Archer Aviation Wins Bidding War for Lilium Patents

Archer Aviation (NYSE: ACHR) shares rose 8.1% to $14.08 after the company announced it had acquired the patents of bankrupt rival Lilium for approximately $21 million. The move came after Archer won a competitive bidding process, outpacing major eVTOL peers including Joby Aviation (NYSE: JOBY).

The acquisition includes roughly 300 patents in advanced air mobility, originally developed or acquired by Lilium during its decade-long pursuit of electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft innovation.

“These assets could unlock future development and strengthen our long-term intellectual property position,” Archer said in a statement.

Industry Context

Germany-based Lilium, once valued at over $3B, filed for insolvency earlier this year after burning through more than $1.5 billion in development funding.

Archer’s acquisition gives it valuable access to key design, propulsion, and battery technologies relevant to next-generation air taxis. Analysts view this as a strategic win for Archer’s upcoming Midnight eVTOL program.

Competitive Landscape

Archer’s biggest rival, Joby Aviation (JOBY), also reportedly made an offer for Lilium’s patent portfolio but was ultimately outbid. Meanwhile, Hyundai’s Supernal division has paused eVTOL development following the exit of its CEO and CTO, signaling broader volatility in the air mobility sector.

Despite these challenges, Archer continues to expand its testing, partnerships, and production plans — with ongoing collaborations with Boeing (BA) and the U.S. Air Force supporting commercial certification goals.