Lilium’s 6-k filing on Thursday (October 24th 2024), mentioned the situation at hand regarding the need of funds for Lilium (NASDAQ: LILM) to “conduct ongoing operations” in the same tempo it has in recent years.
“As of the date of this report, the Company and the Subsidiaries have a limited amount of cash to conduct their operations. Unless the Subsidiaries receive additional funds, they will not be able to conduct their ongoing operations consistent with past practice and will need to seek financing from third parties including any purchaser of their assets.”
Which companies should pursue Lilium’s subsidiaries as third party investors?
“Following the filing of their applications, the Subsidiaries will be generally prohibited from repaying any pre-application debt. Furthermore, if and when the self-administration proceedings are admitted by the court on a preliminary basis, creditors typically will be prohibited from foreclosing against the companies on any claims they may have.”
Who would be the best investors for Lilium in this historic moment in time?
This is not in a ranking order. Every company listed would gain substantial advantages by investing in Lilium. Quite frankly, there should be a combination of investment from several of these companies, in order for them to further demonstrate their commitment to clean electric energy and transportation.
#1 Octopus Energy
Engages in both Vertical and Horizontal consolidation.
Would bring all-electric air travel into their portfolio.
London-based Octopus Energy has its eco-friendly purple tentacles in major markets around the world, such as the US, UK, German, French, Polish, Japanese, Australian, and New Zealand markets to name a few. Promoters of renewable electric energy, Octupus Energy has being eyeing investments all across the electric industry, even investing in the business of leasing pre-owned electric vehicles.
Octopus Energy’s most recent acquisitions include:
September 2020 acquisition of American Evolve Energy (energy startup).
November 2020 acquisition of UK based Upside Energy later branded into KrakenFlex which is a startup related to smart grid technology.
August 2021 acquisition of Spain’s Umeme (startup for green energy).
November 2021 acquisition of Italian SATO Luce e Gas (energy retailer) which was rebranded to Octopus Energy Italy.
January 2022 acquisition of French Plüm énergie (energy startup) which was rebranded to Octopus Energy France.
October 2022 acquisition of UK based energy company Bulb Energy.
February 2023 transfer of Marks and Spencer 60,000 M&S Energy customers to Octopus Energy after Marks and Spencer pulled out of partnership with Octopus.
September 2023 acquisition of Shell Energy household electric utility company.
In the United States, Octopus Energy Electric Vehicles offers leasing of pre-owned electric vehicles such as the Tesla Model 3, Model Y, and the Chevy Bolt.
Octopus Energy could invest millions into Lilium and bring all-electric VTOL aircraft into its sustainable electric portfolio and truly embrace the future of electric transportation. Furthermore, by providing electricity to business and households alike, Octopus would literally power the engines (jet engines) of the future of carbon-neutral private air travel and put themselves at the forefront of bold endeavors directly responsible for changing our planet for the better.
#2 Volkswagen Group
Major European & Worldwide Automaker, with deep connections and influence inside Germany.
Has financial resources to invest in Lilium.
As a large automaker, has knowledge in large scale manufacturing, supply chain, as well the ability to buy supplies at discounted rates due to economy of scale.
Brands associated with Volkswagen Group include: Volkswagen, Skoda, SEAT, Cupra, Audi, Lamborghini, Bentley, Ducati, Porsche (AG), Traton, Scania, MAN, International Motors (formerly Navistar).
Lilium partnered with German battery manufacturer Customcells for the lithium batteries going into their all-electric aircraft. In 2021 Customcells started serial production of battery cells for Lilium. This was also the same year that Customcells began a joint venture known as Cellforce Group with Porsche AG (part of Volkswagen Group). The established networks within Germany for batteries, technical knowledge, scalability, and cost reductions largely due to economy of scale, provide Volkswagen Group with a perfect opportunity to strengthen Lilium’s position in the electric VTOL sector and provide Volkswagen Group with the prestige and specialized expertise and R&D that Lilium has brought to this industry. Volkswagen has already entered the eVTOL sector via the prototype produced by their subsidiary Volkswagen Group China. This aircraft known as the V.MO displays the conventional electric VTOL designs of many in the eVTOL arena. By investing in Lilium, Volkswagen Group will have revolutionary all-electric jet aircraft within their portfolio.
#3 General Motors
General Motors changed their logo in order to highlight their commitment to electric vehicles.
GM was a pioneer in electric vehicles with the EV1 produced in the mid 1990’s that had an enthusiastic following. The demise of the EV1 in 2003 is what motivated Martin Eberhard and Marc Tarpenning to found Tesla Motors in July 2003.
Many may not know, but General Motor’s pedigree in electric transportation is quite strong. The EV1 was a breakthrough electric car that was ahead of its time, yet due to several factors regarding fears of un-profitability, possible influence from the oil industry, and the infancy of battery technology at the time, the GM’s EV1 project was scrapped in 2003 by then CEO Rick Wagoner. Tesla Motors was founded that same year by Martin Eberhard and Marc Tarpening, who were motivated to continue American manufacturing and innovation with electric vehicles. Lilium provides General Motors with a unique opportunity to enter the electric VTOL market. In 2021, for the CES (Consumer Electronics Show), Cadillac unveiled an eVTOL air-taxi concept called “PersonalSpace” which features 8 rotors arranged in a quadcopter formation. With a cash injection from GM, Lilium can finish all the certification requirements, and have access to the economy of scale and buying power that GM possesses. A partnership between GM and Lilium would be mutually beneficial and help Lilium strengthen its position in North America, while GM will be able to take off from the streets and into the skies, expanding upon the hard work that the Lilium R&D team has developed over the years. Furthermore, with competitors such as Stellantis forming an alliance with Archer, Toyota infusing cash into Joby, Hyundai with its Supernal, and BMW investing in a hydrogen powered jet from Sirius Aviation (that’s airframe looks suspiciously similar to Lilium’s exterior), General Motors better seriously take a look at Lilium and what it has to offer!
#4 NextEra Energy
$170 billion dollar company.
$3.57 billion revenue in 2021, they have the cash to invest in Lilium.
NextEra Energy has a valuation of over $170 billion dollars, and is by no hyperbole, the world’s largestelectric utility holding company by market capitalization. NextEra Energy also claims to “generate more wind and solar energy than any other company in the world”. As of right now, you can go to the main website page and see the statement from NextEra: “One of the Nation’s Largest Capital Infrastructure Investors”. With such a colossal force in renewable energy, and the cash on hand to invest, Lilium should be a company within sight for the prudent investors at NextEra Energy.
NextEra Energy Acquisitions:
June 2005 – Acquisition of Houston-based GEXA Energy or $80.6 million.
January 2019 Acquisition of Gulf Power Company for $6.4 billion
#5 Électricité de France (EDF)
€139.7 billion in revenue for 2023.
€10.0 billion in net income for 2023.
Paris-based EDF (Électricité de France) is the second largest electric utility in the world. 90% of the over 120 gigawatts produced by EDF is C02 emission free. With a large network of power plants featuring nuclear, off-shore wind, solar, as well as hydroelectric power generation, EDF’s vision for a sustainable energy future is fully compatible with Lilium’s vision for sustainable air travel. Combined with the possible 200 million euro investments from the French government into Lilium, an investment from EDF will strengthen the ties between electric power production, infrastructure, and end use in transportation.
Expanding the portfolio
In summary, these companies should look how to grow and expand upon their sustainability goals for the future. With electric VTOL technology progressing and eventually becoming a mainstream mode of air transportation, it would be wise for the visionaries at the 5 companies to take advantage of the golden opportunity in front of them, and invest into Lilium’s noble cause of clean electric air travel.
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