Munich, Germany – October 15, 2025 — In a significant move within the electric aviation sector, U.S.-listed Archer Aviation Inc. has acquired the patent portfolio of German eVTOL pioneer Lilium. The sale, conducted as part of Lilium’s ongoing insolvency proceedings, was finalized by insolvency administrator Ivo-Meinert Willrodt of PLUTA Rechtsanwalts GmbH.
The transaction marks a key milestone in the restructuring of Lilium GmbH and its subsidiary Lilium Aerospace GmbH, both of which entered self-administration in October 2024 before transitioning to full insolvency in March 2025. Lilium GmbH, the holder of the company’s intellectual property rights, saw its patents and registered technologies transferred to Archer under a purchase agreement valued in the low to mid double-digit million euro range. The agreement, approved unanimously by Lilium’s creditors’ committees, is now being implemented.
Founded in 2015, Lilium was among the early leaders in electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) technology, investing heavily in the development of battery-powered air taxis designed for urban mobility. Despite ambitious plans and substantial funding, the company struggled to achieve commercial viability amid rising development costs and increasing competition.
Archer Aviation, headquartered in California and publicly traded in the United States, is acquiring a portfolio of more than 300 patents covering critical innovations in high-voltage systems, battery management, flight controls, and electric propulsion design. These include technologies related to electric engines, propellers, and ducted fans that are central to next-generation eVTOL aircraft.
Attorney and insolvency administrator Ivo-Meinert Willrodt emphasized the significance of the deal, stating, “After lengthy negotiations in a complex transaction process, Archer prevailed in the bidding process.” He noted that the sale to Archer provided “the highest level of transaction and execution security,” ensuring stability for creditors and maximizing value from Lilium’s intellectual property assets.
The agreement was structured and negotiated by Willrodt and his PLUTA colleagues, attorneys Mirko Möllen and Martin Jungclaus, who were instrumental in drafting the deal’s terms. In parallel, the insolvency proceedings for Lilium N.V., the group’s Dutch holding company, continue under the administration of Wolfgang Bernhardt, also of PLUTA Rechtsanwalts GmbH.
On the buyer’s side, Archer Aviation received legal counsel from Dr. Sven-Holger Undritz and Dr. Albrecht Schaefer of White & Case, underscoring the transaction’s international legal complexity and strategic importance.
For Archer, the acquisition represents a significant expansion of its intellectual property base as it races to bring its own electric air taxi models to market. The addition of Lilium’s patent assets could strengthen Archer’s competitive position against other industry players such as Joby Aviation and Vertical Aerospace, both pursuing FAA certification for commercial eVTOL operations.
While Lilium’s assets are being sold off, the insolvency administrator confirmed that additional transactions will follow. “In the coming months, the administrator will continue the sale of Lilium’s remaining assets,” PLUTA said in a statement, suggesting further developments as the company’s restructuring progresses.
The sale marks the latest chapter in Europe’s evolving electric aviation landscape, where several start-ups have faced financial distress amid long certification timelines and capital-intensive research demands. For creditors and investors, the Archer sale provides a tangible recovery step after months of uncertainty.
Founded in 1982, PLUTA Rechtsanwalts GmbH is one of Europe’s leading restructuring and insolvency firms, with approximately 500 employees across Germany, Spain, and Italy. The firm specializes in reorganizations, crisis management, and transactional support for distressed companies. Its reputation has been recognized by multiple industry rankings and publications, including JUVE, The Legal 500, Who’s Who Legal, and Wirtschaftswoche.
As the dust settles on the Lilium proceedings, the sale to Archer marks a turning point in the redistribution of intellectual capital within the electric aviation sector. For Archer, it represents an opportunity to accelerate its technological development and strengthen its position in the fast-growing eVTOL market — while for Lilium’s creditors, it offers a measure of closure to one of Europe’s most high-profile tech insolvencies.
