Santa Cruz, California – July 2025:
JoeBen Bevirt, the 51-year-old founder and CEO of Joby Aviation, has reclaimed his billionaire status following a dramatic rally in the company’s stock. With shares hitting a new all-time high of $13.92, Bevirt’s 12% stake in the air-mobility firm is now valued at an impressive $1.3 billion, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index.
Joby Aviation, a pioneer in electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, has seen renewed investor interest following its successful piloted test flight in Dubai. This momentum was further fueled by increased support from the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) and a federal pilot program launched under an executive order signed by former President Donald Trump.
“The administration has made air taxis a very high priority,” Bevirt stated in an earlier interview with Bloomberg Television. “We’re just thrilled to be seeing such incredible momentum on the DoD side for this industry.”
From SPAC Collapse to Stock Market Resurgence
The current success marks a remarkable turnaround for Joby Aviation. The company initially went public in August 2021 through a SPAC (Special Purpose Acquisition Company) merger. While initial enthusiasm temporarily lifted Bevirt into the billionaire club, share prices soon plummeted by over 45% by the end of that year as Joby lacked a completed commercial product.
Fast forward to 2025, and Joby is riding a wave of positive developments. The company recently announced plans to double production capacity at its primary manufacturing plant, aiming to capitalize on both consumer and military interest in next-gen air mobility solutions.
Quiet, Fast, and Efficient: The Future of Urban Air Travel
Joby’s aircraft is designed to be 100 times quieter than a traditional helicopter and can reach top speeds of 200 mph, all without needing a runway. Bevirt previously shared plans to offer high-speed flights between Manhattan and JFK Airport, with travel times of just seven minutes — at prices comparable to an Uber Black.
While the company has yet to secure its first paying customer or deploy a commercial fleet, analysts remain optimistic. The rising tide in the eVTOL sector — including developments from competitor Archer Aviation predicting defense contracts as a major revenue stream — is reinforcing confidence in the market’s long-term viability.
Who Is JoeBen Bevirt?
A serial entrepreneur, Bevirt is no stranger to innovation. Before founding Joby Aviation, he launched several ventures including Velocity11, which developed robotic systems for laboratories, and Joby Inc., creator of the popular GorillaPod camera tripod. He holds mechanical engineering degrees from both the University of California, Davis and Stanford University.
Conclusion:
With rising investor enthusiasm, strategic government backing, and increasing production capabilities, Joby Aviation is on a strong trajectory toward redefining urban air travel. JoeBen Bevirt’s return to billionaire status is not just a personal milestone—it’s a reflection of growing belief in a future where flying taxis are no longer science fiction, but a daily commute.
