Bankrupt US-based aircraft developer Zunum Aero has sued aerospace manufacturer and former corporate investor Boeing alleging fraud, technology theft, breach of contract and misappropriation of trade secrets, The Verge reported yesterday.
Zunum was developing hybrid electric jets that would allow airlines to run short-haul flights while saving on fuel costs. It raised an undisclosed amount from Boeing subsidiary HorizonX and JetBlue Technology Ventures, the investment arm of airline operator JetBlue, in 2017.
The company filed for bankruptcy in April this year after failing to secure additional funding. The lawsuit claims Boeing colluded with other aerospace manufacturers as well as prospective investors to prevent it raising more cash while simultaneously attempting to poach its engineers.
HorizonX and aerospace equipment producer Safran are also named in the suit. The court filings state: “Boeing saw an innovative venture, with a dramatically improved path to the future, and presented itself as interested in investing and partnering with Zunum.
“But instead, Boeing stole Zunum’s technology and intentionally hobbled the upstart entrant in order to maintain its dominant position in commercial aviation by stifling competition.”
