Skyryse
Category: Robotics / Embodied AI
Skyryse builds SkyOS, a universal flight-control operating system that automates and simplifies flying across helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft. Skyryse was founded in 2016. The company is led by Mark Groden. Based in El Segundo, California, USA. Team size: 101-500. Total funding raised: $605.0M. Latest round: Series C. Key investors include Autopilot Ventures, Fidelity Management & Research Company, ArrowMark Partners, Atreides Management LP, BAM Elevate, Baron Capital Group.
- Founded
- 2016
- Headquarters
- El Segundo, California, USA
- Team size
- 101-500
- Total funding
- $605.0M
Value proposition
SkyOS retrofits any aircraft with automated flight controls, envelope protection, and emergency management to dramatically improve aviation safety while reducing pilot workload and training requirements.
Products and solutions
SkyOS (universal flight automation operating system), Skyryse One (production automated helicopter), civil and defense aircraft automation retrofit kits.
Unique value
Only aircraft-agnostic universal flight operating system pursuing full FAA type certification, applicable across rotorcraft (e.g., Black Hawk) and fixed-wing platforms.
Target customer
Commercial helicopter operators, U.S. military, law enforcement, emergency medical services, disaster response agencies, and private aircraft operators.
Industries served
Aviation, Defense, Emergency Medical Services, Law Enforcement, Disaster Response
Technology advantage
Triply-redundant flight-control computer architecture with FAA final design approval (2025); automated zero-visibility landing, autorotation, and envelope protection systems; aircraft-agnostic retrofit design.
How they differentiate
Positions SkyOS as a universal, aircraft-agnostic operating system (vs. competitors' single-platform automation), with FAA final design approval already secured and a production aircraft (Skyryse One) already flying.
Main competitors
Merlin Labs, Reliable Robotics, Xwing, Daedalean
Key partnerships
U.S. military (Black Hawk platform integration), law enforcement agencies, private operators, emergency medical and disaster response organizations.
Major milestones
2016: Founded by Mark Groden, 2025: FAA final design approval for SkyOS flight control computers, Feb 2026: Raised $300M+ Series C at $1.15B valuation, becoming an aviation unicorn, ongoing FAA certification push and Black Hawk platform integration.
Growth metrics
Reached $1.15B valuation (unicorn status) as of Feb 2026 Series C; FAA granted final design approval for SkyOS flight control computers in 2025.
Market positioning
Aviation technology unicorn ($1.15B valuation) leading FAA-certified universal flight automation, spanning both civil and defense aircraft.
Geographic focus
United States, with global aviation ambitions
About Mark Groden
Founded Skyryse in 2016 at age ~24; built world's first micro fixed-wing VTOL UAV at 16 while working with U.S. Air Force lab at Case Western; studied at University of Michigan - Rackham Graduate School.
Latest news about Skyryse
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Official website: https://www.skyryse.com