Billy Thalheimer (CEO) and Michael Klinker (CTO) of REGENT with a full-scale mockup of their first electric seaglider. Regent, a startup developing electric seagliders to transport people and cargo, has raised a $60 million round of venture funding and struck a partnership with Japan Airlines to figure out how to bring the company's flying electric ferries to the waterways of Japan. Venture fund 8090 Industries co-led Regent's series A round alongside Peter Thiel's Founders Fund, with Japan Airlines Innovation Fund and Point72 Ventures also participating among others. The commercial version of this battery powered 12-seater, named the Viceroy, will fly higher above the water at speeds of up to 180 mph, Thalheimer says. Thalheimer said, "You can build as many decks or pitches as you want but this is the experience that unlocks excitement."

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Persons: Billy Thalheimer, Michael Klinker, REGENT, Peter Thiel's, Regent, seaglider, Thalheimer Organizations: Japan Airlines, Venture, Japan Airlines Innovation Fund, Point72 Ventures, CNBC Locations: Japan, Rhode, Narragansett