will.i.am leads $15-million investment in California flying car company, Jetson

Renowned rapper turned tech entrepreneur, futurist, and transportation consultant, William James Adams Jr., professionally known as will.i.am, has joined a consortium of investors and venture capital firms to invest $15 million in Jetson Inc., a California-based aviation company.

Jetson is the creator of the groundbreaking Jetson ONE, an electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, which is the first of its kind to be commercially available. With will.i.am’s investment and endorsement, Jetson is poised to continue its groundbreaking work in the field of eVTOL aircraft, revolutionizing the future of personal aviation.

In a statement released by the company, will.i.am commented on the investment and partnership with Jetson, stating: “I’m proud to be a part of the Jetson family and support the company’s mission to democratize flight, opening the skies to all. Personal aircraft ideal for short point-to-point flights will soon be a reality.”

Jetson announced that this investment will bolster the launch of the Jetson ONE and enable will.i.am, an existing Jetson customer, to undergo training to become one of the world’s first flying car pilots. will.i.am is no stranger to the world of innovative transportation, having previously designed and manufactured custom cars with futuristic features in collaboration with renowned brands such as Mercedes-Benz and DeLorean.

This recent funding, led by will.i.am and other angel investors, will play a pivotal role in realizing the company’s vision of democratizing flight and making the skies accessible to everyone. Jetson aims to achieve this through the development and market introduction of eVTOL aircraft that adhere to existing legislative frameworks, particularly as urban air mobility gains momentum.

Stephan D’haene, CEO of Jetson, commented: “This may be the biggest opportunity in aviation since the Wright brothers took flight. Today, there is an existing market that is a profitable business for a single-seat recreational aircraft. We are starting the first shipments already next year and will open our A-round soon to accelerate our growth.”

Jetson’s operations are currently headquartered in a state-of-the-art R&D and production facility in Arezzo, Tuscany. The facility boasts an 800-meter airstrip, perfect for daily flight testing, and serves as a customer experience center and pilot school. Looking forward, Jetson plans to expand its presence in the U.S. market in 2024 and is actively evaluating potential locations for its future U.S. headquarters.

The demand for the Jetson ONE has been extraordinary, reflecting the company’s ambition to empower everyone to become a pilot. With over 300 units already sold at a price of $98,000 and a down payment of $8,000 required to reserve a serial number, Jetson has made significant strides in the eVTOL market. The company has also garnered substantial online attention, amassing over 48 million views on its YouTube channel and millions more across the Web.