climate Pledge Fund to accelerate development of hydrogen-electric powertrains for zero-emission propeller aircraft, with commercial flights of 10–20 seat planes up to 500 miles targeted by 2023. The company also secured a £16.3 million UK government grant and partnerships including British Airways, and plans larger hydrogen jets by 2030.

Online