5. XTI AIRCRAFT

The pitch: Tech whizzes, including former executives from the likes of Sikorsky and Cessna, have teamed up to revolutionise the private aircraft market. They have designed what is, ostensibly, a private jet crossed with a helicopter, thus eradicating the need for transfers from airfield to main deck. The TriFan 600 boasts six seats, a range of up to 1,200 miles and can cruise at 30,000ft at speeds of 400mph.

Cost: XTI plans to raise $50 million through crowdfunding via an unlimited number of backers each investing as little or as much as they see fit.

Return: Each investor will receive shares in XTI comparable to the sum they have invested and will see a return on these as the company grows – the first test TriFan 600 model is expected to be ready in 2016.

Website:www.startengine.com/startup/xti