Planetary Health

Why We Invested in Pyka

Cleaner, safer, cost-effective aviation

Andrew Beebe | 09/23/2024

At Obvious, we’re big believers in electric mobility. We knew electric vehicles–cars, buses, and trucks—would go mainstream quickly and invested heavily in this area, from electrifying fleets to electrifying RVs. 

In keeping one step ahead, we see the electrification of aviation just around the corner. Flying is one of the world’s most carbon-intensive activities. In the near future, we foresee electric passenger jets. One important step in this direction is electric flight without passengers. 

That’s why we’ve invested in Pyka. Obvious recently led the company’s $40M Series B, with participation from Prelude Ventures, Piva Capital, Catapult Ventures, and others. 

Pyka is an emerging leader in the development and deployment of autonomous electric aircraft for agricultural spraying and cargo delivery. Not only is electric flight better for the planet, using pilotless planes for crop dusting takes humans out of this dirty, dangerous work. Being an agricultural pilot, or crop duster, is the third most dangerous job in America, due to accident risk and pesticide exposure. Ag pilots have a death rate 3 times higher than commercial aviation pilots. 

While many aerospace companies have been focused on the extremely long, slow, and expensive certification process for passenger aircraft, Pyka set their sights on getting into the air and into business. They have developed two aircraft. Pelican Spray has a payload of 700 pounds and is currently used for agricultural spraying in Latin America. Pelican Cargo has a 400-pound capacity and can travel for distances of up to 200 miles.

Any investment in Pyka is, above all, an investment in their team. Co-founders Michael Norcia, Chuma Ogunwole, Nathan White, and Kyle Moore have deep experience spanning autonomous aviation, engineering, power, and renewables. Their mission-driven focus on electrification and decarbonization aligns with ours.

Next on the horizon for Pyka is package delivery and moving freight. Whether you’re an island nation in the Caribbean or an island off the coast of Maine, electric aviation holds the promise of bringing people in rural communities what they need. Over the next five years, we’re excited to watch Pyka become a premier electric aviation company and to watch them soar.