Ampaire raises $19M Series B to push hybrid-electric aircraft toward commercialization

Ampaire closed a $19 million Series B led by DiamondStream Partners, with backing from Alaska Airlines and International Airlines Group, to scale its hybrid-electric aviation systems. The funding will support certification, manufacturing, flight operations and commercial deployment as the company moves from test flights to customer use.

Why it matters: - Ampaire is trying to turn hybrid-electric aviation from test flights into commercially usable aircraft systems. - The funding supports a push to cut fuel burn, emissions and operating costs without requiring new airframes or major charging infrastructure. - The company’s progress could shape how regional and short-haul aviation adopts lower-emission propulsion.

What happened: - Ampaire closed a $19 million Series B financing led by DiamondStream Partners. - Strategic participants included Alaska Star Ventures, the corporate venture arm of Alaska Air Group, and IAGi Ventures, the corporate venture arm of International Airlines Group. - Ampaire said the round brings total funding to $68 million, including about $25 million in non-dilutive grants and contracts. - The company will use the capital to accelerate commercial deployment and technical readiness.

The details: - Ampaire plans to expand flight operations under the FAA eIPP program. - Ampaire will produce additional Eco Caravan units and prepare more manufacturing capacity. - The company also plans to hire more engineering and operational staff. - Supplier readiness and aftermarket support are part of the funding plan. - Ampaire is advancing Part 33 certification for the AMP-H570 hybrid-electric power system. - Ampaire is also moving forward with Part 23 Supplemental Type Certification for the Eco Caravan, a hybrid-electric upgrade for the Cessna Grand Caravan. - The AMP-H570 is a 570 kW integrated-parallel hybrid-electric AMP Drive power system. - Ampaire said the system is designed to preserve range, payload utility and operating flexibility while reducing fuel use, carbon emissions and operating costs. - Ampaire operates what it says is the world’s largest fleet of flying full-scale hybrid-electric aircraft. - The company says it has flown more than 38,000 hybrid-electric miles of test flights. - The Eco Caravan flight-test aircraft has demonstrated about 54% to 57% lower total fuel burn than the legacy turboprop configuration, including fuel used to self-charge the batteries. - Additional Series B investors include Pay it Forward Ventures, Massive Ventures, Techstars Ventures, Autodesk Foundation Impact Fund, Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator Impact Fund, Elemental Impact, Venn10 Capital, Gaingels, Exit Fund, Sand Hill Angels and Climate Capital. - Non-dilutive grants and contracts have come from the U.S. Air Force, the U.S. Department of Energy ARPA-e and NASA. - Ampaire has been recognized by the World Economic Forum as a Top Innovator in Sustainable Aviation. - Ampaire is headquartered at Long Beach Airport in California. - More information is available in Ampaire’s announcement.

Between the lines: - The mix of venture capital and airline-backed investors signals commercial interest beyond pure technology funding. - The company’s strategy is practical rather than speculative, with emphasis on aircraft already in service and existing airport infrastructure. - Airline participation suggests potential customer validation as Ampaire works toward entry into service. - The focus on certification and manufacturing points to a shift from proof of concept to industrial execution.

What’s next: - Ampaire will broaden route flights under the FAA eIPP program. - The company will continue certification work on the AMP-H570 and Eco Caravan. - Ampaire will build out supply chains, manufacturing capabilities and support operations needed for commercialization. - The company will also explore hybrid-electric APU applications with airline, cargo and government partners.

The bottom line: - Ampaire has funding, airline backing and flight data, but the next test is whether it can translate that momentum into certified products and scaled operations.