THE EPLANE COMPANY: REVOLUTIONIZING TRAVEL WITH 10X FASTER FLYING TAXIS

In the pursuit of addressing global traffic congestion, The ePlane Company, founded by Prof Satyanarayanan Chakravarthy and incubated at IIT-Chennai, is pioneering the development of safe, sustainable, and affordable flying experiences. The company, also known as Ubifly Technologies Private Limited, is on a mission to democratize technology and contribute to sustainable development by introducing electric Vertical Take-off and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft as a solution to urban traffic woes.

A Visionary Founder Leading the Way

Prof Chakravarthy, an aerospace engineering professor at IIT-M since 1998, is no stranger to innovation. Leading the National Centre for Combustion Research and Development (NCCRD), he encountered the concept of electrification in the automotive industry in 2017. This revelation led him to question why aircraft couldn't follow suit. Thus, The ePlane Company was born in 2019, with a vision to make flying an everyday mode of transportation.

Navigating Regulatory Milestones

The startup achieved a significant milestone earlier this year by obtaining Design Organisation Approval (DoA) from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), making it the first private Indian company to receive certification for an electric aircraft. Prof Chakravarthy emphasized the importance of this approval, stating that it was a crucial step toward commercializing their flying taxi.

Participating in TechSparks 2023, The ePlane Company earned its place on Tech30 list, recognizing it as one of the 30 most promising Indian Startups of 2023. With $5.85 million raised in seed, Pre-Series A, and Series A rounds, the company is actively engaging with investors for its upcoming Series A round, aiming to secure around $10 million.

Innovative Prototypes Redefining Air Travel

The ePlane Company boasts four prototypes catering to various needs. The e6 (Atva) is a compact logistics solution with a quiet electric motor and a payload capacity of up to 6kg. The e50, India's largest drone, can carry up to 50kg and has undergone successful flight testing. The e200, a full-sized airplane, and the e100, a cargo variant of the passenger-flying e200, can transport up to 100kg per trip.

The flagship product, the ePlane e200, is India's first eVTOL transportation system. Measuring 5m in length and width, it aims to transport individuals from their doorstep to their destination 10 times faster than conventional methods. The company's products can operate from any rooftop without additional infrastructure requirements, facilitating quick onboarding and offboarding for commuters.

Business Model and Future Outlook

Currently commercializing Atva under the brand 'Amber Wings,' The ePlane Company has a hybrid configuration (fixed wing + VTOL) that allows for multiple hops on a single charge. The startup envisions applications in surveying, monitoring, mapping, and promises deliveries of up to 6kg payload in pharma and quick commerce sectors. While still in a pre-revenue stage, the company plans to leverage its cargo variants for sales (Atva and e50), with the passenger ePlane operating as a flying taxi service for daily commuters.

Looking ahead, Prof Chakravarthy outlined the roadmap, stating, “We're working towards further prototyping and flight testing for certification of our eVTOL aircraft. Post this phase, we aim to commercialize by 2025-26.” The ePlane Company is poised to revolutionize the future of travel, making flying taxis a reality and paving the way for faster, greener, and more efficient urban mobility.