Pyka raises $40M for autonomous electric aircraft

Pyka, a developer of electric aviation technology, raised $40 million in Series B funding. Pyka is commercializing autonomous electric aircraft for a variety of applications, including agricultural crop protection, commercial cargo transportation, and defense logistics. 

The Alameda, Calif.-based company said it currently produces a large, commercially-approved uncrewed aircraft system (UAS) in the United States and maintains active commercial operations in Central America and Brazil.

“With commercial production well underway, and our aircraft deployed with customers on multiple continents, we are extremely proud of the progress we’ve made as a company thus far,” Michael Norcia, co-founder and CEO at Pyka, said. “This round of funding brings us one step closer to unlocking autonomous electric flight for society.”

Pyka says its portfolio of customers includes players in the agriculture, commercial cargo, and defense logistics value chains, such as Dole, Embraer, Sierra Nevada Company, Heinen Brothers Agra Services, and Skyports Drone Services. In early 2024, the company delivered three aircraft to the United States Air Force as part of the Agility Prime program.

Obvious Ventures led the funding round. New and existing investors in the round include Piva Capital, Prelude Ventures, Metaplanet Holdings, and Y Combinator. 

Pyka plans to leverage investment for growth across products

Pyka says the new investment will accelerate its growth across its dual-use product line. On the commercial side, it will support further Pyka’s domestic manufacturing capabilities, boost production of its Pelican Spray and Pelican Cargo products, and enable expanded operations with both U.S. and international customers.

Additionally, the Series B funds will advance the development of new capabilities to support contested logistics operations for the U.S. Department of Defense and allied partners.

Pyka’s family of products includes Pelican Spray, a 1,320 lb (598.7 kg), fully autonomous and 100% electric aircraft designed for complex agricultural operations. The aircraft combines spray precision and chemical drift reduction technologies to provide crop protection at scale.

Additionally, Pyka produces Pelican Cargo, an autonomous electric cargo aircraft capable of long-range and off-airport operations. The 100% electric aircraft can transport up to 400 lbs (181.4 kg) over a range of 200 miles (321.9 km). Pyka has partnered with Sierra Nevada Company to introduce RUMRUNNER, a modified edition of Pelican Cargo, to customers within the U.S. Department of Defense for sustainment in contested logistics operations.

All of Pyka’s products incorporate its proprietary autonomous flight engine and all-electric propulsion system to enable operations in the world’s most complex environments without putting human operators in harm’s way, at unprecedented cost savings to customers.