SkyDrive has secured ¥8.3 billion in Pre-Series D funding, lifting its total raised investment to over ¥43 billion. The latest funding round was led by MUFG Bank with participation from eleven investors including returning backers Suzuki Motor Corporation, Kansai Electric Power and Itochu Technology Ventures, as well as new investors JR East, JR Kyushu and Univance.

The partnerships with JR East and JR Kyushu were first revealed earlier in 2025, alongside SkyDrive’s Pre-Series D funding round that brought both companies on board as early strategic investors. Their involvement marked a pivotal move toward integrating eVTOL services into Japan’s wider transport landscape, with major rail operators preparing to help shape the country’s next phase of mobility. These new alliances build on existing collaborations with Osaka Metro and Kintetsu Group, reflecting a growing strategy to align air mobility with ground transport providers.

SkyDrive will use the funds to advance certification of its SD-05 eVTOL with Japan’s Civil Aviation Bureau, expand its development team and scale testing infrastructure. The G-1 certification basis for the SD-05 was issued by JCAB in February 2025, and SkyDrive is now finalising test timelines and plans.

East Japan Railway president Yoichi Kise says: “Our recent partnership with SkyDrive represents an important milestone in our journey to create seamless mobility services that connect ground and air transportation. We believe this collaboration has the potential to address regional transportation challenges and unlock innovative solutions. By integrating railway services with eVTOL technology, we aim to help build a more comfortable and sustainable society.”

SkyDrive CEO Tomohiro Fukuzawa adds: “Since our additional Series C funding in August 2024, SkyDrive has made steady progress in the development of our eVTOL aircraft. With substantial support from our partner Suzuki, prototypes of our eVTOL have successfully completed numerous flight tests without incident, also achieving a successful demonstration flight at the Osaka-Kansai Expo site in April 2025. We are also pleased with the progress of our certification plans with the issuance by JCAB of the standards that will apply to our application for type certification.”