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All-electric seagliders for fast, affordable regional transportation
REGENT has raised $87.0M across 3 funding rounds.
Key people at REGENT.
REGENT was founded in 2020 by Michael Klinker (Founder) and Billy Thalheimer (Founder).
REGENT has raised $87.0M in total across 3 funding rounds.
REGENT is building a new mode of transportation that will redefine regional mobility by 2026. Their first product, the seaglider, is an all-electric, hydrofoiling flying-boat that operates within a wingspan of the water's surface. By flying low on a cushion of air, seagliders unlock the ability to fly twice as far as an electric aircraft, while being regulated by maritime authorities enabling market entry for a fraction of the cost.
REGENT has de-risked seaglider technology with a ¼-scale flying demonstration vehicle. By this summer, REGENT will fly humans on the 15,000 lb (7000kg) first full-scale prototype seaglider, which will be the largest electric-flying machine in history.
By late 2026, REGENT’s customers - airlines and ferry companies – will begin commercial seaglider service on the 12-seat initial product. A 100 passenger version, already with firm orders, will follow several years later.
In just four years, REGENT has accumulated >$10B in pre-orders (including firm deposits) from airlines and ferry companies around the world. Currently a team of 100, REGENT is led by MIT-trained, ex-Boeing engineers Billy Thalheimer and Mike Klinker. REGENT has raised over $100M to date from the likes of Founders Fund, Japan Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines and Lockheed Martin, and is on contract with the US Marine Corps.
REGENT was founded in 2020 by Michael Klinker (Founder) and Billy Thalheimer (Founder).
REGENT has raised $87.0M in total across 3 funding rounds.
REGENT's investors include Kerem Ozmen, Delian Asparouhov, Mark Cuban, Caffeinated Capital, Future Planet Capital, Yasushi Noda, Lockheed Martin, NB Ventures, Point72, Takaaki Adachi, JAM Fund, Peter Thiel.
Key people at REGENT.
REGENT is a pioneering company developing all-electric seagliders, a new mode of regional transportation that combines the speed of aircraft with the convenience of boats. Their flagship product, the Seaglider, is an all-electric, hydrofoiling flying-boat that operates just above the water’s surface using ground-effect technology, enabling it to fly twice as far as typical electric aircraft while being regulated as a maritime vessel. This allows for faster, affordable, and zero-emission coastal travel, targeting airlines, ferry companies, and commuters. The initial 12-seat model is set for commercial service by 2026, with a larger 100-passenger version already receiving firm orders. REGENT has amassed over $10 billion in pre-orders and raised more than $100 million from investors including Founders Fund, Japan Airlines, and Lockheed Martin, reflecting strong growth momentum and market validation[1][2][5].
Founded in 2020 by MIT-trained engineers Billy Thalheimer and Mike Klinker, REGENT emerged from their vision to create carbon-free, high-speed regional transportation by merging aerospace and maritime technologies. Both founders brought extensive experience from Boeing and electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft development. The idea of the Seaglider evolved from the desire to overcome the limitations of electric aircraft range and certification by leveraging wing-in-ground-effect (WIG) technology, allowing the craft to operate as a boat regulated by maritime authorities. Early traction included successful quarter-scale prototype flights and securing significant pre-orders and strategic partnerships, such as with Japan Airlines and the US Marine Corps[1][4][6].
REGENT rides the convergence of several key trends: the urgent global push for zero-emission transportation, advances in electric propulsion, and the search for efficient regional mobility solutions that bypass congested airports and highways. The timing is critical as governments and industries increasingly prioritize decarbonization and new mobility modes. By innovating in the wing-in-ground-effect vehicle space, REGENT is bridging maritime and aviation technologies, influencing both sectors and expanding the ecosystem for electric regional transport. Its technology also holds potential for defense applications, enhancing maritime logistics and interoperability[4][6][7].
REGENT is poised to transform regional coastal travel with its all-electric Seaglider, targeting commercial service launch in 2026 and scaling to larger passenger capacities by the decade’s end. Future trends shaping its journey include growing environmental regulations, rising demand for fast, affordable regional transport, and advances in battery and electric propulsion technologies. The company’s influence may expand beyond commercial travel into military and logistics sectors, supported by strategic partnerships and global manufacturing expansion. As the first mover in this niche, REGENT’s success could redefine how coastal regions connect, offering a sustainable alternative to traditional ferries and short-haul flights, fulfilling its mission of fast, affordable, zero-emission regional mobility[1][5][6].
REGENT has raised $87.0M across 3 funding rounds. Most recently, it raised $60.0M Series A in October 2023.
| Date | Round | Lead Investors | Other Investors |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 6, 2023 | $60.0M Series A | Kerem Ozmen, Delian Asparouhov | Mark Cuban, Caffeinated Capital, Future Planet Capital, Yasushi Noda, Lockheed Martin, NB Ventures, Point72, Takaaki Adachi |
| Feb 4, 2022 | $18.0M Other Equity | JAM Fund, Peter Thiel | James Park, Mark Cuban, Jonathan G. Ornstein |
| Apr 23, 2021 | $9.0M Seed | Raymond Tonsing | Mark Cuban, Peter Thiel, Thiel Capital, Y Combinator |
