Natilus Inc.

Natilus Inc. , based in the US, develops innovative blended wing body (BWB) aircraft, enhancing sustainability and operational efficiency in commercial aviation through advanced design and technology. Natilus Inc. specializes in constructing hyper-efficient blended wing body aircraft, headquartered in San Diego, US.

Established in 2016 by founders Aleksey Matyushev, Anatoly Starikov, and LZ Zhang, the company has secured funding through 2 deals, with the most recent being a Seed round in November 2017 that raised USD 0. 75 mn from investors including Draper Associates. The CEO, Aleksey Matyushev, has a background in aerospace innovations. Natilus focuses on the creation of blended wing body (BWB) aircraft designed to enhance fuel efficiency and operational performance for commercial airlines and cargo operators.

The aircraft feature integrated payload structures within the wings, maximizing internal volume and weight efficiency, allowing for increased passenger or cargo capacity. By leveraging advanced aerodynamic design and propulsion technology, Natilus aims to serve global markets, including North America, Europe, and Asia, while addressing environmental challenges in aviation. Natilus generates revenue through long-term contracts with commercial airlines and cargo service providers for the sale of its aircraft. These agreements often include maintenance and support services tailored to customer requirements, focusing on the company's advanced, fuel-efficient aircraft that appeal to operators seeking to update their fleets for improved sustainability.

Following the Seed funding round in November 2017, which raised USD 0. 75 mn, Natilus Inc. plans to utilize these resources to advance the design and production of its e-commerce drone. The company is targeting expansion into new markets, focusing on growing its presence in North America, Europe, and Asia by 2025, with particular emphasis on enhancing its testing operations and commercial partnerships.

In February 2026, Natilus Inc. raised USD 28 million in series A funding led by Draper, with participation from Flexport Ventures, Liquid 2 Ventures, New Vista Capital, Soma Capital Management, Type One Ventures, Veterans Venture Capital, and VU Venture Partners. The February 2026 will use the funding to complete and fly its first full‑scale cargo aircraft prototype and continue development of its passenger aircraft program.