Market research commissioned by electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) company Horizon Aircraft indicates that there will be rapid and considerable growth in investment in the urban air mobility (UAM) market by private equity and venture capital investors. The data was gathered by market research company Pure Profile, which interviewed 100 venture capital and private equity professionals, based in Australia, France, Germany, the Netherlands, New Zealand, the UK and the US, regarding their views on the UAM market. The interviews were conducted last month, online.

UAM eVTOLs are popularly called flying taxis, and some $900-million was invested in this sector during the first six months of last year, according to international consultancy group Roland Berger. The Pure Profile research ascertained that 59% of its interviewees expected more than $2-billion would be invested in the UAM sector this year, while 41% thought that the figure would be more than $3-billion. Indeed, 16% of the total thought that the number would exceed $4-billion.

“The eVTOL market is predicted to enjoy rapid growth over the next few years, and by 2050 there could be 160 000 commercial air taxis or more operating around the world, generating over $90-billion a year in revenue,” pointed out Horizon Aircraft CEO and co-founder Brandon Robinson. “This coupled with the fact that the sector is incredibly dynamic and fast moving, means it is attracting a huge amount of interest from investors. We expect this trend to continue.”

The interviewees were asked what they thought were the main factors driving the rising level of investment in the UAM sector. According to 64%, the number one reason was that more large companies were entering the sector, as this was increasing confidence in its viability. Increasing merger and acquisition activity in the sector, plus eVTOL companies listing at attractive valuations, came next, according to 58% of the interviewees. In third place, cited by 37%, was increasing public confidence in the market.

Another aspect of the survey was that 62% of the interviewees believed that there would be increased use of special purpose acquisition companies (SPACs) to raise funds for, invest in, or buy eVTOL companies. A SPAC exists solely to raise capital, by means of an initial public offering, to buy an existing enterprise. SPACs have no commercial operations of their own.

Horizon Aircraft is a Canadian company currently focused on developing the Cavorite X5 hybrid electric eVTOL aircraft for the UAM and other markets. The Cavorite X5 will be able to carry a pilot and four passengers over a maximum range of 500 km. In February, Horizon entered into a binding agreement under which it agreed to be bought by US company Astro Aerospace.