Fundraising Fox

Whisper Aero

Tennessee, US · Founded 2020 · Delaware corporation · 85 employees on LinkedIn · 7 known investors

Find your way into Whisper Aero

2,121 people in our graph share verified history with the Whisper Aero team — schools, employers, funds. One of them is your warm intro.

Deep Nisharunlockedknows Ian Villa · together at Stanford University (overlapped)
×8knows the team · via Stanford University
knows the team · via NASA
knows the team · via Massachusetts Institute of Technology
knows the team · via Starburst Aero

Whisper Aero develops electric propulsion technology for aircraft, emphasizing quiet, efficient thrust for urban air mobility and logistics. The company targets aircraft manufacturers and operators seeking next-generation propulsion systems for manned and unmanned vehicles.

Deep TechDefense TechEnergyHardwareMobility & Transportation

Founders & leadership

Whisper Aero was founded in 2020 by Mark Moore and Ian Villa.

MM
Mark MooreinCo-Founder, CEOMark Moore spent 32 years at NASA developing advanced aircraft technologies, including pioneering work on distributed electric propulsion systems and leading experimental aircraft programs. He later co-founded Uber Elevate, where he helped establish aerial ride-sharing as a collaborative ecosystem.
IVIan Villa
Ian VillainCo-Founder, COO, CPOHe previously led strategy and system simulation at Uber Elevate and designed aircraft at Northrop Grumman, and holds B.S. and M.S. degrees in Aeronautics and Astronautics from Stanford University.30 Under 30 2022
DJDevon Jedamski
Devon JedamskiinChief Engineer

Board

SCShawn Carolan
Shawn Carolanin𝕏Board directorGeneral Partner at Menlo CxO
TO
Thiago OlsonBoard director

Investors · 7

Abstract VenturesSan Francisco · $250K – $750K
Launch TennesseeNashville
Lux CapitalNew York · $100K – $100M
Menlo VenturesSan Francisco · $1M – $20M
Service Provider CapitalVail
Aero X VenturesreportedWinston Salem · $500K – $3M
Sequoia CapitalreportedMenlo Park · $4.4M – $214M

Funding

SEC filings, press & company announcements

$42.4M disclosed across 2 of 3 rounds · 2023–2025

▶$41.4MraisedJul 2023 · 38 investors · Other Energy
Rule 506(b)
Officers, directors & promoters on the filing
  • Shawn CarolanDirector
  • Mark MooreExecutive Officer, Director, Promoter
  • Ian VillaExecutive Officer, Director, Promoter
  • Thiago OlsonDirector
Offering amount
$41.4M
Amount sold
$41.4M
First sale
Jan 2023
Incorporated
Corporation, Delaware, 2020
Federal exemptions
06b
Full filing on SEC EDGAR ↗

Source: SEC EDGAR Form D. Amounts as filed; amended filings shown once at their latest values.

Founder mafia

2 people who came through Whisper Aero went on to found or lead other companies.

Mark MooreCo-Founder, CEOFounded WhisperaeroIan VillaCo-Founder, COO, CPOFounded Whisperaero

Competitors · 2

by search overlap
Aiaa30 shared keywordsAIAA is a professional society for the global aerospace industry, providing members with technical publications, conferences, networking events, and industry advocacy. The organization serves scientists, engineers, educators, and managers across the aerospace and space sectors.
Electra23 shared keywordsElectra develops hybrid-electric aircraft for short-distance regional aviation. The company designs sustainable aircraft to enable direct air travel to underserved communities.

Companies competing with Whisper Aero for the same Google search keywords, organic and paid, via search-intersection analysis.

Non-dilutive funding · 5 SBIR/STTR awards

Federal grants — no equity taken
AgencyPhaseYearAmount
U.S. Air ForceAir ForcePhase I2023$74.9K
U.S. Air ForceAir ForcePhase IISTTR2022$750K
U.S. Air ForceAir ForcePhase IISTTR2022$749.9K
U.S. Air ForceAir ForcePhase ISTTR2021$150K
U.S. Air ForceAir ForcePhase ISTTR2021$143.2K

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.

In the news

Benzinga's 'Stock Whisper' Index: 5 Stocks Investors Secretly Monitor But Don't Talk About Yet - SoFi Tecbenzinga.com · Jul 2026Wispr Raises $25M After Signing 270 Fortune 500 Companiesventureburn.com · Nov 2025Whisper Raises $1M in Fundingfinsmes.com · Mar 2025Whisper Raises $1 Million to Scale AI-Powered Behavioral Cloning Sales Technology for Content Creatorsprnewswire.com · Mar 2025AI-Powered Hearing Aid Company Whisper Raises $35M Series Bnews.crunchbase.com · Oct 2020Whisper raises additional £21M fundingmobileworldlive.com · Sep 2013

Frequently asked questions

What does Whisper Aero do?
Whisper Aero develops electric propulsion technology for aircraft, emphasizing quiet, efficient thrust for urban air mobility and logistics. The company targets aircraft manufacturers and operators seeking next-generation propulsion systems for manned and unmanned vehicles.
Who founded Whisper Aero?
Whisper Aero was founded by Mark Moore, Ian Villa in 2020.
Who are Whisper Aero's investors?
Whisper Aero's investors include Abstract Ventures, Launch Tennessee, Lux Capital, Menlo Ventures, Service Provider Capital, Aero X Ventures, Sequoia Capital.
How much funding has Whisper Aero raised?
Whisper Aero has disclosed $42.4M raised across 2 of its 3 known rounds.
Where is Whisper Aero headquartered?
Whisper Aero is headquartered in Tennessee, US.