The new funds will be allocated primarily to the first Microliner prototypes that meet certification, as well as integrated battery and propulsion system testing. In parallel, the European Commission has selected the CAROLUS project to receive funding from the EU Innovation Fund. The €94.5 million grant is intended to support the establishment of a final assembly line at Oberpfaffenhofen Airport and the increase in production.
The new €30 million Series A2 financing round is led by SHIFT Invest and Invest-NL. Other participants include existing investors such as World Fund, Project A and Vsquared Ventures, as well as deep tech investor Alexander Rittweger. Combined with previous public funding, Vaeridion says it has raised approximately €60 million to date.
However, financing has not yet been definitively approved. Vaeridion was selected as one of the top twelve projects out of 358 applications. The financing agreement is expected to be signed in 2027.
Microliner aims to fly up to 400 km – electrically
The Microliner is designed as an all-electric regional airliner with seating for nine passengers. Under instrument flight rules, Vaeridion targets a range of 400 km; With four passengers in visual flight conditions, the range extends up to 550 km. In addition to the passenger version, a cargo variant is also planned. The aircraft is being developed in accordance with the requirements of the EASA CS-23 category.
Technically, Vaeridion is based on a glider-inspired wing, an integrated modular battery system, and multiple electric motors driving a common propeller. Since March 2026, the company has been operating a production and test facility in Oberpfaffenhofen, where the electric motor was recently put into operation for the first time. The battery packs and propulsion system will then be integrated into a ground test bed, known as “Copper Bird.”
Vaeridion has also moved forward in the certification process. According to the company, the preliminary design review and a second pre-application contract with EASA were completed in the last twelve months.
In 2025, the startup took over a special building in Oberpfaffenhofen that was previously used by Lilium for battery development and manufacturing. With planned funding from CAROLUS, the site will be further industrialized and expanded to include final assembly of the Microliner.
Vaeridion also highlights the purchase commitments of more than 130 aircraft, with a total value of more than 730 million euros. The company names ASL Group as its first client. In addition, companies such as KLM, BayernLB and TrueNoord support Vaeridion through a Market Advisory Committee.
The Microliner will be developed in Munich and Delft and built in Bavaria. Vaeridion plans to further expand its team in Europe and focus in the coming years mainly on industrialization and certification.
handelsblatt.com (DE), vaeridion.com
