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Seaflight Technologies
YC S22Carson, US · Founded 2022 · Delaware corporation · 4 employees · 9 known investors
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Seaflight develops autonomous electric drones and aircraft with advanced aerodynamic technology for cargo logistics and defense applications. The company specializes in ground effect uncrewed systems, active aerodynamic flow control, and autonomous flight systems for extended range and payload capacity.
Advanced ManufacturingAI & Machine LearningClimate TechDefense TechEnergyHardwareLogistics & Supply ChainRoboticsSpace TechAirplanesLogisticsClimateTransportationAustraliaUnited States of AmericaOceaniaAmerica / CanadaPartly Remote
Founders & leadership· Y Combinator alumni (S22)
Seaflight Technologies was founded in 2022 by Graham Doig and Will Sutton.
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Graham DoigFounder, President, Executive Technical FellowGraham Doig holds a PhD in aerodynamics and has worked in aerospace and automotive for over 18 years, including as a professor with multiple peer-reviewed publications and roles at Lockheed Martin and EV startup Canoo where he led aerodynamics and range development. He has collaborated on research programs with NASA, Tesla, and Joby Aviation.
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William Sutton
Investors · 9
Y Combinator✓ confirmed by Seaflight TechnologiesSan Francisco · $500K
How we know: the company's own site · the Y Combinator directory · funding news · open dataset · 5k.vc investor directory · Not right? Tell us
Collaborative Fundlisted by Collaborative FundNew York · $500K – $1M
How we know: Y Combinator's founder network · collabfund.com · Not right? Tell us
Eight Capitallisted by Eight CapitalNorwalk
How we know: Y Combinator's founder network · eightcapital.com · Not right? Tell us
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Jude Gomilalisted by Jude GomilaLynnwood
How we know: Jude Gomila's portfolio page · Not right? Tell us
10X CapitalreportedNew York
How we know: Y Combinator's founder network · Not right? Tell us
7percent VenturesreportedLondon · $250K – $2M
How we know: the VCSheet dataset · Not right? Tell us
Asymmetry VenturesreportedRichmond · $125K – $500K
How we know: Y Combinator's founder network · Not right? Tell us
Climate CapitalreportedMenlo Park · $25K – $250K
How we know: Y Combinator's founder network · Not right? Tell us
Reported raises · per SEC filings
Form D private placements$1.4M disclosed across 4 rounds · 2022–2023
▶$30KraisedJul 2023 · 1 investors · OtherRule 506(b)
▶$30KraisedJul 2023 · 1 investors · Other
Rule 506(b)Officers, directors & promoters on the filing
- William Robert SuttonExecutive Officer, Director
- Graham Colin DoigExecutive Officer, Director
- Amount sold
- $30K
- Minimum investment
- $1K
- First sale
- Jun 2023
- Incorporated
- Corporation, Delaware, 2022
- Federal exemptions
- 06b
▶$40.1KraisedJan 2023 · 1 investors · OtherRule 506(b)
▶$40.1KraisedJan 2023 · 1 investors · Other
Rule 506(b)Officers, directors & promoters on the filing
- William Robert SuttonExecutive Officer, Director
- Graham Colin DoigExecutive Officer, Director
- Amount sold
- $40.1K
- Minimum investment
- $1K
- First sale
- Dec 2022
- Incorporated
- Corporation, Delaware, 2022
- Federal exemptions
- 06b
▶$450KraisedNov 2022 · 1 investors · OtherRule 506(b)
▶$450KraisedNov 2022 · 1 investors · Other
Rule 506(b)Officers, directors & promoters on the filing
- Graham Colin DoigExecutive Officer, Director
- William Robert SuttonExecutive Officer, Director
- Amount sold
- $450K
- Minimum investment
- $1K
- First sale
- Oct 2022
- Incorporated
- Corporation, Delaware, 2022
- Federal exemptions
- 06b
▶$885.7KraisedOct 2022 · 18 investors · OtherRule 506(b)
▶$885.7KraisedOct 2022 · 18 investors · Other
Rule 506(b)Officers, directors & promoters on the filing
- Graham Colin DoigExecutive Officer, Director
- William Robert SuttonExecutive Officer, Director
- Amount sold
- $885.7K
- Minimum investment
- $1K
- Proceeds to insiders
- $411K
- First sale
- Jul 2022
- Incorporated
- Corporation, Delaware, 2022
- Federal exemptions
- 06b
Source: SEC EDGAR Form D. Amounts as filed; amended filings shown once at their latest values.
The YC application· Summer 2022 batch
Alumni Q&A
- How did your company get started? (i.e., How did the founders meet? How did you come up with the idea? How did you decide to be a founder?)
- Founders Graham and Will Sutton built the first prototypes in their garages before joining YC. Their premise was that using aerodynamics to make electric planes significantly more efficient would deliver viable range sooner than expected.
- What's the history of your company from getting started until the present day? What were the big inflection points?
- Seaflight began by developing "wingships," craft that fly a few feet above the water for added efficiency, building 6 prototypes and setting flight records in Australia before performance and market data prompted a pivot. With funding from the National Science Foundation and the US Air Force, the company developed its Aerodynamic Flow Control and saw stronger demand for an efficient cargo drone able to operate from short airfields. The Australian Government has funded a $2m project to build a full flight demonstrator of the cargo drone by 2026, which will be the company's first saleable product for defense and commercial operators.
- What is your long-term vision? If you truly succeed, what will be different about the world?
- The founders aim to make short-distance flight electric, quiet, direct, and low cost, positioning the company as a developer of high-lift technologies and a producer of large-capacity drones for use across electrified flight applications.
Summarized from the founders' answers on their Y Combinator profile.
Images
Related companies · 7
bluefliteBlueflite develops electric drones for logistics and package delivery, with vertical take-off and landing capabilities designed for last-mile deliveries, emergency medical transport, and industrial supply missions. The platform integrates hardware and cloud-based software for mission planning, control, and customer order management.
PykaPyka develops all-electric cargo aircraft for military logistics applications. The company delivers autonomous aircraft to the U.S. Air Force through AFWERX to support contested logistics operations.
DuffelDuffel provides APIs and software infrastructure that enable companies to offer flights and hotel bookings to their customers. The platform is designed for travel sellers, including airlines, hospitality businesses, and travel platforms seeking to integrate travel commerce capabilities.
InspiredflightInspired Flight makes GS-ONE, a dedicated ground control station for its IF800 Tomcat and IF1200A drones, featuring a 7-inch touchscreen, AES-128 encrypted communication, and hot-swappable batteries. The controller is Blue UAS and NDAA compliant and targets professional and U.S. government/enterprise drone operators.
Talyn AirTalyn develops unmanned, battery-electric cargo aircraft that take off and land without runways using a two-vehicle system for regional cargo transport. The company is building aircraft capable of carrying 1000-lb payloads over 300 miles at 200+ mph.
Wright ElectricWright Electric develops high-power-density power systems and inverter generators for defense, aerospace, commercial, and industrial applications. The company serves defense users requiring distributed power for advanced electronic warfare and airborne systems, as well as commercial customers in data centers, oil and gas, and construction.
Stralis AircraftStralis develops hydrogen-electric aircraft for long-range passenger and cargo delivery applications. The company is designing aircraft that combine hydrogen fuel cells with electric propulsion for aviation.
Companies working in the same space as Seaflight Technologies.
Non-dilutive funding · 1 SBIR/STTR award
Federal grants — no equity taken| Agency | Phase | Year | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| National Science Foundation | Phase I | 2023 | $275K |
Source: SBIR.gov award data (U.S. Small Business Administration). SBIR/STTR awards are competitive federal R&D grants and contracts — non-dilutive capital alongside any venture rounds above.
Legal entities · 1
corporate structureSeaflight Technologies Inc.
In the news
Frequently asked questions
- What does Seaflight Technologies do?
- Seaflight develops autonomous electric drones and aircraft with advanced aerodynamic technology for cargo logistics and defense applications. The company specializes in ground effect uncrewed systems, active aerodynamic flow control, and autonomous flight systems for extended range and payload capacity.
- Who founded Seaflight Technologies?
- Seaflight Technologies was founded by Graham Doig, Will Sutton in 2022.
- Who are Seaflight Technologies's investors?
- Seaflight Technologies's investors include Y Combinator, Collaborative Fund, Eight Capital, Gaingels, Jude Gomila, 10X Capital, 7percent Ventures, Asymmetry Ventures and 1 more.
- How much funding has Seaflight Technologies raised?
- Seaflight Technologies has disclosed $1.4M raised across 4 rounds.
- Where is Seaflight Technologies headquartered?
- Seaflight Technologies is headquartered in Carson, US.