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§ Public · Santa Cruz, CA, USA
eVTOL aircraft developer creating all-electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft for urban air mobility and aerial ridesharing.
Joby Aviation, based in Santa Cruz, California, develops all-electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft designed for an aerial ridesharing service focused on urban air mobility. The company engineers and manufactures four-seat aircraft that combine vertical takeoff and landing capabilities with efficient forward flight, emphasizing electric propulsion and robotics. Joby has achieved significant milestones, including the FAA G-1 Certification Basis and US Air Force airworthiness certification in 2020, positioning itself for commercial operations. The organization has grown to over 1,400 employees and began trading publicly on the NYSE in August 2021. Its leadership features Founder and CEO JoeBen Bevirt, Executive Chairman Paul Sciarra (co-founder of Pinterest), and President of Operations Bonny Simi (formerly of JetBlue), with former FAA Administrator Michael Huerta also serving on its board. Joby Aviation was founded in 2009 by JoeBen Bevirt.
Joby Aviation has raised $1.3B across 5 funding rounds.
Joby Aviation has raised $1.3B in total across 5 funding rounds.
Joby Aviation has raised $1.3B in total across 5 funding rounds.
Joby Aviation's investors include Toyota, Delta Airlines, Uber, Shigeki Tomoyama, Craft Ventures, G2VP, Intel Capital, SV Angel, Toyota Ventures, Walden International, Wendell Brooks, LAUNCH.
Joby Aviation has raised $1.3B across 5 funding rounds. Most recently, it raised $500.0M Other Equity in October 2024.
| Date | Round | Lead Investors | Other Investors | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2, 2024 | $500M Venture Round | Toyota | — | Announced |
| Oct 11, 2022 | $60M Venture Round | Delta Airlines | — | Announced |
| Dec 8, 2020 | $75M Venture Round | Uber | — | Announced |
| Jan 1, 2020 | $590M Series C | Shigeki Tomoyama | Craft Ventures, G2vp, Intel Capital, SV Angel, Toyota Ventures, Walden International, Wendell Brooks | Announced |
| Jan 1, 2018 | $100M Series B | Intel Capital | Craft Ventures, G2vp, LAUNCH, Scott Sandell, Social Capital, SV Angel, Third Sphere, Toyota Ventures, Walden International, David Petraeus, Wendell Brooks | Announced |
Joby Aviation is a California-based transportation company developing all-electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft for air taxi services. It builds piloted, quiet, emission-free eVTOLs designed for urban mobility, serving passengers in cities worldwide while also selling aircraft to operators and partners[1][2][6]. The company solves urban congestion and inefficient short-distance travel by offering fast, convenient air taxis that are 100 times quieter than helicopters during takeoff and landing[2]. In 2025, Joby demonstrated strong growth momentum with over 600 flights, production scaling in California and Ohio, stock up 75% year-to-date, and international deals in Dubai, Japan, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE[1][4][5].
Joby Aviation was founded by JoeBen Bevirt, an inventor and entrepreneur, with the idea emerging from a vision to revolutionize urban air mobility through electric aviation. Headquartered in Santa Cruz, California, the company has evolved from early development to advanced production, with facilities in Marina and San Carlos, California; Dayton, Ohio; and Munich, Germany[1][2]. Key milestones include a 2020 manufacturing partnership and $590 million Series C funding led by Toyota, acquisition of Uber Elevate (adding $75 million from Uber), and U.S. Air Force airworthiness certification via the Agility Prime program. In 2023, Joby rolled out its first production eVTOL, secured FAA flight test approval, and landed a $131 million Air Force contract for early units in 2024. By 2025, Toyota invested another $250 million tranche, fueling manufacturing ramps[2][3][4].
Joby's edge in the eVTOL market stems from its mature operations, manufacturing scale, and strategic partnerships:
Joby rides the advanced air mobility (AAM) trend, transforming urban transport amid rising demand for sustainable, efficient alternatives to ground traffic. Timing aligns with FAA certification progress, government programs like eIPP accelerating commercial ops, and global vertiport infrastructure growth[4][5]. Market forces favoring Joby include Toyota's manufacturing support, international regulatory nods (e.g., Dubai demos, Saudi MoUs for 200 aircraft worth $1B), and defense validation via Air Force contracts[1][3][4][5]. As a leader, Joby influences the ecosystem by pioneering eVTOL delivery to customers, fostering national networks (e.g., Japan with ANA), and enabling hybrid-electric autonomy for military uses, paving the way for mass adoption[1][2][5].
Joby is primed for commercial liftoff, targeting air taxi launches in Dubai and UAE by 2026-2027, U.S. ops via eIPP mid-2026, and $1B+ in aircraft/services sales potential. Trends like autonomous tech (Superpilot™, NVIDIA integration), manufacturing scale, and global partnerships will drive growth, with FAA certification as the key unlock. Its influence could expand from urban air taxis to defense and international fleets, redefining mobility as electric aviation matures—echoing founder Bevirt's vision of a "golden age" where air travel becomes as accessible as riding an SUV[1][3][6].