Odys Aviation, a startup company building hybrid-electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft for regional mobility, is relocating to Long Beach, also known as "Space Beach" in California. It recently raised a $12.4 million seed funding round to meet its anticipated goal of making door-to-door regional travel simpler, quieter, greener and more efficient.

Odys Aviation has received $18 million in total funding and is accelerating development to join the top-tier companies of the advanced air mobility market. The 15,000 square foot facility on the Long Beach Airport (LGB) will support advanced testing of Odys' VTOL technology, as well as construction and assembly of its first human-scale demonstrators, which will be tested and flown at an off-site test facility outside of Long Beach. The proximity to other innovative entities within the aviation and aerospace industry will help cement Odys' position as a major player among the local community of aerospace startups. Odys expects its aircraft to enter service in 2027.

"We're thrilled to establish our footprint in Long Beach and engage with like-minded aerospace and aviation companies," says James Dorris, co-founder and CEO of Odys Aviation. "The forward-thinking members of the Space Beach community make this an ideal homebase for Odys to build the future of sustainable, hassle-free travel."

"We're excited to have Odys Aviation join us in Space Beach as it works to improve the commercial flight experience," says Long Beach Mayor Robert Garcia. "Its mission to make regional travel more innovative, affordable and environmentally friendly fits perfectly with the values and legacy of Long Beach, and we're excited to welcome it."

Long Beach has a history of hosting aerospace industry companies, including Boeing, Rocket Lab, Virgin Orbit and Relativity Space. Long Beach meets all of the needs for growing aerospace and aviation companies, such as a diverse pool of talent in the area, proximity to the Los Angeles Airforce Base, Long Beach's airport and nearby industrial space.