LIFT Aircraft
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2017
- HeadquartersAustin, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
LIFT Aircraft firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- LIFT Aircraft
- Legal name
- LIFT Aircraft Inc.
- Website
- https://liftaircraft.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2017
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
LIFT Aircraft industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing (eVTOL) Aircraft
- NAICS
- Aircraft Manufacturing (336411), Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing (33641)
- SIC
- Aircraft (3721), Aircraft & Parts (3720)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Electric & Hybrid-Electric Propulsion (eVTOL/Regional) (IMABADAH)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Air Taxi & Urban Air Mobility (eVTOL) Operators (TLAFAAAD)
Keywords
Where LIFT Aircraft is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Austin
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices3 records
Markets served
LIFT Aircraft business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Pay-Per-Flight Experience: Customers pay per flight session for the HEXA flying experience. The Introductory Flight Experience ($199) includes 2-hour training, VR simulator, and 3-5 minute flight. Beginner Flights ($249) include training and 8-15 minutes of flight. Optional Video Package ($99) adds professional HD video capture of the flight.
- Government/Defense Contracts: LIFT Aircraft generates revenue through US government contracts including Air Force Agility Prime SBIR contracts (Phase 2 and Phase 3) and Army Applications Laboratory SPARTN contracts for autonomous medical logistics and cargo applications. These contracts fund flight testing, use case development, and specialized payload development.
- Video Package Add-On: Optional $99 add-on to capture the flight experience from multiple camera angles, delivered as a beautifully edited HD video on a custom flash drive.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Introductory Flight Experience - $199 per person |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Beginner Flight Experience - $249 per person |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Video Package Add-On - $99 |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Gift Cards - variable amount |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels8 records
LIFT Aircraft product offering
Product offeringCore offering
LIFT Aircraft designs, manufactures, and operates the HEXA family of electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft — an 18-motor multirotor classified as a Powered Ultralight under FAA Part 103. The company delivers HEXA-powered flying experiences through company-owned Experience Centers (pay-per-flight, no pilot's license required), and sells flight testing, R&D, and specialized cargo/medical payload aircraft platforms to US Department of Defense and international government customers.
Product overview
LIFT Aircraft offers a family of eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing) aircraft based on a unified HEXA airframe architecture, available through experiential entertainment venues rather than direct sale. The product line spans three regulatory tiers: HEXA-U (Ultralight, Part 103) for recreational use without a pilot's license, HEXA-S (Sport, MOSAIC LSA) for trained pilots with expanded operational capabilities, and HEXA-C (Type Certified) for full commercial air taxi and autonomous operations. All variants share the core 18-motor distributed electric propulsion platform, amphibious design with floats, and semi-autonomous flight controls. The experience business model provides pay-per-flight access through LIFT Experience Centers, offering VR simulator training and guided flight experiences starting at $199. The company also offers the HEXA Cargo Platform for military and defense logistics applications.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- HEXA: The flagship eVTOL aircraft product line of LIFT Aircraft, including HEXA-U (Ultralight), HEXA-S (Sport/LSA), and HEXA-C (Type Certified) editions.
- HEXA 2
Products and services
- HEXA eVTOL Aircraft Family The flagship electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft family. HEXA-U operates under 14 CFR Part 103 with no pilot's license, lightweight 10 kWh battery packs, and amphibious floats. HEXA-S targets MOSAIC Light Sport Aircraft regulations, requires a pilot's license, with fixed skids, up to 90 mph, and extended range 20 kWh batteries for 25-minute flights. HEXA-C is undergoing full FAA Type Certification for high-frequency commercial use, unmanned and autonomous operations, and air taxi services with 30 kWh Long Range batteries enabling up to 40-minute flight times in instrument/IFR weather conditions.
- HEXA 2 Aircraft Upgrade Major upgrade to the HEXA aircraft platform featuring custom 200A Electronic Speed Controllers with field oriented control (FOC), larger 42-inch carbon fiber propellers with winglets, an upgraded 3x redundant autopilot, and improved sensors. Delivers 33% increase in max thrust, up to 20% increase in flight time, and 15-25% noise reduction versus the prior HEXA generation. ESCs are IP64 weatherized for precipitation operation.
- HEXA 2 Extended Range (ER) Extended range variant of HEXA 2 with breakthrough extended range battery packs using the latest lithium battery chemistries offering up to twice the energy density, enabling up to 30 minutes of flight time.
- HEXA Cargo Platform (Modular Medical Payload Variant) Defense-oriented modular cargo platform variant of HEXA developed for the US Army Applications Laboratory SPARTN program. Designed to transport modular medical payloads including blood supply and casualty evacuation (CASEVAC) with climate control and telemedicine capabilities, supporting autonomous aerial and ground platform deployment.
- Pay-Per-Flight HEXA Experience Bookable experiential flying service delivered at LIFT Experience Centers, the world's first pay-per-flight eVTOL consumer experience. Each session includes 2 hours of ground instruction, VR flight simulator training, and an actual solo flight under instructor guidance — no pilot's license required. Available as Introductory ($199, 3–5 minute flight) and Beginner ($249, 8–15 minute flight) tiers, with an optional $99 HD Video Package add-on.
- LIFT Groups & Events Experience Group-oriented variant of the HEXA flying experience designed for corporate events, private celebrations, and team building. Groups can fly together, communicate via intercom, fly in autonomous formations, and race through augmented reality courses. Sold through a custom event inquiry form rather than per-seat pricing.
Quantifiable outcome
- 10x safer than general aviation aircraft
- +5 more outcomes
Companies that use LIFT Aircraft
Customer profileNamed customers7 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
LIFT Aircraft technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability4 records
Feature10 records
LIFT Aircraft partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Seven partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.
- Marubeni Corporation / Marubeni AerospaceflagshipLIFT Aircraft partnered with Marubeni and Marubeni Aerospace for Japan market development and World Expo 2025 demonstration. Marubeni CSO Tomomichi Mizuno witnessed the historic HEXA flight demonstration at Expo. Partnership aims to bring personal flight experiences to Japan with planned flight operations launching summer 2025.
- Near Earth AutonomycoreLIFT Aircraft partnered with Near Earth Autonomy for US Army Applications Laboratory SPARTN contract to develop autonomous modular medical payload for blood delivery and casualty evacuation (CASEVAC). Near Earth brings history of autonomous aerial systems for medical logistics including Army Combat Medic program and Project Crimson. Partnership addresses Army's 'golden hour' challenge for battlefield medical support.
- US Army Applications LaboratorycoreAwarded SPARTN program contract by US Army Applications Laboratory (AAL) to design autonomous blood delivery and CASEVAC system. Contract is part of Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) funding designed to move at speed of business with reduced time to contract and payment. MAJ Rickey Royal stated Army identified significant need for modular, multi-mission payload with climate control and telemedicine capabilities.
- GMO Internet GroupminorGMO Internet Group participated in LIFT Aircraft's first-ever piloted eVTOL demonstrations in Japan. Masatoshi Kumagai of GMO Internet Group piloted HEXA, successfully completing three flight patterns after approximately one hour of training.
- US Air Force / Agility PrimeflagshipLIFT Aircraft was selected for Air Force Agility Prime initiative in April 2020, receiving $2.5M flight test contract for envelope expansion. Progressed to Phase 3 contract for continued experimentation and use case development including flight testing at Eglin AFB. Air Force provides unmatched expertise, testing resources, and early military application opportunities through this dual-use technology partnership.
- Agility Prime Test Team / USAFcoreLIFT has worked with Air Force subject matter experts under Phase 2 SBIR contract since 2020, achieving military airworthiness approval (military flight release), proving transportability via C-130, and exploring multitude of potential use-cases including emergency first response, personnel transport, base logistics, and search and rescue.
- iFLY Indoor SkydivingminoriFLY founder Alan Metni provided endorsement quote: 'LIFT is doing for flying what iFLY has done with skydiving - making an expensive and inaccessible experience available to everyone.' Metni's endorsement is displayed on LIFT's website as social proof for the business model.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves10 records
Expansion highlights6 records
LIFT Aircraft competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Wisk Aero: Boeing-backed autonomous eVTOL developer pursuing self-flying air taxi service. Overlaps with LIFT's autonomous flight capabilities (HEXA Cargo Platform, Near Earth Autonomy partnership) and targets the same urban air mobility market.
- EHang: Chinese autonomous eVTOL developer with type-certified passenger and logistics aircraft already operating in China. Closest competitor in autonomous passenger eVTOL and an emerging threat in international markets where LIFT is expanding via Marubeni.
- Eve Air Mobility: Embraer subsidiary developing the Eve eVTOL with thousands of pre-orders from operators and lessors. Direct competitor in the commercial air taxi space, leveraging Embraer's aerospace manufacturing scale that LIFT lacks.
- Joby Aviation: Joby is the most-funded eVTOL air taxi developer (NYSE: JOBY), pursuing FAA Type Certification of a 4-seat tilt-rotor eVTOL for commercial passenger service. Direct competitor to LIFT's planned HEXA-C, though operating in a higher passenger-capacity / longer-range segment.
- Archer Aviation: Archer is developing a 4-seat tilt-rotor eVTOL (Midnight) for urban air taxi service with United Airlines as a launch customer. Competitor in the eventual commercial eVTOL air taxi market that LIFT targets with HEXA-C.
- Volocopter: German eVTOL developer of the multi-rotor VoloCity air taxi and VoloDrone cargo platform. Closest direct architectural analog to HEXA (multirotor, distributed electric propulsion) and competitor in both urban air taxi and autonomous cargo markets.
- Beta Technologies: Vermont-based eVTOL developer of the Alia aircraft with both passenger and cargo variants, focused on medical logistics and military/defense customers. Direct overlap with LIFT's Army CASEVAC/Cargo positioning and Part 103-adjacent early commercial strategy.
- Lilium: German eVTOL developer of the Lilium Jet (ducted-fan, 7-seat) targeting regional air mobility. Competes for the same commercial air taxi TAM that LIFT's HEXA-C would address once certified.
Others
- Near Earth Autonomy: LIFT's partner on the US Army SPARTN CASEVAC contract, providing autonomous flight technology. Comparable as an enabling technology player in autonomous eVTOL logistics and a partner (rather than competitor) for LIFT's defense cargo roadmap.
- iFLY Indoor Skydiving: Experiential entertainment franchise explicitly invoked by LIFT's founder Alan Metni endorsement as the business model analog ('LIFT is doing for flying what iFLY has done with skydiving'). Closest comparable in pay-per-experience recreational entertainment scaling, though not an aircraft manufacturer.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
LIFT Aircraft social profiles
Digital presenceLIFT Aircraft financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
LIFT Aircraft leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
LIFT Aircraft funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds7 records
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
LIFT Aircraft M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about LIFT Aircraft
What does LIFT Aircraft do?
LIFT Aircraft designs, manufactures, and operates the HEXA family of electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft — an 18-motor multirotor classified as a Powered Ultralight under FAA Part 103. The company delivers HEXA-powered flying experiences through company-owned Experience Centers (pay-per-flight, no pilot's license required), and sells flight testing, R&D, and specialized cargo/medical payload aircraft platforms to US Department of Defense and international government customers.
Is LIFT Aircraft a public or private company?
LIFT Aircraft is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was LIFT Aircraft founded?
LIFT Aircraft was founded in 2017. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is LIFT Aircraft based?
LIFT Aircraft is headquartered in Austin, United States, in the North America region.
How does LIFT Aircraft make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Pay-Per-Flight Experience is the primary driver. The others are government/Defense Contracts and video Package Add-On.
Who are LIFT Aircraft's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Wisk Aero, EHang, Eve Air Mobility, Joby Aviation, Archer Aviation, Volocopter, Beta Technologies and Lilium. Others are Near Earth Autonomy and iFLY Indoor Skydiving.
Does LIFT Aircraft have an API?
No public API is recorded for LIFT Aircraft.
What industry is LIFT Aircraft in?
LIFT Aircraft's product category is Electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing (eVTOL) Aircraft. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMABADAH, Electric & Hybrid-Electric Propulsion (eVTOL/Regional), with a secondary code of TLAFAAAD, Air Taxi & Urban Air Mobility (eVTOL) Operators. Its NAICS code is 336411 and its SIC code is 3721.