REGENT
REGENT, headquartered in Rhode Island, is pioneering the development of the seaglider, a zero-emission, all-electric vehicle designed for high-speed coastal transportation, with its first product, the 12-passenger Viceroy, set to launch by 2025.
Company Overview
REGENT, headquartered in Rhode Island, is a venture-backed company pioneering a new mode of regional transportation. Focused on redefining regional mobility by mid-decade, REGENT is developing seagliders, an innovative all-electric, hydrofoiling boat-plane designed to operate within a wingspan of the water's surface. Seagliders are regulated by maritime authorities and provide zero operational emissions using 100% battery-electric power. The company has a team of 40 and participates in the aviation and space sub-industry within the industrials sector, with operational locations in North Kingstown, RI, and Boston, MA.
Seagliders
REGENT's first product is the seaglider, an all-electric, hydrofoiling boat-plane. Seagliders operate in three modes: floating on the hull, using the hydrofoil, and flight within ground effect above the water's surface. The company has de-risked the technology with a quarter-scale 400 lb flying demonstration vehicle and a full-scale wing test section. The 12-passenger flagship vehicle, Viceroy, aims for commercial service delivery by 2025. REGENT’s seagliders, including future larger models such as Monarch, promise a 160 nautical mile range and 160 kt cruise speed under current battery technology.
Market and Customers
REGENT's primary customers include airlines and ferry companies, with $8B in provisional orders accumulated within two years. The company plans to launch its first commercial seaglider service with the 12-seat Viceroy by mid-decade. Noteworthy investors include Thiel Capital, Founders Fund, Mark Cuban, Y Combinator, Japan Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, and Mesa Airlines. The focus is on high-speed, zero-emission coastal transportation, exclusively operating over water.
Safety and Regulation
Safety is paramount for REGENT, with seagliders undergoing rigorous design, analysis, and testing similar to commercial aircraft and high-speed ferry vessels. The seagliders are distinct from previous wing-in-ground-effect vehicles through hydrofoils, distributed electric propulsion, and aerospace fly-by-wire controls. They are regulated as maritime vessels by national maritime authorities and international conventions overseen by the International Maritime Organization (IMO).
Investment and Financial Backing
REGENT has raised $50M in funding from various investors including Thiel Capital, JAM Fund, Mesa Air Group, Mark Cuban, Y Combinator, Founders Fund, Caffeinated Capital, and Fitbit founder James Park. This financial backing underscores confidence in the company’s potential to revolutionize regional transportation through its innovative seagliders. As a Y-Combinator W21 batch participant, REGENT has garnered significant support and recognition in the industry.