Supernal, Hyundai’s electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) startup, is moving its global headquarters from Washington, D.C., to Irvine, California, in a bid to streamline operations and improve team collaboration. The relocation will affect around 5% of Supernal’s workforce, or approximately 35 to 40 employees, who have been asked to transfer to California.
The shift comes a little over a year after Supernal inaugurated its 28,000-square-foot office in Washington, D.C., designed as a hub for its policy and regulatory work. While the D.C. office will remain operational, most of its staff are impacted by the move, with LinkedIn data suggesting about 45 employees are currently based there. Supernal also operates an engineering headquarters in Irvine and an R&D facility in Fremont, California.
In a statement to TechCrunch, Jaiwon Shin, CEO of Supernal and president of Hyundai Motor Group, emphasized the move’s aim to enhance team collaboration. Shin reassured that the startup remains on track to launch its eVTOL service by 2028.
Supernal, spun off from Hyundai’s urban air mobility division in 2021, now employs roughly 700 people. The eVTOL sector continues to face challenges, with companies like Volocopter and Lilium struggling financially. However, industry players like Toyota-backed Joby Aviation are forging ahead, targeting a 2025 commercial debut.
