Electric Vertical Takeoff & Landing (eVTOL) / Regional Air Mobility (RAM)
Strategic Profile
Founded in 2015 by four graduate engineering students at the Technical University of Munich, the company was developing an aircraft that could carry a pilot and as many as six passengers over distances of up to 175 kilometres. Lilium had pre-orders for more than 700 aircraft, with 106 confirmed orders and reservations. However, the company's ambitious 2026 market entry target proved unachievable due to critical funding shortfalls.
Cyborg Score Rationale
The company ran out of cash in October 2024, and despite securing an agreement with investors for a 210 million euro injection, the deal ultimately collapsed. After failing to settle an agreement with the Bavarian Government to secure a €50 million loan, the company filed for self-administration. The business model was fundamentally compromised by inability to secure sustained funding.
Top Insights
Complete operational shutdown: Ceased all operations December 2024 with ~1,000 employee layoffs; filed for insolvency February 2025
Funding collapse: Failed to secure €50M Bavarian government guarantee; promised €210M investor deal never materialized
Advanced technical progress lost: Company achieved first-ever EASA SC-VTOL type certificate eligibility and FAA certification bases despite operational failure
Industry contagion risk: Lilium's collapse follows similar financial crises at Volocopter and Eviation, signaling broader eVTOL funding and battery technology challenges
Named Competitors
Joby Aviation S-4 — eVTOL air taxi developer with FAA approval pathway
Archer Midnight — Electric VTOL aircraft manufacturer pursuing certification