Gasgoo Munich- TransFuture Aviation, a Chinese developer of fully tilting eVTOLs, has closed a Pre-A+ funding round exceeding 100 million yuan. Led by Ant Group with participation from Bi'an Times and Fosun Chuangfu, the capital will primarily fast-track airworthiness certification for its Honghu series eVTOLs, while driving innovation and deployment in low-altitude travel and commercial applications.Spun out of the Intelligent Aircraft Comprehensive Design Team at Northwestern Polytechnical University’s School of Aeronautics, the startup focuses on fully tilting eVTOL technology. It has independently developed the Honghu series, with the full-scale engineering prototype—the Honghu Mark1—rolling off the assembly line and completing its maiden flight in December 2024.Image Credit: TransFuture AviationIn September 2025, the Honghu secured official acceptance of its airworthiness application from the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC). This makes it only the second eVTOL developer globally—after California-based Joby Aviation—to achieve full-tilt transition flight, and the first in China to enter the airworthiness certification process for this type of aircraft.TransFuture Aviation is making steady headway on validating critical technologies, including tilt transition flight, while pursuing type certification for both cargo and passenger variants. The company is also accelerating its commercial rollout, with significant progress reported across all fronts.Commercially, the startup is pursuing a "cargo-before-passenger" strategy. It prioritizes demonstration and commercial operations in logistics, air mobility, and emergency rescue. From there, it plans to gradually move passenger models through the full lifecycle—from pre-production prototype compliance verification to market launch.In the fourth quarter of last year alone, TransFuture Aviation secured purchase orders from several operators, including Xiangjiang General Aviation, Interstellar Eagle, and Bailu General Aviation, totaling 400 units.On October 23, 2025, TransFuture Aviation inked a strategic partnership with Bailu General Aviation. The two aim to build a comprehensive ecosystem spanning general aviation operations, talent development, and industrial innovation. By leveraging the Honghu series’ technology, they hope to drive business growth and brand elevation in the general aviation sector. As part of the deal, Bailu General Aviation placed an order for 100 Honghu eVTOLs.In November, the company entered into a strategic agreement with Interstellar Eagle to deepen cooperation on the market operation and application of the Honghu series. The partnership focuses on expanding low-altitude business and upgrading brand presence in East China. Concurrently, Interstellar Eagle ordered 200 Honghu eVTOLs.That same month, TransFuture Aviation signed an intent-to-purchase agreement with Xiangjiang General Aviation for 100 Honghu eVTOLs, a deal valued at over 1 billion yuan.About Seeds Discovery:Gasgoo’s "Seeds Discovery" column is designed as a bridge connecting startups, ecosystem partners, investors, and local governments, empowering the entire automotive supply chain. Since its inception, the column has sought to identify promising companies, technologies, and business models that are shaping the intelligent transformation. According to Gasgoo data, nearly every startup featured in Seeds Discovery has successfully connected with critical industrial ecosystem resources.
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