Flyvbird is launching vini, an AI-powered on-demand airline connecting underserved airports with flexible, demand-driven flights. Founded by Tomislav Lang, the startup joined BIRD Incubator’s 6-month program (open now) and took home second place at Demo Day. We sat down with Tomislav to talk about bringing regional air travel into the digital age, preparing for their first flights in 2025, and what’s next for Flyvbird’s journey across Europe.
Let’s start with a quick intro: What’s the name of your company, what problem are you solving, and what’s your long-term vision for the company?
Our company is flyvbird, launching to customers under the name vini – an AI-powered on-demand airline platform redefining regional mobility. We solve the problem of slow, disconnected regional travel by dynamically connecting underserved airports with flexible, demand-driven flights.
Our long-term vision is to build Europe’s first scalable, AI-driven airline model, powered by our proprietary platform flyvAI, starting in Germany and expanding across the continent.
You’ve reached impressive milestones. Can you share the funding you’ve raised, the size of your team, and what’s next for your growth?
So far, we’ve raised €300,000 in pre-seed funding, and we are currently raising €1 million to complete our proof-of-concept and scale operations. Our agile team works across Stuttgart and Friedrichshafen, supported by strategic partners in aviation and technology.
Next up: the first commercial flights in September 2025 – connecting Friedrichshafen (FDH), Mönchengladbach (MGL), and Hof (HOQ) with single-seat sales, premium charter options, and early corporate clients. This will mark the beginning of a live booking system that validates our model in real-world conditions.
Every startup has key moments that shape its direction. Can you share a story about a pivotal moment that shifted your company’s approach, and how did you navigate that challenge?
A pivotal moment came when we pivoted fully back to Europe after briefly considering launches in the U.S. and U.K. The German market offered a faster regulatory path, immediate investor traction, and access to the right partners and aircraft.
This sharpened focus gave us the confidence to announce our inaugural flights and align with OEMs such as Embraer and EmbraerX, who are exploring proof-of-concept partnerships with flyvbird to showcase the commercial viability of their next-generation Energia program.
How has BIRD Incubator contributed to your growth so far—whether through mentorship, networking, resources, or something else? What’s been the most valuable part of the program for your startup?
BIRD Incubator has been a true catalyst—providing mentorship, credibility, and access to a curated network of experts. The most valuable aspect has been its ability to connect us to other mobility innovators, strategic advisors, and capital partners who share our mission of “Connecting the Unconnected.”
Looking ahead, where do you see your company in 3-5 years? What are your most important goals and what’s the strategy for achieving them?
In 3–5 years, vini @flyvbird aims to operate 50+ aircraft across Europe, powered by our AI scheduling and distribution platform flyvAI.
Our strategy combines: asset-light operations with trusted operators, fractional ownership partnerships with investors and airports, technology licensing to scale beyond our own fleet. The goal: to make regional flying as seamless, affordable, and sustainable as taking a train or booking a rideshare.
