Sarla Aviation, an aerospace startup inspired by India’s first woman pilot, Sarla Thukral, has raised $10 million in a funding round led by Accel, with participation from prominent angel investors including Flipkart Co-Founder Binny Bansal, Zerodha Co-Founder Nikhil Kamath, and Swiggy Co-Founder Sriharsha Majety.

Founded in 2024 by Adrian Schmidt, Rakesh Gaonkar, and Shivam Chauhan, the Bengaluru-based company aims to introduce electric air taxis to alleviate traffic congestion in India’s busy cities.

The fresh funds will be used to set up a research and development center in Bengaluru, expand its team beyond the current 30 employees, and advance prototype development to refine its technology.

Sarla Aviation’s debut prototype, named Shunya (meaning “zero” in Hindi), will be unveiled on January 17 at the Bharat Mobility Global Expo in New Delhi. Designed to carry up to 680 kilograms, including six passengers and a pilot, Shunya distinguishes itself from typical flying taxi concepts that usually accommodate only two to four passengers. While its range is limited to 160 kilometers, the company focuses on heavier payloads and competitive pricing.

Co-founder Adrian Schmidt, a German national, previously worked with air taxi startup Lilium and automotive giants Mercedes-Benz and Volkswagen. He relocated to Bengaluru in 2023, drawn by India’s market potential and opportunities in electric air mobility.

Sarla Aviation aims to begin commercial operations in 2028, starting with airport transfers in Bengaluru before expanding to Mumbai, Delhi, and Pune. The company also plans to offer free air ambulance services alongside commercial ride-sharing flights.

It has already partnered with Bengaluru International Airport to prepare for its service launch, joining competitors like the ePlane Company and Archer Aviation in tapping India’s growing air taxi market.