Government Funding Accelerates Horizon Aircraft Hybrid eVTOL Development Through Research Collaboration

Rhea-AI Summary

Horizon Aircraft (NASDAQ: HOVR), a developer of hybrid electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft, has secured a $450,000 NSERC Applied Research and Development grant. This funding, combined with previous grants, brings the total NSERC Federal funding to over $3.4 million.

The company is collaborating with Fleming College and Ontario Tech University on hybrid-electric eVTOL development through a multi-year NSERC-funded partnership. Horizon Aircraft recently achieved a significant milestone with the world's first successful fan-in-wing transition flight using their HOVR wing technology and is currently constructing a piloted, full-scale hybrid electric VTOL prototype aircraft.

Positive

• Secured additional $450,000 in non-dilutive government funding
• Total NSERC Federal funding reached $3.4 million
• Successfully completed world's first fan-in-wing transition flight
• Strategic partnerships with Fleming College and Ontario Tech University

Negative

• None.

Insights

Aerospace Technology Expert

Horizon Aircraft secures $450K in non-dilutive government funding, accelerating its hybrid eVTOL development with strong institutional backing.

The $450,000 NSERC grant awarded to Horizon Aircraft represents a significant development in the company's funding strategy. By bringing total federal support to over $3.4 million, this non-dilutive financing strengthens Horizon's capital position without diluting existing shareholders—a crucial advantage for an early-stage aerospace company with high capital requirements.

What's technically significant here is Horizon's recent achievement of the "world's first successful fan-in-wing transition flight" with their HOVR wing technology. This milestone represents a critical engineering hurdle in eVTOL development. The fan-in-wing configuration addresses one of the fundamental challenges in VTOL aircraft: efficiently transitioning between hover and forward flight while maintaining stability. Most competing designs use separate propulsion systems for vertical and horizontal flight, adding weight and complexity.

The collaborative nature of this funding, involving Fleming College and Ontario Tech University, gives Horizon access to specialized expertise in applied engineering and advanced manufacturing—two areas critical for moving from prototype to commercialization. This academic-industry partnership model has proven effective in aerospace innovation, offering resources beyond what typical startup funding provides.

For context, government backing in this sector doesn't just provide capital; it signals technical validation and typically comes with fewer strings than venture funding. The company's focus on hybrid-electric propulsion (rather than fully electric) represents a pragmatic approach to the current limitations of battery technology, potentially enabling greater range and payload capacity than pure electric competitors.

~ Applied Research and Development Grant Brings Total NSERC Federal Funding to More Than $3.4M ~

TORONTO, July 31, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- New Horizon Aircraft (NASDAQ: HOVR), doing business as Horizon Aircraft (“Horizon Aircraft” or the “Company”), an advanced aerospace engineering company and developer of one of the world’s first hybrid electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft, today announced that, together with its collaboration partners, it has received a Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) of Canada Applied Research and Development (ARD) grant totaling $450,000, bringing the total NSERC Federal funding collaborative to more than $3.4 million. Fleming College and Ontario Tech University bring complementary strengths in applied engineering and advanced manufacturing, supporting Horizon Aircraft’s hybrid‑electric eVTOL development through a multi-year NSERC-funded collaboration.

"I am grateful for the Canadian government’s continued support of Horizon Aircraft,” said Brandon Robinson, CEO of Horizon Aircraft. “Canada’s continued support demonstrates the recognition of the strategic importance of cutting-edge aerospace development and that it is clearly looking to build upon that national strength. This support has accelerated our ability to attract and retain skilled workers, develop world-class innovative technologies, and bolster Canadian industry. This type of non-dilutive financing is a significant win for our expanding shareholder base that is showing commitment and confidence in our team’s ability to execute.”

Horizon Aircraft recently announced the world’s first successful fan-in-wing transition flight with its elegant HOVR wing technology and is currently building a piloted, full-scale hybrid electric VTOL prototype aircraft.

About Horizon Aircraft

Horizon Aircraft (NASDAQ: HOVR) is an advanced aerospace engineering company that is developing one of the world’s first hybrid eVTOL that is to be able to fly most of its mission exactly like a normal aircraft while offering industry-leading speed, range, and operational utility. Horizon Aircraft’s unique designs put the mission first and prioritize safety, performance, and utility. Horizon intends to successfully complete testing and certification of its Cavorite X7 eVTOL and then scale unit production to meet expected demand from regional operators, emergency service providers, and military customers.

Visit www.horizonaircraft.com for more information.

Forward-Looking Statements

The information in this press release contains certain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements generally are identified by the words “believe,” “project,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “intend,” “strategy,” “aim,” “future,” “opportunity,” “plan,” “may,” “should,” “will,” “would,” “will be,” “will continue,” “will likely result” and similar expressions, but the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. Forward-looking statements are predictions, projections and other statements about future events that are based on current expectations and assumptions and, as a result, are subject to risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ from their expectations, estimates and projections and consequently, you should not rely on these forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. Many factors could cause actual future events to differ materially from the forward-looking statements in this press release, including but not limited to: (i) changes in the markets in which Horizon competes, including with respect to its competitive landscape, technology evolution or regulatory changes; (ii) the risk that Horizon will need to raise additional capital to execute its business plans, which may not be available on acceptable terms or at all; (iii) the lack of useful financial information for an accurate estimate of future capital expenditures and future revenue; (iv) statements regarding Horizon’s industry and market size; (v) financial condition and performance of Horizon, including the condition, liquidity, results of operations, the products, the expected future performance and market opportunities of Horizon; (vi) Horizon’s ability to develop, certify, and manufacture an aircraft that meets its performance expectations; (vii) successful completion of testing and certification of Horizon’s Cavorite X7 eVTOL; (viii) the targeted future production of Horizon’s Cavorite X7 aircraft; and (ix) other factors detailed by us in the Company’s public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), including the disclosures under the heading “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2024, filed with the SEC on August 15, 2024, as amended on March 17, 2025, and subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the SEC and accessible at www.sec.gov. These filings identify and address other important risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events and results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements, and while the Company may elect to update these forward-looking statements at some point in the future, it assumes no obligation to update or revise these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, unless required by applicable law. Horizon does not give any assurance that Horizon will achieve its expectations.

Contacts

Investors:
Matt Chesler, CFA
FNK IR
(646) 809-2183
HOVR@fnkir.com

Media:
Edwina Frawley-Gangahar
EFG Media Relations
+44 7580 174672
edwina@efgmediarelations.com

FAQ

How much NSERC funding has Horizon Aircraft (HOVR) received in total?

Horizon Aircraft has received a total of more than $3.4 million in NSERC Federal funding, with the latest grant being $450,000.

What major milestone did Horizon Aircraft (HOVR) recently achieve?

Horizon Aircraft recently completed the world's first successful fan-in-wing transition flight with its HOVR wing technology.

Who are Horizon Aircraft's (HOVR) research collaboration partners?

Horizon Aircraft is collaborating with Fleming College and Ontario Tech University for their hybrid-electric eVTOL development through a multi-year NSERC-funded partnership.

What is Horizon Aircraft (HOVR) currently developing?

Horizon Aircraft is currently building a piloted, full-scale hybrid electric VTOL prototype aircraft.

How will the new NSERC grant benefit Horizon Aircraft (HOVR)?

The grant will help Horizon Aircraft accelerate their ability to attract and retain skilled workers, develop innovative technologies, and strengthen Canadian industry without diluting shareholder value.