About Aerospace Tech sector in United States
The Aerospace Tech sector in United States comprises 676 companies, including 157 funded companies having collectively raised $15B in venture capital money and private equity. Out of these, 111 are Series A+ funded, and 6 have achieved unicorn status.
Aerospace Tech sector in United States has seen 53 acquisitions and 15 IPOs. This represents almost 10.1% of all such companies - which is higher than the 4.0% exit rate of tech companies in general.
This sector includes companies providing technology-based solutions to aircraft manufactures including avionics systems, design software, and sensors. Companies that manufacture and sell innovative aircraft.
Aerospace Tech sector is also known as AerospaceTech, Aerospace-Tech, Digital Aerospace or Aerospace Technology Solutions.
Includes tech solutions for the manufacturing of aircraft including Design software, Robotics, Additive manufacturing.
Also includes Avionics for electronic flight control, monitoring sensors.
Also includes companies manufacturing innovative aircraft including Supersonic, Solar, Electric, and Vertical take-off & Landing aircraft. Excludes Aviation software including airport solutions, in-flight connectivity & entertainment, analytics for airline & airport operators, MRO software, etc.
Excludes air transport services including passenger airlines, airport operators, technology providers for airports along with Aviation service providers including catering, training, navigation, ground handling, etc.
Also excludes traditional aircraft engines, drone component manufacturers including defense contractors for the aerospace industry.
Top Aerospace Tech Companies in United States
There are 676 Aerospace Tech startups in United States which include Ehang, Joby Aviation, BETA, Shield AI, Archer. Out of these, 157 startups are funded, with 111 having secured Series A+ funding, and 6 achieving unicorn status.
2026 has seen the creation of 31 Aerospace Tech startups in United States. Over the past 10 years, an average of 31 new companies have been launched annually. Notably, several of these startups have been founded by alumni of Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Stanford University and University of California (Los Angeles).
Here is the list of top Aerospace Tech startups in United States
1. Ehang
Developer of autonomous aerial vehicles and related command and control systems. It focuses on providing solutions for aerial transportation and related applications. The company designs, develops, manufactures, and operates these systems. It also offers services related to the operation and maintenance of its products.
Key facts about Ehang
- Founded Year: 2014
- Location: Guangzhou (China)
- Stage: Public
- Total Funding till date: $52M
- Investors: Granite Asia, GP Capital and 13 Others
- Latest Funding Round: Post IPO, Nov 14, 2024, $*****
- Tracxn Score: 76/100 What is this?
- Competitors Rank: 1 of 296 Competitors
Manufacturer of electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft. The company designs and builds aircraft that use electric power for vertical takeoff and landing operations. It focuses on developing innovative solutions for urban air mobility and sustainable aviation. Users include businesses and operators seeking advanced aircraft technologies.
Key facts about Joby Aviation
- Founded Year: 2009
- Location: Santa Cruz (United States)
- Stage: Public
- Total Funding till date: $690M
- Investors: Capricorn, Jimco and 26 Others
- Latest Funding Round: Post IPO, May 27, 2025, $*****
- Tracxn Score: 75/100 What is this?
- Competitors Rank: 2 of 365 Competitors
3. BETA
Manufacturer of electric aircraft, charging systems, and customized training programs. They build electric vertical and conventional takeoff and landing aircraft. The company also manufactures charge cubes and thermal management systems for electric aircraft and vehicles. In addition, they provide customized training programs for pilots to operate electric aircraft.
Key facts about BETA
- Founded Year: 2012
- Location: South Burlington (United States)
- Stage: Public
- Total Funding till date: $1.66B
- Investors: Fidelity Investments, Qatar Investment Authority and 16 Others
- Latest Funding Round: Grant (prize money), Oct 23, 2025, $*****
- Tracxn Score: 74/100 What is this?
- Competitors Rank: 2 of 314 Competitors
4. Shield AI
Developer of AI-powered platforms and software for defense applications. The company provides solutions for mission autonomy, surveillance, and object detection. Its offerings include autonomous pilot software, command and control toolkits, and autonomy development platforms. It also manufactures unmanned aircraft for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions.
Key facts about Shield AI
- Founded Year: 2015
- Location: San Diego (United States)
- Stage: Series G
- Total Funding till date: $3.52B
- Investors: Disruptive, JPMorgan Chase and 44 Others
- Latest Funding Round: Series G, Mar 26, 2026, $*****
- Tracxn Score: 68/100 What is this?
- Competitors Rank: 6 of 857 Competitors
5. Archer
Developer of electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft for commercial use. The company focuses on aircraft certification, safety, and defense applications. It provides updates through its newsroom and offers various resources. These resources include information for investors, media, and potential employees.
Key facts about Archer
- Founded Year: 2018
- Location: San Jose (United States)
- Stage: Public
- Total Funding till date: $1.93B
- Investors: Access Industries, Silversmith Capital Partners and 17 Others
- Latest Funding Round: Post IPO, Dec 05, 2025, $*****
- Tracxn Score: 68/100 What is this?
- Competitors Rank: 5 of 365 Competitors
Companies founded year-on-year in the Aerospace Tech sector in United States
31 new startups have been founded so far in 2026 in the Aerospace Tech sector in United States. 56 Aerospace Tech startups in United States were founded in 2021 - this is the most number of startups founded in any year in the last 10 years.
- Total Number of Companies
Year | No. of companies |
|---|---|
2026 | 31 |
2025 | 45 |
2024 | 27 |
2023 | 11 |
2022 | 21 |
2021 | 56 |
2020 | 35 |
2019 | 25 |
2018 | 31 |
2017 | 32 |
Stage-wise distribution of Aerospace Tech sector companies in United States
Out of the total 676 Aerospace Tech companies in United States, 157 have secured funding. Among them, 111 have reached Series A or higher, and 91 to Series B or beyond.
Founded - 676
Funded - 157
Series A+ - 111
Series B+ - 91
Series C+ - 75
Company Stage | No. of companies |
|---|---|
Founded | 676 |
Funded | 157 |
Series A+ | 111 |
Series B+ | 91 |
Series C+ | 75 |
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Funding Trends in the Aerospace Tech sector in United States
Total funding year-on-year in the Aerospace Tech sector in United States
The Aerospace Tech sector in United States saw a total funding of more than $14.5B in the last 10 years. The most amount of funding has been in 2026 at more than $3.69B till date.
- Total Funding
Year | Total Funding |
|---|---|
2026 | $3.69B |
2025 | $3.06B |
2024 | $1.91B |
2023 | $1.45B |
2022 | $1.57B |
2021 | $1.42B |
2020 | $894M |
2019 | $312M |
2018 | $131M |
2017 | $94.4M |
Recent Funding Rounds in Aerospace Tech in United States
In the year 2026, till September 2026, Aerospace Tech companies in United States have raised $3.54B in equity funding across 15 rounds.
In the same period last year (i.e. till September 2025), Aerospace Tech companies in United States had raised $1.35B across 17 rounds.
So, 2026 has seen a 162.19% rise in funding in Aerospace Tech companies in United States as compared to 2025.
Here are some recent, important funding rounds in Aerospace Tech companies in United States:
Company | Round Raised | Amount Raised | Funding Date | Investors |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Series A | 1466 | Sep 15, 2026 | ||
Series C | 8082 | Sep 10, 2026 | and 3 more | |
Series A | 1904 | Sep 08, 2026 | and 6 more | |
Series B | 4120 | Sep 02, 2026 | - | |
Series B | 9500 | Aug 27, 2026 | and 8 more |
Top Investors in Aerospace Tech in United States
OSTI is the top investor in Aerospace Tech companies in United States based on number of companies invested.
Here are some top investors in Aerospace Tech companies in United States:
Investor | Location | Top Portfolio Companies |
|---|---|---|
Oak Ridge (United States) | ||
Mountain View (United States) | ||
Los Angeles (United States) | ||
Arlington (United States) | ||
Kirkland (United States) | ZeroAvia and Maglev Aero |
M&A activity in Aerospace Tech sector in United States
In the year 2026, till August 2026, 2 acquisitions happened in Aerospace Tech sector in United States. Last year, in 2025, a total of 2 acquisitions happened in Aerospace Tech sector in United States.
Here are some recent, important acquisitions in Aerospace Tech sector in United States:
Company | Acquisition Type | Acquisition Date | Acquirers |
|---|---|---|---|
Business Acquisition | Aug 10, 2026 | ||
Business Acquisition | Mar 10, 2026 | ||
Business Acquisition | Jul 24, 2025 | ||
Business Acquisition | Apr 28, 2025 | ||
Business Acquisition | Sep 11, 2024 |
Acquisition trends in Aerospace Tech sector in United States
Here are the acquisition trends in Aerospace Tech sector in United States:
- Total Number of Acquisitions
Year | No. of companies |
|---|---|
2026 | 2 |
2025 | 2 |
2024 | 5 |
2023 | 5 |
2022 | 5 |
2021 | 2 |
2020 | 7 |
2019 | 3 |
2018 | 3 |
2017 | 4 |
IPOs in Aerospace Tech in United States
In the year 2026, till April 2026, 2 IPOs happened in Aerospace Tech sector in United States.
Here are some recent, important IPOs in Aerospace Tech sector in United States:
Company | IPO Date | Exchange Symbol |
|---|---|---|
Apr 17, 2026 | New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) | |
Mar 17, 2026 | National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations (NASDAQ) | |
Nov 04, 2025 | New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) | |
Jan 08, 2021 | New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) | |
Dec 18, 2020 | New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) |
Colleges which produce the most Aerospace Tech companies in United States
Companies founded by alumni from top colleges in the Aerospace Tech in United States
Most number of Aerospace Tech startups in United States have been founded by alumni from Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Stanford University and University of California (Los Angeles).
College | No. of companies |
|---|---|
Massachusetts Institute of Technology | 15 |
Stanford University | 12 |
University of California (Los Angeles) | 4 |
Carnegie Mellon University | 3 |
Duke University | 3 |
Cornell University | 2 |
Harvard University | 2 |
King’s College London | 2 |
New York University | 2 |
Stanford Business School | 2 |
Total funding in Aerospace Tech companies founded by alumni from top colleges in United States
In the last 10 years, Harvard University graduates' Aerospace Tech companies in United States have raised the most funding among top colleges. Massachusetts Institute of Technology alumni are second, and Stanford University alumni are third.
College | Total Funding |
|---|---|
Harvard University | $5.63B |
Massachusetts Institute of Technology | $5.28B |
Stanford University | $1.98B |
University of Chicago | $644M |
Carnegie Mellon University | $577M |
Booth School of Business | $558M |
IIT Guwahati | $450M |
Princeton University | $371M |
Columbia Business School | $138M |
Columbia University | $138M |
Top News in Aerospace Tech in United States
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AEVEX Corp. Announces Financial Results for Second Quarter 2026Business Wire•Aug 13, 2026•AEVEX Aerospace
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AEVEX Secures $88.1 Million Awards to Deliver Long-Range Precision Strike SystemsBusiness Wire•Jul 29, 2026•AEVEX Aerospace
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Is Joby Aviation a Buy After Clearing Its Latest Regulatory Hurdle?The Motley Fool•Jul 01, 2026•Joby Aviation
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AEVEX Corp Announces First Quarter 2026 Earnings Release, Conference Call, and WebcastBusiness Wire•May 13, 2026•AEVEX Aerospace
