Lilium – Strategic-Technological Analysis (Germany)

Lilium is a German high-tech startup developing an all-electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) jet for regional air mobility. Founded in 2015 by engineers from the Technical University of Munich[1], Lilium has rapidly grown into a European “unicorn” with nearly 1,000 staff (including ~500 aerospace engineers[2]). The company’s flagship Lilium Jet uses 30 battery-electric ducted fans embedded in movable wing flaps[3]. This configuration enables vertical lift and high-speed cruise with zero operational emissions[4][3]. After initial seed support from EU innovation programs (notably EIT Climate‑KIC)[5], Lilium raised hundreds of millions of dollars from venture investors (including Tencent and other global firms) and via a U.S. SPAC listing[6][7]. Today Lilium’s engineering and manufacturing base is centered in Munich (with facilities at nearby Oberpfaffenhofen/Wessling)[2][8], and it maintains teams across Europe and the U.S.