Toulouse-based aerospace startup Aura Aero has secured a major €340 million funding round to accelerate its dual-track strategy of developing both a hybrid-electric regional aircraft and a next-generation military trainer jet. The investment, one of the largest in the European aerospace sector this year, was led by a consortium of French industrial giants and a US fund, signaling strong confidence in the company's technical and industrial roadmap.
The funding round was anchored by French engine manufacturer Safran, energy group EDF through its corporate venture arm EDF Pulse Croissance, and American fund Blast. The capital injection will be used to advance two flagship programs: the Integral E, a 19-seat hybrid-electric regional aircraft, and the ERA (Electric Regional Aircraft), a larger 90-seat hybrid-electric plane developed in partnership with French aerospace research agency ONERA. Concurrently, Aura Aero is developing the Fury, a single-engine military trainer jet designed for pilot training and light attack missions.
A key strategic move underpinning this fundraising is the establishment of a US subsidiary in Florida. This expansion is designed to tap into the American market, particularly for the Fury military trainer, and to leverage local aerospace talent and supply chains. The company plans to create 300 jobs in Florida, complementing its existing workforce of over 500 employees across its Toulouse headquarters and other French sites.
Founded in 2018 by Jérémy Caussade and Wilfried Dufaud, Aura Aero has progressed rapidly. It has already delivered 15 of its two-seat Electric Era training aircraft and holds a portfolio of 350 orders and pre-orders. The new funding will finance the construction of a final assembly line in Toulouse Francazal for the Integral E, with the aim of achieving type certification by 2026 and entering service in 2027. The larger 90-seat ERA is targeting entry into service for 2031.
The involvement of heavyweight industrial partners like Safran and EDF provides not just capital but also critical technological and strategic validation. EDF's participation highlights the energy infrastructure challenges of electrified aviation, while Safran's role as a leading engine supplier is pivotal for propulsion systems. This €340 million round positions Aura Aero as a significant player in the emerging market for sustainable and hybrid-electric aircraft, with a parallel path in the defense sector through its Fury program.