Swiss startup Milan Aircraft raises seed round to build electric powertrain prototype

What's the deal? Milan FlugzeugwerkeDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →, a Bern-based startup developing a fully electric aircraft, has closed a seed round. Backers include business angels linked to Swiss investor networks SICTICDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom → and Aare VenturesDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →, plus several private individuals.

What's the endgame? The money funds a complete prototype of the powertrain — battery, control and power electronics, and motor. "That is the actual heart of our bird," said founder and chief executive officer Simon Wiedmer (translated from German).

Why now? Founded in 2024 by an 11-person team of engineers and aviation enthusiasts, the company is building a new electric aircraft from the ground up. It aims to cover a full 2.5-hour training program for private pilots, targeting flight schools that want to cut costs, emissions, and noise.

What's next? Milan is developing the airframe in parallel so construction of a flying prototype can begin next year. An A-round is planned for spring to finance the aircraft's build.

What could go wrong? The startup still faces a demanding certification process. A pre-application meeting with the European Union Aviation Safety Agency went well, but full approval remains a hurdle.

The signal: Milan is betting that electric trainers can displace combustion aircraft at flight schools — a narrow, cost-sensitive niche where emissions and noise rules are tightening. Early angel backing from aviation-connected investors suggests confidence in the team as much as the technology.

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Image credit: Generated with Gemini