# German startup VARIDION has closed a €30 million equity round and been selected for a €94.5 million EU Innovation Fund grant to build Europe’s first certified electric regional aircraft.
EUACC page: https://www.euacc.ai/briefing/pulse-26
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## Public content

**issue:** 26
**type:** pulse
**date range:** 8 Nov 2026
**tagline:** German startup VARIDION has closed a €30 million equity round and been selected for a €94.5 million EU Innovation Fund grant to build Europe’s first certified electric regional aircraft.
**published at:** 2026-11-08
**sections:** 
  -     **body:** On **5 November**, Munich-based **VARIDION** announced a **€30 million Series A2** led by **SHIFT Invest** and **Invest-NL**, with participation from World Fund, Project A, and Vsquared Ventures.

The European Commission has separately selected the company for a **€94.5 million EU Innovation Fund** grant, supporting the **Carolus project** -- a final assembly line at Oberpfaffenhofen Airport near Munich. The grant agreement is expected in **2027**.

VARIDION is building the **Microliner**, a nine-passenger all-electric aircraft designed for **400 km range** under IFR, targeting **EASA CS-23 certification** and commercial service in **2030**. Total equity raised to date: approximately **€60 million**. Conditional orders: more than **130 aircraft** worth over **€730 million**. Launch customer: **ASL Group**.
    **emoji:** ✈️
    **label:** ELECTRIC AVIATION
    **heading:** VARIDION raises €30M and wins €94.5M EU Innovation Fund selection
  -     **body:** The **EU Innovation Fund** is one of Europe’s most underpublicised large-grant routes for clean and deep tech. It is funded by revenues from the EU carbon market and targets **breakthrough clean technologies at pre-commercial scale** -- clean aviation, energy storage, industrial decarbonisation, hydrogen.

For founders: the VARIDION grant, if signed, would provide **€94.5 million non-dilutive** to build a commercial production facility. The Fund prioritises applicants who have demonstrated market demand. VARIDION’s 130-aircraft conditional order book was central to its selection.

**Entry point:** The EU Innovation Fund runs recurring calls for large-scale and small-scale projects. It is open to companies across all EU member states plus Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein. Applications are assessed by the European Commission’s Climate Action DG.
    **emoji:** 💡
    **label:** WHY IT MATTERS
    **heading:** The EU Innovation Fund path for hard tech

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