The French manufacturer AURA AERO has reached a decisive milestone in its development. Having raised €50 million in funding, secured public support in France, Europe and the United States, and already secured firm orders, the Toulouse-based company is entering a new phase of industrial development. Between ramping up production, industrial restructuring and technological ambitions, AURA AERO is laying the foundations for a large-scale transition.
An industrial resurgence that is now a reality
AURA AERO has just officially announced a major strategic shift. Thanks to a new €50 million funding round, the manufacturer has now raised a total of €340 million.
A substantial sum, backed by a particularly strong round of funding involving major players: the French Tech Souveraineté fund managed by Bpifrance, the European Innovation Council Fund (EIC Fund), Safran Corporate Ventures, Innovacom, Blast, EDF and the Florida Opportunity Fund.
Beyond the financial figures, it is the nature of the support that marks a turning point. AURA AERO benefits from industrial, institutional and strategic backing, enabling it to secure a long-term trajectory.
On the industrial front, two major projects are taking shape:
This expansion is also taking shape on an industrial level. In France, the company has been granted planning permission for its future factory in Toulouse-Francazal, a strategic site designed to support the ramp-up of production and the creation of skilled jobs.
In the United States, AURA AERO is also accelerating its expansion with a 16-hectare site located at Daytona Beach International Airport in Florida. This future factory, which will be dedicated primarily to the ERA aircraft, will be funded with the support of Space Florida, the state’s aerospace development agency.
As Antoine Blin, Chief of Staff at AURA AERO, puts it:
“Funding, firm orders and factories are no longer just prospects; they are now a reality.”
Firm orders that confirm the market
Another strong sign: commercial momentum is now very much a reality. Indeed, AURA AERO reports over 700 expressions of interest across its various programmes, as well as 20 firm orders for its ERA hybrid-electric regional aircraft.
A level of commitment that is a game-changer. We are no longer talking solely about innovation or technological demonstrations, but about the volumes to be produced and delivered.
Above all, these orders help to safeguard ongoing industrial investments and establish the project within a framework of mass production.
An ambition driven by France 2030 and the decarbonisation of aviation
Founded in 2018 and based in Toulouse, AURA AERO is fully aligned with France’s strategy for reindustrialisation and decarbonisation, as set out in the France 2030 plan. The objective is clear: to bring a new generation of low-carbon aircraft to market by 2030, whilst positioning France as a leader in low-carbon aviation.
Bruno Bonnell, Secretary-General for Investment, notes:
“AURA AERO is fully aligned with this ambition […] with a clear objective: to bring a low-carbon aircraft to market by 2030.”
The government shares this view, with Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot emphasising:
“Decarbonising aviation requires not only established industrial players, but also new entrants.”
Three programmes, three world premieres in the pipeline
With this new phase, AURA AERO is structuring its development around three major programmes, each with a clear ambition:
- ERA, a 19-seat hybrid-electric regional aircraft designed for commercial transport, with the aim of making the world’s first flight of its kind
- INTEGRAL E, a fully electric two-seater aircraft aiming for CS-23 certification
- ENBATA, an ITAR-exempt MALE (medium-altitude, long-endurance) drone designed for strategic applications
These three programmes cover commercial aviation, training and defence applications, reflecting a multi-segment strategy.
As Jérémy Caussade, co-founder of AURA AERO, points out:
“We are building much more than just aeroplanes: we are building a new European industrial player.”
Projects to be unveiled to the public shortly
As the programmes enter an advanced stage of development, AURA AERO is set to showcase its progress at two major events in 2026.
Indeed, the manufacturer will be exhibiting at AERO Friedrichshafen 2026, one of Europe’s leading general aviation events, where its electric and hybrid solutions will be showcased.
A few weeks later, AURA AERO will also be taking part in the Sun ‘n Fun Aerospace Expo 2026 in the United States, a key event in support of its industrial expansion in Florida.
There is no doubt that the Toulouse-based start-up will pull out all the stops at its events to encourage more investors and industry players to get involved in this project, which, without a doubt, looks set to be around for many years to come
Strong political and industrial support
Finally, AURA AERO enjoys significant support from a range of organisations in France, Europe and the United States, including Bpifrance (through the French Tech Souveraineté fund), the European Innovation Council Fund (EIC Fund), Safran Corporate Ventures, Innovacom, Blast, the Florida Opportunity Fund and EDF.
Beyond financial support, these partners bring industrial credibility and the ability to provide long-term support.
On the European side, Commissioner Ekaterina Zaharieva emphasises the strategic importance of this:
“Investing in companies such as AURA AERO means strengthening Europe’s global leadership in clean aviation.”
In the United States, Robert Harvey of the Florida Opportunity Fund highlights the company’s industrial ambition:
“AURA AERO aims to become the leading US manufacturer of hybrid-electric regional aircraft.”
Finally, EDF is also supporting the project in the area of energy infrastructure, with the aim of establishing future charging standards for electric aviation.
A new phase: manufacturing, delivering, establishing an industrial presence
With this fundraising, these orders and these factory projects, AURA AERO is clearly entering a new phase.
The challenge is no longer simply to design innovative aircraft, but to produce them on a large scale, in an industry undergoing rapid transformation. As Jérémy Caussade, co-founder and chairman, puts it: “We are building much more than just aircraft: we are building a new European industrial player.”
In a rapidly evolving sector, the Toulouse-based manufacturer is gradually establishing itself as one of the key players to watch in the hybrid and electric aircraft segment.
