Lilium GmbH (Lilium N.V.) Overview
Pro stress-test →Lilium was a German aerospace company developing the Lilium Jet, an electrically powered personal air vehicle capable of VTOL flight. The company ceased operations on December 20, 2024, and laid off about 1,000 workers. In February 2025, the company filed for insolvency, as promised investment funding from Marian Boček never materialized.
Strategic Profile
Pro stress-test →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.
Competitive Landscape
Pro stress-test →Lilium competed in the emerging eVTOL urban air mobility sector against companies like Joby Aviation, Archer Aviation, Vertical Aerospace, and Volocopter. Other German eVTOL developer Volocopter sought new investors, Airbus paused CityAirbus NextGen development citing battery concerns, and Eviation laid off most staff. The sector faces structural challenges in battery technology maturity and venture capital sustainability.
Industry Context
Lilium GmbH (Lilium N.V.) operates in Electric Vertical Takeoff & Landing (eVTOL) / Regional Air Mobility (RAM).
Key facts
Founded: 2015 · Headquarters: Munich/Gauting, Germany · Employees: 0 (ceased operations December 2024)