Pyka Raises $40 Million in Series B to Accelerate Growth of Dual-Use Autonomous Electric Aircraft Fleet

Pyka, a leader in electric aviation technology, has announced the successful completion of a $40M Series B funding round, led by Obvious Ventures and with participation from new and returning investors, including Piva Capital, Prelude Ventures, Metaplanet Holdings, and Y Combinator.

Specializing in large-scale autonomous electric aircraft, Pyka is rapidly advancing the commercial application of its technology across critical flight missions, from agricultural crop protection to commercial cargo transport and defence logistics. The company currently produces the largest FAA-approved uncrewed aircraft system (UAS) in the U.S. and operates actively across the U.S., Central America, and Brazil. Pyka's growing roster of customers includes major players like Dole, Embraer, Sierra Nevada Company, Heinen Brothers Agra Services, and Skyports Drone Services. In early 2024, Pyka delivered three aircraft to the U.S. Air Force as part of the Agility Prime program.

This new capital injection will accelerate Pyka's expansion across its commercial and defence product lines. On the commercial side, the investment will enhance Pyka's domestic manufacturing capabilities, increase production of its Pelican Spray and Pelican Cargo models, and expand operations with international clients. On the defence side, the funding will support the development of advanced capabilities for contested logistics operations in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Defense and allied partners.

"From the beginning, Pyka was focused on getting into the air and getting into business with commercial operations. Their cost-effective mindset and discipline caught our attention," said Andrew Beebe, Managing Director at Obvious Ventures. "And what got us really excited was the passion of the team and their mission-driven focus on electrifying aviation and decarbonizing one of the worst offenders in the world."

Pyka's Pelican Spray is a fully autonomous, 100% electric aircraft designed for complex agricultural missions. Weighing 1,320 lbs, it offers best-in-class spray precision and drift reduction technologies, making it the largest and most productive UAS approved by the FAA for agricultural use.

Pyka's second primary product, Pelican Cargo, is the world's first large-scale autonomous electric cargo aircraft capable of carrying up to 400 lbs over 200 miles. In partnership with Sierra Nevada Company, Pyka has also developed RUMRUNNER, a modified version of Pelican Cargo for the U.S. Department of Defense designed to sustain in contested logistics environments.

Pyka's products incorporate the company's proprietary autonomous flight engine and all-electric propulsion systems, allowing them to operate in complex environments with unparalleled safety and cost efficiency while keeping human operators out of harm's way.