techcrunch.com
Oct 20, 2026
SpaceX alum’s aviation startup, Reliable Robotics, lands $115M, topping $1B valuation
AI-summarised brief · reviewed before publication
Reliable Robotics, a Mountain View startup founded by former SpaceX engineers, secured $115 million in Series D funding, pushing its valuation past $1 billion. The capital, comprising $90 million in equity from Nimble Partners and $25 million debt from Silicon Valley Bank, extends the company’s runway as it pursues FAA certification for its autonomous flight system. The firm aims to certify a continuous autopilot, a pilot‑removal system, a solid‑state collision‑avoidance radar, and its own airline, Reliable Airlines, which operates six Cessna Caravans in Albuquerque.
💡 Why It Matters
- · The funding signals growing confidence in autonomous aviation, potentially reshaping commercial flight operations and safety standards.
- · It positions Reliable Robotics as a key player in a market where regulatory approval is the decisive barrier to widespread adoption.
