Pardoned Nikola Founder Targets $1B for AI-Powered Aviation Venture

A New Chapter After Nikola

Nearly a year after receiving a presidential pardon, Trevor Milton—the founder of Nikola Corporation—is making a bold return to the business world. Following the collapse of his electric truck startup, Milton is now shifting focus to a new frontier: autonomous aviation.

According to a recent report by The Wall Street Journal, Milton is attempting to raise $1 billion to fund the development of AI-powered aircraft, marking one of his most ambitious ventures to date.

Reviving SyberJet Aircraft

Central to this initiative is the acquisition of SyberJet Aircraft, a struggling aviation firm purchased by Milton and an “investment group” late last year. Since then, efforts have been underway to revive the company and reposition it within the advanced aviation sector.

Milton has reportedly brought in “dozens” of former Nikola employees to support the turnaround, leveraging familiar talent to rebuild operations. In parallel, the group has been actively seeking funding, including outreach to potential investors in Saudi Arabia.

Investment, Lobbying, and Strategic Positioning

The project has also involved regulatory and political engagement. Reports indicate that a few hundred thousand dollars have been spent on lobbying efforts to support the initiative and potentially smooth its path toward government and defense-related opportunities.

At the core of the strategy is the development of a completely new avionics system. This system is intended to enable what Milton describes as the “first light jet to focus on artificial-intelligence flight,” a concept that could open doors to lucrative defense contracts and next-generation aviation solutions.

A Challenging Road Ahead

Despite the ambition behind the project, Milton has acknowledged the scale of the challenge. Having been convicted of fraud in 2022, his return to high-stakes innovation comes with both scrutiny and risk.

Reflecting on the complexity of the new venture, Milton told The Wall Street Journal that he believes planes will be “10 times harder than Nikola ever was.”

Outlook for AI in Aviation

Milton’s latest move highlights the growing intersection between artificial intelligence and aviation, an area attracting increasing attention from both private investors and defense sectors. While the success of this venture remains uncertain, it underscores a broader trend toward automation and intelligent systems in aerospace innovation.