Latest news with #ValMiftakhov
The Herald Scotland
24-05-2025
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
Hydrogen aircraft firm backed by £50m government funding
I had an exclusive interview with Val Miftakhov in Edinburgh in December 2019, which of course was shortly before the outbreak of Covid, when his team was preparing for the world's largest hydrogen-fuelled zero emission aircraft - flying without any fossil fuel support – which was to be tested in Scotland, at that time with the target of the first commercial flights in three years. How the site would look. (Image: ZeroAvia) The test flight would be 250-300 nautical mile round flight from the Orkney Islands. At that stage, Mr Miftakhov said the record-breaking flight would create the first opportunity for commercialisation of zero emission flight. Then the pandemic hit. However, his firm, California-based ZeroAvia, managed to make the groundbreaking flight. Despite the challenges presented by the lockdown and through careful management, the flight was able to take off, but from its site in England at Cranfield University for the UK's "first commercial-scale electric-powered flight" in June 2020. Mr Miftakhov is a greentech entrepreneur and founder of eMotorWerks, he has a PhD in Physics from Princeton University and a master's in Physics from Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, and is a two-times winner of Russian nationwide physics competitions. Val Miftakhov, founder and chief executive of ZeroAvia, said: 'Scotland has some unique advantages for ZeroAvia with strong aerospace and engineering skills, a burgeoning hydrogen sector and a clear aviation strategy with potential for early adoption of zero-emission flights.' (Image: ZeroAvia) The new site at Glasgow Airport announced this week will make fuel cells for hydrogen-powered aircraft, using energy that is stored after production from renewable sources. ZeroAvia plans to build a major manufacturing facility for the production of its hydrogen-electric 'powertrain' fuel cells at the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District Scotland in Renfrewshire, which would create 350 jobs. The firm hopes an engine that can power a 20-seat plane will enter service next year. The company is also developing the next generation of fuel cell aircraft engines with its ZA2000 for 40-80 seat aircraft. Mr Miftakhov on a test flight. (Image: ZeroAvia) It said that scaling to meet the power and operational requirements for these larger aircraft requires advanced fuel cells with higher power-to-weight ratio. The high temperature fuel cells that ZeroAvia will manufacture in the Glasgow facility, expected to open in 2028, are said to be key to unlocking fuel cell propulsion for larger aircraft. READ MORE: The project in Scotland is backed by funding including a £9 million grant from Scottish Enterprise, and the firm has had an equity investment of £20m from the Scottish National Investment Bank into ZeroAvia as part of the company's Series C funding, with the UK National Wealth Fund investing £32m as a cornerstone-level investor, with the Series C round was led by Airbus, Barclays Sustainable Impact Capital and NEOM Investment Fund. The UK Government has awarded ZeroAvia £18.5m total research and development funding since 2019 to develop fuel cell and powertrain technology. The firm said this support alongside more than $250m private investment has enabled it to make rapid progress after the first milestone of flying the world's first hydrogen-electric commercial-scale aircraft in 2020, to "more than doubling the power output to again fly the world's largest hydrogen-electric aircraft - a 19-seat Dornier in January 2023 - manufacturing and shipping fuel cell systems to customers, and to securing significant regulatory traction for the certification of its first powertrains". Mr Miftakhov said: "Scotland has some unique advantages for ZeroAvia with strong aerospace and engineering skills, a burgeoning hydrogen sector and a clear aviation strategy with potential for early adoption of zero-emission flights. The aviation industry is on the cusp of the biggest transformation since the advent of the jet age, with entirely new propulsion systems set to power the next era of aviation – cleaner flights, better economics and better experiences for all. "With this new facility, Scotland has a big role to play in driving this transformation. We welcome the grant award from Scottish Enterprise and the support of our equity investors that has enabled us to move into another phase of manufacturing readiness as we progress towards certification of our first engines." Glasgow-based Loganair has said it is in a partnership to progress hydrogen fuel operations from its Orkney base to the Scottish mainland in a move that could mean commercial hydrogen flights in five years. READ MORE: "Making aviation sustainable is crucial to a successful green economy and Scottish Enterprise is fully committed to backing ambitious companies with innovative ideas. "ZeroAvia's decision to come to Scotland is a real boost to our energy transition leadership, as well as being a further example of why Scotland is such a great place for inward investment." Kam Jandu, chief executive of AGS Airports, said: "Hydrogen is becoming an increasingly viable option for regional and short-haul aircraft, so it is fantastic to see ZeroAvia choose Glasgow Airport as the location for its manufacturing base. "As a regional airport group that serves the Highlands and Islands, as well as the Channel Islands from Southampton, AGS Airports is the perfect testbed for hydrogen powered flight. The Glasgow City Region has a critical mass of companies and skills, together with a vibrant academic and advanced manufacturing landscape to shape the sustainable future of aviation. ZeroAvia clearly recognises the benefits of locating its new facility here and we look forward to working with them to make zero emission flight a reality."
Scotsman
21-05-2025
- Business
- Scotsman
‘Green' aero-engine plant to bring 350 skilled jobs to Scottish airport site
'The aviation industry is on the cusp of the biggest transformation since the advent of the jet age' – Val Miftakhov, ZeroAvia Sign up to our Scotsman Money newsletter, covering all you need to know to help manage your money. Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Some 350 jobs are in the pipeline after a US company behind green aircraft engines unveiled plans to establish a base in Scotland. ZeroAvia's 'centre of excellence' will be sited close to Glasgow Airport and produce advanced fuel cell systems for its hydrogen-electric aero engines. The facility is expected to be up and running by 2028. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The firm believes that its technology can significantly cut aviation's contribution to global warming by emitting only water. It hopes an engine for up to 20-seat planes will enter service next year and it is working on a design for aircraft with between 40 and 80 seats. ZeroAvia isdeveloping the world's first zero-emission engines for commercial aviation. Picture: ZeroAvia The company's hydrogen centre of excellence and manufacturing facility will be sited within the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District Scotland (AMIDS) in Renfrewshire. Founder and chief executive Val Miftakhov said: 'Scotland has some unique advantages for ZeroAvia with strong aerospace and engineering skills, a burgeoning hydrogen sector and a clear aviation strategy with potential for early adoption of zero-emission flights. 'The aviation industry is on the cusp of the biggest transformation since the advent of the jet age, with entirely new propulsion systems set to power the next era of aviation - cleaner flights, better economics and better experiences for all. With this new facility, Scotland has a big role to play in driving this transformation.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Scottish Enterprise has awarded a regional selective assistance grant of £9 million to the project, building on an earlier £20m investment in the company from the taxpayer-backed Scottish National Investment Bank. Scottish Enterprise chief executive Adrian Gillespie said: 'It is fantastic that we've been able to attract ZeroAvia to Scotland, not only for the jobs they will be creating, but for the hugely important role they can play in ensuring Scotland maintains its reputation for fostering innovative green technologies. 'Making aviation sustainable is crucial to a successful green economy and Scottish Enterprise is fully committed to backing ambitious companies with innovative ideas.' The new facility will complement ZeroAvia's propulsion centre of excellence in Washington State which is focusing primarily on electric motors and power electronics. The company also has plans to expand its facilities at Cotswold Airport in Gloucestershire. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The UK government's National Wealth Fund has invested £32m in ZeroAvia and the firm has also been awarded £18.5m in UK government research and development funding since 2019. First Minister John Swinney said: 'ZeroAvia's decision to establish a base in Scotland - creating 350 highly-skilled jobs in the process - is the perfect illustration of Scotland's growing reputation in the global transition to net zero. 'Attracting inward investment is critical to economic growth and we will continue to work with Scottish Development International and other partners to bring more high quality jobs to Scotland.'
Geek Wire
16-05-2025
- Business
- Geek Wire
Report: Sustainable aviation startup ZeroAvia aims for $150M to stay airborne through 2028
Sustainability: News about the rapidly growing climate tech sector and other areas of innovation to protect our planet. SEE MORE ZeroAvia, a sustainable aviation company with R&D and manufacturing operations in Everett, Wash., is trying to quickly raise a $150 million funding round that will keep it aloft through the end of 2028, CEO Val Miftakhov told Bloomberg. Earlier this week, ZeroAvia announced that RVL Aviation will retrofit Cessna Grand Caravan aircraft with the company's hydrogen-electric ZA600 powertrain for its cargo operations in the United Kingdom. ZeroAvia, which is based in California and the UK, is working with the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration and the UK's Civil Aviation Authority for certification. The company aims to start commercial production late next year, or in 2027, Bloomberg reports. It has deals with aircraft manufacturers and more than 2,000 orders for engines and components from airlines, cargo operators and others. The company announced a $130 million round in September, and has raised about $300 million from investors and through grants. Aviation is one of the more difficult industries to shift off of fossil fuels and contributes 2.5% of the greenhouse gases emitted annually.
Bloomberg
15-05-2025
- Business
- Bloomberg
Hydrogen Startup ZeroAvia Targets $150 Million Funding Round
Clean-aviation startup ZeroAvia is working to raise about $150 million in a new funding round as it progresses toward commercial introduction of its first hydrogen fuel-cell engine. The company is in discussions with strategic and financial investors for the Series D funding, Chief Executive Officer Val Miftakhov said in an interview. He aims to announce a lead investor on the round, which has been under way for about six weeks, by the Paris Air Show in mid-June.
Yahoo
26-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Liquid hydrogen refueling looks to lift off at Stockton Airport
Feb. 26—STOCKTON — A zero-emission pioneer in the aviation industry will establish a research and development facility in Stockton focused on liquid hydrogen refueling. The Stockton Metropolitan Airport recently announced that ZeroAvia will take up digs at the transportation hub in the coming months, and design, build and test a first-of-a-kind rapid liquid hydrogen refueling vehicles for aviation and other heavy-duty applications. "The arrival of ZeroAvia at SCK is a positive step forward for our airport and the entire Stockton region," airport director Richard Sokol said. "As we look toward the future of aviation, we recognize the importance of supporting and collaborating with companies that are making tangible strides in green energy. ZeroAvia's work will contribute to a more sustainable transportation industry, and we look forward to supporting their work here." The San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors approved ZeroAvia's lease to move into the airport during its Feb. 11 meeting. According to the meeting's agenda, the board approved a three-year lease with the company for office space in the airport's terminal building. The company will move in April 1. In addition, supervisors approved a three-year ground lease with the company to improve land and construct a new 3,600 square foot hangar with office space. ZeroAvia will pay $321,123 in rent for both spaces, according to the agenda. The company has flown multiple testbed aircraft retrofitted with hydrogen and electric powertrains, including in California, and recently reached a Federal Aviation Administration milestone to build a 600-kilowatt electric propulsion system. "SCK provides us with an excellent environment to continue our work on liquid hydrogen refueling systems for hydrogen aircraft in California," CEO Val Miftakhov said. "Along with high temperature fuel cells and advanced electric motors, liquid hydrogen systems are a critical building block for scaling hydrogen-electric engines into ever larger aircraft. We are leading the innovation in all three areas to deliver a clean future of flight, and our work in Stockton will be a key part of realizing that mission." For more information about the program, flights, and other activities at the airport, visit
