Skyportz Closes Fundraise as Australia Releases Over $18M in AAM Grants

by DRONELIFE Staff Writer Ian M. Crosby

Yesterday, Australia’s Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government issued $18M in grants as a part of the first round of the New and Emerging Aviation Technology Partnerships.

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The move highlights the strong policy support for Advanced Air Mobility in Australia at a Federal Government level and aligns with the recent roadmap published by air regulator CASA on the development of Australia’s drone and air taxi market.

“The Emerging Aviation Technology Partnerships Program will ensure our aviation sector remains at the forefront of innovation as it continues to develop and grow, particularly with renewed focus on achieving net zero carbon emissions”, said Minister Catherine King

Skyportz, Australia’s sole vertiport infrastructure company, has been working for 4 years to highlight the importance of developing Advanced Air Mobility policy at all Government levels, with an emphasis on essential vertiport infrastructure.

“We are really pleased about this announcement as it is putting resources into drones and air taxi developments that will one day need our network of vertiports to fulfil their potential”, said Skyportz CEO Clem Newton-Brown.

Skyportz has more than 400 potential sites owned by property partners intending to break into this emerging industry. The company is set to close its second seed fundraiser on November 10th for the development of its first prototype vertiport. More than 180 new investors will bring the total equity shareholder number to over 600 investors.

“The key to this industry is breaking the nexus between aviation and existing airports,” said Newton-Brown. “We need to develop a network of new vertiport sites if the industry is to reach its potential and Skyportz is readying the landscape to partner with infrastructure investors.”

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Ian attended Dominican University of California, where he received a BA in English in 2019. With a lifelong passion for writing and storytelling and a keen interest in technology, he is now contributing to DroneLife as a staff writer.