JetPack Aviation raises $2M to build a flying motorcycle

YC-backed Jetpack Aviation has raised $2m to build a prototype of its flying motorcycle. The motorcycle named ‘Speeder’ will have a fully stabilized ride that’s either pilot-controlled or fully autonomous and will be able to reach speeds up to 400MPH.

The seed round saw participation from Skype co-founder Jaan Tallinn, Draper Associates, YC, Catheis Ventures, and an assortment of angel investors.

“Fortnite” maker Epic Games acquires Quixel

Photogrammetry startup Quixel was recently acquired by Epic Games in a bid to improve the realism of their games. Quixel has developed a huge asset library of real-world images that can be used in animated videos and games. The terms of the deal remain undisclosed.

“Our mission at Quixel has always been to make the world more accessible for everyone through ultra-high-resolution scanning,” said Quixel co-founder Teddy Bergsman, in a statement.

Techstars launches a new virtual accelerator program

In partnership with the U.S. Air Force, the Netherlands Ministry of Defence, the Norwegian Ministry of Defence, and the Norwegian Space Agency, Techstars is launching a virtual space-tech accelerator program called the ‘Techstars Allied Space Accelerator’.

The virtual program will enable companies to participate remotely and the duration of the accelerator program will total 13 weeks from June 2020 to September 2020.