Val Miftakhov (ZeroAvia)

Overview

Val Miftakhov is a prominent cleantech entrepreneur recognized for his pioneering work in zero-emission aviation with his company, ZeroAvia. Born in the Soviet Union, Miftakhov moved to the United States to further his education, earning a Ph.D. in Physics from Princeton University. Before founding ZeroAvia in 2017, he was involved in several ventures, notably eMotorWerks, which became a leading platform for EV charging and grid services. Miftakhov's vision for ZeroAvia is focused on developing hydrogen-electric powertrains that aim to significantly reduce the aviation industry's carbon footprint.

Recent Developments

November 2024: ZeroAvia announced its completion of a $150 million Series C funding round co-led by Airbus, with contributions from American Airlines, Amazon Climate Pledge Fund, and NEOM Investment Fund. The investment will accelerate the certification of ZeroAvia's hydrogen-electric powertrain systems.
September 2024: ZeroAvia revealed a strategic partnership with ITOCHU Corporation to expand clean aviation efforts across Asia, alongside a conditional commitment from American Airlines to purchase 100 ZeroAvia powertrains.
July 2024: The company partnered with JEKTA to develop hydrogen-electric amphibious aircraft, showcasing its fuel cell technology at the Farnborough Airshow.
January 2024: ZeroAvia was named in the Global Cleantech 100 list for its significant contributions to sustainable aviation innovation.
November 2023: ZeroAvia conducted its largest hydrogen-electric powered flight using a 19-seat Dornier 228 aircraft as part of the HyFlyer II project, moving closer to commercializing zero-emission regional flights.
October 2023: TIME recognized ZeroAvia and Miftakhov as influential leaders in climate business, celebrating their innovative contributions to clean aviation technology.
May 2023: ZeroAvia unveiled plans to go public by 2026 to support broader commercialization of zero-emission engines for regional aircraft.

Personal Information

Attribute	Information
Full Name	Valery Miftakhov
Born	USSR
Nationality	American
Occupation	Founder and CEO, ZeroAvia
Known For	Zero-emission aviation powertrains
Net Worth	Not publicly disclosed
Education	Ph.D. in Physics, Princeton University; MS from Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology

Early Life and Education

Val Miftakhov was born in the Soviet Union, where he exhibited strong academic prowess, especially in physics, winning national competitions. Seeking further opportunities, he moved to the United States in 1997, enrolling at Princeton University for a graduate degree in physics. At Princeton, Miftakhov participated in groundbreaking research at the Stanford Linear Accelerator. His early exposure to Silicon Valley's tech boom inspired him to pursue entrepreneurship alongside academics, setting the stage for his future ventures in cleantech and sustainable innovations.

Career and Notable Achievements

Val Miftakhov's career began in the corridors of academia and research. His transition to the corporate and innovation sphere saw him assuming strategic roles at McKinsey & Company and Google. In 2010, Miftakhov founded eMotorWerks, focusing on smart grid solutions for electric vehicles. eMotorWerks became a leader in its field and was later acquired by the Italian energy group Enel. In 2017, Miftakhov launched ZeroAvia with a mission to decarbonize aviation through hydrogen-electric technology. ZeroAvia quickly became a front-runner in zero-emission flight, with successful test flights and collaborations with major airlines and aircraft manufacturers.

Current Work and Impact

Currently, Val Miftakhov leads ZeroAvia in its mission to bring hydrogen-electric aviation to commercial viability. The company’s focus is on certifying their first powertrains for commercial use by 2025, aimed at 9-19 seat aircraft. The ongoing partnerships and financing rounds underscore the significant support and belief in ZeroAvia's potential to redefine aviation energy sources. Miftakhov remains a vocal advocate for clean propulsion technologies in aviation, positioning ZeroAvia as a key player in reducing the sector's carbon footprint and influencing global policy towards sustainable aviation.

Val Miftakhov Net Worth

Val Miftakhov's net worth is not publicly available, though his ventures, especially ZeroAvia, have attracted significant funding and partnerships which indicate his influential status within the industry.

Val Miftakhov Bio

Val Miftakhov, a physicist turned entrepreneur, has made significant strides in developing clean technologies for transportation. His dedication is evident in his leadership at ZeroAvia, where he champions hydrogen-electric power as a means to transition aviation towards a sustainable future.

Conclusion

Val Miftakhov's contributions to the cleantech industry, particularly in aviation, are shaping the future of flight technologies. As ZeroAvia progresses toward commercializing hydrogen-electric propulsion, Miftakhov's vision may lead to a significant reduction in aviation-related emissions. His efforts in pushing the boundaries of innovation in clean energy continue to inspire industry-wide changes, positioning ZeroAvia at the forefront of a new era in air travel.