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Larry Page's Flying Car Company Pivotal Loses Its CEO

2 September 2026·1 min read·TechCrunch·Summarized by Sovin AI

Summary

Pivotal, the flying car startup backed by Google co-founder Larry Page, has lost its CEO. Karklin is departing to pursue new endeavors and will be replaced on an interim basis by aviation executive Mike Ross, who joined the board in November 2025.

Pivotal, the electric flying car company backed by Google co-founder Larry Page, is navigating a leadership transition after its chief executive officer announced his departure. The company confirmed to TechCrunch that Karklin is leaving to pursue new endeavors, though no specific details about his next steps were shared publicly.

Stepping in to fill the role on an interim basis is Mike Ross, a seasoned aviation executive who was appointed to Pivotal's board of directors in November 2025. Ross's background in the aviation industry makes him a fitting choice to guide the company through this transitional period while a permanent replacement is sought.

Pivotal is best known for its Helix aircraft, a compact personal electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) vehicle designed to be accessible to everyday consumers. The company has been working to carve out a niche in the burgeoning urban air mobility market, which has attracted significant investment and interest from both established aerospace players and tech-driven startups.

The leadership shake-up comes at a pivotal moment for the industry, as companies race to bring viable flying vehicles to market. Investors and industry watchers will be closely monitoring how Pivotal manages this transition and whether it affects the company's product roadmap or fundraising efforts going forward.

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