Electric Air Taxis: The Future is Here, Thursday May 21 at 12PM PT Virtual

Air Taxis: From 3 Hours to 30 Minutes - New Opportunities

Entrepreneur Forum

What if a 3 hour drive became a 30-minute flight?

As eVTOL (electric air taxi) adoption accelerates ahead of the 2028 Summer Olympics, distance is no longer a constraint.

This shift has implications far beyond transportation—unlocking new opportunities across real estate, travel, and experience-driven business models.

Entrepreneur Forum Format

This will be a moderated, interactive discussion—not a presentation.

Founders James Gates and Todd (eVTOL partner) will briefly share how they’re thinking about this opportunity, grounded in a real-world use case:

→ A remote mountain property ~90 minutes from Los Angeles that becomes ~20 minutes via eVTOL

The discussion will focus on how this shift could reprice land, expand demand for destination experiences, and create new investment opportunities.

Program

• Opening Context (5 min)
  Framing the eVTOL landscape and why it matters now
• Founder Perspective (10–15 min)
  Use case, investment thesis, and where value may accrue
• Interactive Discussion (30 min)
  Moderated discussion with attendees exploring:
  • Where value is created and captured
  • What drives adoption vs. novelty
  • Key risks (regulatory, infrastructure, demand)
  • Adjacent opportunities across real estate, hospitality, and infrastructure
• Closing (5 min)
  Key takeaways and follow-ups

Featured Speakers

James Gates (Co-Founder and Principal)

James is a licensed general contractor, real estate developer, and investor with experience building thousands of multifamily units and developing retail projects including the Shops at Sportsman’s Lodge in Studio City. He continues to own and manage real estate in Los Angeles, and currently operates a ranch north of the city, where he founded Hudson Ranch Conservation, a nonprofit focused on youth engagement in animal and nature conservation.

Todd Melcher (Co-Founder and Principal)

Todd is a developer, investment land executive, and inventor with a background spanning real estate, product design, and fire technology. He previously served as Vice President of Research and Acquisitions at The Myers Group and led development for the Brizo Superyacht Community on Mexico’s Pacific Coast. Today, his work in fire technology—particularly in wildland environments—informs his focus on building safer, more resilient spaces. 

Why Attend

• Engage in a high-signal discussion with Wharton entrepreneurs and investors
• Explore early-stage thinking at the intersection of mobility, real estate, and experience
• Contribute perspectives that shape how these opportunities evolve

Event Details

Date: Thursday, May 21
Time: 12:00 PM PT
Format: Virtual (link shared upon registration)

Cost:
Free for Wharton SoCal members
$15 for non-members and guests

Tickets are non-refundable

Hosted by Wharton SoCal Entrepreneurs Collaborative

A curated forum for founders, investors, and operators to explore ideas, pressure-test opportunities, and surface actionable insights.