Natilus is a technology company.
Natilus has raised $28.0M across 1 funding round.
Natilus has raised $28.0M in total across 1 funding round.
Natilus is a San Diego-based aerospace startup founded in 2016, specializing in blended-wing-body (BWB) autonomous cargo aircraft to slash air freight costs by up to 60%, boost cargo volume by 60%, and cut carbon emissions by 50%.[1][2][3][5] The company builds a family of next-generation freighters like the Kona (unmanned cargo drone with 460 pre-orders), Alisio, Nordes, and the flagship N3.8T twin-engine turboprop (8,500 lbs payload, 1,035-mile range), targeting cargo airlines facing thin margins and pilot shortages by enabling remote piloting from ground "PODs."[1][2][5][6] It serves global logistics providers and airlines, bridging air speed with ocean affordability, with over $6 billion in pre-orders and expansion into passenger aviation via the Horizon (200-seat narrowbody promising 50% lower emissions).[1][2][3] Growth includes prototype flights, Collins Aerospace partnerships, wind tunnel validation, and deliveries eyed for 2025-2028.[3][5][6]
Natilus was founded in April 2016 by CEO Aleksey Matyushev and Anatoly Starikov, both with deep aviation experience across 25+ general, commercial, and military programs.[1][2][7] The idea emerged from their industrial design firm's struggles shipping products from Asia—cargo ships were cheap but slow, air freight fast but costly—sparking a mission to revolutionize freight with BWB designs and autonomy.[3][7] Starting in the San Francisco Bay Area with a seaplane prototype, the team relocated to San Diego in 2021 for top engineering talent and wind tunnel access.[7] Early traction hit fast: $6B+ in orders from major airlines, Kona prototype flight success, N3.8T design completion, vertical tail production, and Collins Aerospace cargo system contract, with first flights originally slated for 2023.[2][3][6]
Natilus rides the autonomous aviation and decarbonization waves in a $280B+ cargo market poised to expand to $470B by commoditizing air freight against ocean shipping.[3] Timing aligns with doubling passenger traffic by 2035, pilot shortages pulling freight crews, and net-zero mandates pressuring aviation's emissions.[2][9] Market tailwinds include e-commerce logistics boom, sustainability regs, and FAA NextGen for data comms/autonomy.[4] By validating BWB via prototypes and securing airline commitments, Natilus influences ecosystem shift toward efficient, unmanned freighters, enabling Volatus-like operators to scale and inspiring passenger decarbonization.[5][6][9]
Natilus is primed for 2025 N3.8T deliveries, Kona commercial service by 2028, and Horizon in the early 2030s, scaling $6B orders amid autonomy certifications and production ramps.[1][5] Trends like AI-piloted fleets, green propulsion, and Asia-Europe freight surges will propel growth, potentially capturing share from Boeing/Airbus fleets. Influence may evolve from cargo disruptor to full BWB leader, democratizing aviation if prototypes convert to revenue—watch for flight milestones and funding to fuel this high-stakes trajectory back to its freight revolution roots.[2][3][9]
Natilus has raised $28.0M in total across 1 funding round.
Natilus's investors include Draper Associates, Flexport, Liquid 2 Ventures, New Vista Capital, Soma Capital, The Veteran Fund, Type One Ventures, VU Venture Partners, Wave Function.
Natilus has raised $28.0M across 1 funding round. Most recently, it raised $28.0M Series A in February 2026.
| Date | Round | Lead Investors | Other Investors |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 10, 2026 | $28.0M Series A | Draper Associates | Flexport, Liquid 2 Ventures, New Vista Capital, Soma Capital, The Veteran Fund, Type One Ventures, VU Venture Partners, Wave Function |