Nautical Wings Aerospace raises funding from Venture Catalysts and 1Crowd

Nautical Wings Aerospace, a Bengaluru-based startup in electric propulsion technology for the aviation industry, has raised an undisclosed amount in a pre-Series A funding round.

The round was led by Venture Catalysts, India's leading integrated incubator and accelerator platform, and 1Crowd, an early-stage VC firm.

What does Nautical Wings Aerospace do?

Founded in 2020 by Shiv Varun Singh Rajput, Praveen T, and Vikas Kamath, Nautical Wings Aerospace specializes in delivering state-of-the-art, tailored propulsion solutions to OEMs on a global scale.

The startup's upcoming flagship product, the Integrated Electric Propulsion Unit (iEPU), is a cutting-edge turnkey solution designed to simplify adoption for drone manufacturers and air mobility companies.

The iEPU features a plug-and-play design for seamless integration across various aircraft, catering to the specific needs of each client.

The startup said that the versatile system simplifies adoption for drone manufacturers and air mobility companies, streamlining development and speeding up time-to-market.

“At Nautical Wings Aerospace, we are committed to pioneering propulsion technologies that will revolutionize the future of flight. Our vision is to lead the next generation of aerial innovation, making electric aviation more efficient, sustainable, and accessible for all," said Shiv Varun Singh Rajput.

Purpose of fundraising

According to Varun, the raised capital will be used to accelerate research and development (R&D) efforts, expand the team of engineers, and scale operations to meet the growing global demand for electric propulsion solutions in aviation.

“Nautical Wings Aerospace represents the future of aviation propulsion. Their innovative approach to electric propulsion technology aligns perfectly with the global shift towards sustainable transportation," said Dr. Apoorva Ranjan Sharma, Co-Founder and Managing Director of Venture Catalysts++.

"We believe their iEPU solution has the potential to accelerate the adoption of electric propulsion in drones and eVTOL aircraft, contributing significantly to the growth of the $20.3 billion electric aircraft propulsion market projected by 2030. This investment underscores our commitment to supporting groundbreaking technologies that have the power to transform industries and create a more sustainable future," Sharma added.

The startup said that the electric aircraft propulsion market is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 15.3%, from $6.5 billion in 2022 to $20.3 billion by 2030, presenting a significant opportunity for them to grow.

"As the world increasingly focuses on solutions that are both sustainable and scalable, it is imperative that we encourage innovation in technologies for the future. Nautical Wings’ endeavour to develop sustainable aviation powered by their advanced propulsion systems is truly commendable and in the right direction," said Kalpana Sindhu, Partner, 1Crowd.