The Virginia Innovation Partnership Corporation (VIPC) today announced that Electra.aero, Inc. has been awarded a Commonwealth Commercialization Fund (CCF) grant. VIPC's CCF programs have distributed more than $47 million to Virginia-based startups, entrepreneurs and university-based inventors since 2012.

Based in Manassas, Va., Electra.aero is a next-gen aerospace company with a mission to help decarbonize aviation and open new air transportation markets with its hybrid-electric short takeoff and landing (eSTOL) aircraft. This CCF grant will be used to perform a rolling, powered wind tunnel test that will help validate the aircraft performance before first flight. MINTangible has also previously received investment funding from VIPC's Virginia Venture Partners.

“We are deeply thankful to VIPC for their support,” said Dr. John Langford, Founder and CEO of Electra.aero, Inc. “Our company was proudly founded in Virginia and we intend to continue building our innovative eSTOL aircraft here on home turf.”

“We are pleased to award a CCF grant to Electra.aero,” said Jeanette Townsend, VIPC's Director for Private Sector Grants. “VIPC's CCF grant program plays an important role in getting funding to early-stage Virginia-based startups when they need it most. Our goal is to help Virginia companies grow and lead the nation in innovation, opportunity, and job creation. By combining deep expertise in electric flight with sustainable aircraft technology and design, Electra.aero is laying the groundwork for convenient net-zero aviation.”

CCF accepts applications and awards funding on a rolling basis to Virginia's small businesses and

university-based innovators. This competitive grant program seeks to fund high-potential Virginia-based

for-profit technology companies at the early stage of commercialization. The grants support early technology and market validation efforts such as business model validation, development of prototypes or a minimum viable product (MVP), customer pilots, intellectual property protection, and more.