Top 19 Energy-efficient Airplane startups in USA
Jan 25, 2026
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28
1
Funding: $732.5M
Boom Supersonic manufactures supersonic passenger jets and turbines for ground-based power plants. The company's core technology is the turbofan engine, originally designed for supersonic flight. The XB-1 demonstrator aircraft, powered by this engine, became the first civilian aircraft to break the sound barrier. It also served as the basis for the Superpower stationary 42-MW power plant. Boom supplies these turbines with generators, control systems and performs preventive maintenance. The turbines achieve 39% efficiency, which is comparable to competitors. However, Boom is also developing a "field upgrade" to convert its turbines from a simple cycle to a combined cycle, which can recover heat from exhaust gases to increase efficiency above 60%. A key advantage is that Superpower turbogenerators are shipped in a compact shipping container. The company has a contract with Crusoe, an AI infrastructure leader, to supply 29 turbines for AI data centers.
Boom Supersonic manufactures supersonic passenger jets and turbines for ground-based power plants. The company's core technology is the turbofan engine, originally designed for supersonic flight. The XB-1 demonstrator aircraft, powered by this engine, became the first civilian aircraft to break the sound barrier. It also served as the basis for the Superpower stationary 42-MW power plant. Boom supplies these turbines with generators, control systems and performs preventive maintenance. The turbines achieve 39% efficiency, which is comparable to competitors. However, Boom is also developing a "field upgrade" to convert its turbines from a simple cycle to a combined cycle, which can recover heat from exhaust gases to increase efficiency above 60%. A key advantage is that Superpower turbogenerators are shipped in a compact shipping container. The company has a contract with Crusoe, an AI infrastructure leader, to supply 29 turbines for AI data centers.
2
Funding: $3.5B
Archer is an aerospace company that developed an electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft tailored for urban air mobility systems.
Archer is an aerospace company that developed an electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft tailored for urban air mobility systems.
3
Funding: $3B
Joby Aviation develops a new generation of electric personal aircraft created to revolutionize personal mobility.
Joby Aviation develops a new generation of electric personal aircraft created to revolutionize personal mobility.
4
Funding: $1.8B
Beta Technologies manufactures electric vertical takeoff, landing eVTOL aircraft, and recharging pad systems.
Beta Technologies manufactures electric vertical takeoff, landing eVTOL aircraft, and recharging pad systems.
5
Funding: $450M
Wisk is an urban air-mobility company on a mission to leave traffic on the ground and make sustainable flight a reality for everyday life.
Wisk is an urban air-mobility company on a mission to leave traffic on the ground and make sustainable flight a reality for everyday life.
6
Funding: $306M
ZeroAvia enables zero emission air travel at scale, starting with 500 mile short-haul trips, at half of today’s cost.
ZeroAvia enables zero emission air travel at scale, starting with 500 mile short-haul trips, at half of today’s cost.
7
Funding: $281.2M
Fulcrum Bioenergy converts household garbage into low-carbon transportation fuels, including jet fuel, diesel, and ethanol.
Fulcrum Bioenergy converts household garbage into low-carbon transportation fuels, including jet fuel, diesel, and ethanol.
9
Funding: $133.5M
Reliable Robotics is bringing remote piloting to small cargo planes
Reliable Robotics is bringing remote piloting to small cargo planes
10
Funding: $108.1M
Air Company turns carbon dioxide into things like perfume, vodka, hand sanitizer and ethanol-based aviation fuel
Air Company turns carbon dioxide into things like perfume, vodka, hand sanitizer and ethanol-based aviation fuel
11
Funding: $108.1M
Air Company is a carbon utilization company creating consumer and industrial products from carbon dioxide (CO2).
Air Company is a carbon utilization company creating consumer and industrial products from carbon dioxide (CO2).
12
Funding: $88.1M
Pyka makes technologies that make aviation safer, more affordable, and more accessible than has ever been possible in human history.
Pyka makes technologies that make aviation safer, more affordable, and more accessible than has ever been possible in human history.
13
Funding: $48.7M
Dimensional Energy transforms carbon dioxide into sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and valuable consumer products with the lowest energy input per barrel installed.
Dimensional Energy transforms carbon dioxide into sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and valuable consumer products with the lowest energy input per barrel installed.
14
Funding: $41M
Whisper Aero is harnessing the power of air more cleanly, efficiently, and quietly than ever before.
Whisper Aero is harnessing the power of air more cleanly, efficiently, and quietly than ever before.
15
Funding: $40M
U.S.-Spanish aerospace company developing solar powered aircraft capable of perpetual flight.
U.S.-Spanish aerospace company developing solar powered aircraft capable of perpetual flight.
16
Funding: $24.7M
H3X manufactures advanced electric propulsion systems for commercial aviation and other high performance applicaitons.
H3X manufactures advanced electric propulsion systems for commercial aviation and other high performance applicaitons.
17
Alaka'i develops helicopter-style electric craft called Skai that is using hydrogen fuel cells to produce electricity.
18
Fast and efficient logistics. Delivering entire pallet-loads via fully autonomous cargo drones.
19
Luftcar is an aviation company that develops self-driving air and land vehicles that can travel farther distances while consuming less fuel.
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