GE Aerospace said on Thursday it will invest $300 million in electric aviation startup Beta Technologies and jointly develop a hybrid-electric turbogenerator for next-generation aircraft, marking a significant bet on hybrid propulsion in the advanced air mobility sector.
The deal, which is subject to regulatory approval, will give GE the right to appoint a director to Beta’s board. If completed, the funding round will bring Beta’s total capital raised to about $1.45 billion, adding GE to a roster of investors that includes Amazon’s Climate Pledge Fund and Fidelity Management & Research Company.
GE Aerospace, a leading supplier of jet and turboprop engines, will contribute components and infrastructure from its existing engine family. Beta, best known for its Alia electric aircraft platform, will provide expertise in high-performance electric propulsion systems. The companies said the new hybrid system is designed to increase aircraft range and payload while improving overall performance.
The announcement comes as hybrid-electric solutions attract growing attention in advanced air mobility (AAM), an umbrella term for emerging aviation concepts including eVTOLs and hydrogen-powered aircraft. Manufacturers are increasingly exploring hybrid systems that combine turbines with electric propulsion to extend flight times and expand operational use cases.
Beta is pursuing certification of its Alia aircraft, which includes both a conventional take-off and landing version and an eVTOL model. The GE partnership underscores growing industry interest in hybrid-electric architectures as a potential bridge technology between today’s combustion-powered aircraft and fully electric designs of the future.