Draper Associates

Draper Associates is an early-stage venture capital firm investing globally in innovative teams building transformative companies across industries such as new media, gaming, SaaS, cloud, fintech, IoT, and mobile. Founded in 1985, the firm encourages entrepreneurs to drive business growth, create jobs, and generate wealth through disruptive technologies.

Sahir Ali

Limited Partner

Maxime Bucaille

Investor

Zachary Cefaratti

Venture Partner

Tim Draper

Partner

Daniel Sangyoon Kim

Analyst

Megan Kurohara

Investor

Tyrone Lee

Venture Partner

Siri Srinivas

Investment Team

James Walker

Principal

Past deals in Aerospace

Firehawk Aerospace

Series C in 2025
Firehawk Aerospace is a private aerospace company focused on advanced rocket propulsion technology. It develops rocket engines and propulsion systems with efficiency and reliability comparable to liquid bi-propellant engines while maintaining safety and simplicity akin to hybrid engines. The firm uses proprietary additive manufacturing to produce 3D-printed fuel grains tailored to specific sizes and thrust profiles, enabling customized, scalable propulsion solutions. Founded in 2018 and based in Melbourne, Florida, with an additional office in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Firehawk aims to improve space transportation efficiency, safety, and cost competitiveness.

Cognitive Space

Seed Round in 2023
Cognitive Space is a company that specializes in developing an artificial intelligence platform aimed at enhancing satellite constellation management. By leveraging machine intelligence, the platform facilitates mission management, collections planning, and communications link coordination for satellite operators. This innovative technology enables organizations to optimize their satellite capacity in response to dynamic market demands, thereby unlocking significant revenue and operational potential. Cognitive Space's solutions contribute to more effective monitoring of Earth, supporting economic, environmental, and national security initiatives within the rapidly evolving space industry.

Alef Aeronautics

Venture Round in 2023
Alef Aeronautics is a sustainable electric transportation company designing and developing a road-legal passenger vehicle capable of vertical takeoff and forward flight. Its aim is to enable faster, easier commutes and alleviate urban congestion through proprietary technology that raises the vehicle safely and quietly above everyday traffic. The company was established in 2015 in Santa Clara, California.

Rosotics

Pre Seed Round in 2023
Rosotics designs, builds, and operates metal 3D printing platforms for aerospace, naval, and defense applications. It specializes in induction-based metal additive manufacturing and offers large-scale printers developed and operated in-house to produce integrated structural flight hardware and complex components that are difficult or impossible to fabricate with traditional methods. The platforms provide end-to-end production capability with integrated licensing, enabling enhanced efficiency and flexibility in manufacturing.

Team Wildfire

Pre Seed Round in 2023
Team Wildfire is a company dedicated to developing innovative technologies aimed at wildfire suppression and environmental protection. It manufactures specialized jet engine sprays designed to effectively suppress fires, capture embers, and defend structures while also hardening evacuation routes. The company's advanced engineering and tactics address various environmental challenges, including wildfire mitigation, reforestation, dust control, oil spill cleanup, and protection against nuclear and biological threats. Through its cutting-edge solutions, Team Wildfire enables organizations to safeguard people, property, and the environment.

Team Wildfire

Seed Round in 2023
Team Wildfire is a company dedicated to developing innovative technologies aimed at wildfire suppression and environmental protection. It manufactures specialized jet engine sprays designed to effectively suppress fires, capture embers, and defend structures while also hardening evacuation routes. The company's advanced engineering and tactics address various environmental challenges, including wildfire mitigation, reforestation, dust control, oil spill cleanup, and protection against nuclear and biological threats. Through its cutting-edge solutions, Team Wildfire enables organizations to safeguard people, property, and the environment.

Slingshot Aerospace

Series A in 2022
Founded in 2016, Slingshot Aerospace develops mission-critical data and analytics solutions for the aerospace industry. Its platforms integrate global sensor data, artificial intelligence, and astrodynamics to enhance spaceflight awareness, reduce operational risk, and optimize decision-making for commercial and government space operators.

Gravitics

Seed Round in 2022
Gravitics, Inc. specializes in the design and manufacturing of large space structures, including orbital carriers, cargo logistics spacecraft, and space station modules. The company is focused on developing aerospace station technology that serves as the foundation for human life in space. Utilizing next-generation hardware, Gravitics' innovations facilitate shipyard-style fabrication within the aerospace sector, providing clients with versatile interfacing options and robust space armor. Through its advancements, Gravitics aims to redefine space superiority and promote commercial development in Earth orbit and beyond.

Alef Aeronautics

Seed Round in 2022
Alef Aeronautics is a sustainable electric transportation company designing and developing a road-legal passenger vehicle capable of vertical takeoff and forward flight. Its aim is to enable faster, easier commutes and alleviate urban congestion through proprietary technology that raises the vehicle safely and quietly above everyday traffic. The company was established in 2015 in Santa Clara, California.

Firehawk Aerospace

Series B in 2022
Firehawk Aerospace is a private aerospace company focused on advanced rocket propulsion technology. It develops rocket engines and propulsion systems with efficiency and reliability comparable to liquid bi-propellant engines while maintaining safety and simplicity akin to hybrid engines. The firm uses proprietary additive manufacturing to produce 3D-printed fuel grains tailored to specific sizes and thrust profiles, enabling customized, scalable propulsion solutions. Founded in 2018 and based in Melbourne, Florida, with an additional office in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Firehawk aims to improve space transportation efficiency, safety, and cost competitiveness.

Outpost

Seed Round in 2022
Outpost Technologies is focused on advancing sustainable space exploration by developing reusable satellite technologies. The company aims to transform the space industry by providing efficient services for launching and returning payloads to Earth. By emphasizing reusable systems, Outpost seeks to reduce the costs and time associated with space missions, thereby fostering a more sustainable and iterative space economy. Their offerings include Earth return capabilities for satellites and support for orbital payload missions, catering to the needs of clients in the aviation and aerospace sectors. An inquiry form on their website facilitates customer engagement and service requests.

Rosotics

Pre Seed Round in 2022
Rosotics designs, builds, and operates metal 3D printing platforms for aerospace, naval, and defense applications. It specializes in induction-based metal additive manufacturing and offers large-scale printers developed and operated in-house to produce integrated structural flight hardware and complex components that are difficult or impossible to fabricate with traditional methods. The platforms provide end-to-end production capability with integrated licensing, enabling enhanced efficiency and flexibility in manufacturing.

M Aerospace RTC

Pre Seed Round in 2022
Founded in 2018, M Aerospace RTC is an aerospace company based in Austin, Texas. It specializes in large-scale metal 3D printing technology and services, offering a wide range of metal materials and the capacity to produce large pieces.

Venus Aerospace

Series A in 2022
Founded in 2020, Venus Aerospace is a startup focused on engineering the future of hypersonic flight. The company specializes in developing rotating detonation rocket engines (RDRE) and high-speed vehicles for research, defense, and commercial missions, aiming to provide fast transportation with improved range and performance at a cost-effective rate.

Aquarian Space

Seed Round in 2022
Aquarian Space is a developer focused on creating a high-speed communication network for interplanetary exploration. The company addresses significant challenges in lunar and deep space communications, aiming to build the essential infrastructure that will facilitate human expansion throughout the solar system. By enhancing current communications capabilities, Aquarian Space enables exponentially greater data transmission and communication, thereby supporting the aerospace industry's progress into new frontiers.

Slingshot Aerospace

Series A in 2022
Founded in 2016, Slingshot Aerospace develops mission-critical data and analytics solutions for the aerospace industry. Its platforms integrate global sensor data, artificial intelligence, and astrodynamics to enhance spaceflight awareness, reduce operational risk, and optimize decision-making for commercial and government space operators.

Alef Aeronautics

Seed Round in 2021
Alef Aeronautics is a sustainable electric transportation company designing and developing a road-legal passenger vehicle capable of vertical takeoff and forward flight. Its aim is to enable faster, easier commutes and alleviate urban congestion through proprietary technology that raises the vehicle safely and quietly above everyday traffic. The company was established in 2015 in Santa Clara, California.

Alef Aeronautics

Seed Round in 2021
Alef Aeronautics is a sustainable electric transportation company designing and developing a road-legal passenger vehicle capable of vertical takeoff and forward flight. Its aim is to enable faster, easier commutes and alleviate urban congestion through proprietary technology that raises the vehicle safely and quietly above everyday traffic. The company was established in 2015 in Santa Clara, California.

Venus Aerospace

Seed Round in 2021
Founded in 2020, Venus Aerospace is a startup focused on engineering the future of hypersonic flight. The company specializes in developing rotating detonation rocket engines (RDRE) and high-speed vehicles for research, defense, and commercial missions, aiming to provide fast transportation with improved range and performance at a cost-effective rate.

Precious Payload

Seed Round in 2020
Precious Payload provides a space management platform built on a unified format and APIs to accelerate decision making in the space industry. It helps space entrepreneurs test business and technology hypotheses more quickly and at lower cost, and offers end-to-end mission services including launch scheduling, insurance, licensing, and component selection. The platform enables satellite operators and service providers to design, book, and execute missions efficiently by reducing planning time and streamlining communications.

Precious Payload

Seed Round in 2020
Precious Payload provides a space management platform built on a unified format and APIs to accelerate decision making in the space industry. It helps space entrepreneurs test business and technology hypotheses more quickly and at lower cost, and offers end-to-end mission services including launch scheduling, insurance, licensing, and component selection. The platform enables satellite operators and service providers to design, book, and execute missions efficiently by reducing planning time and streamlining communications.

Alef Aeronautics

Seed Round in 2020
Alef Aeronautics is a sustainable electric transportation company designing and developing a road-legal passenger vehicle capable of vertical takeoff and forward flight. Its aim is to enable faster, easier commutes and alleviate urban congestion through proprietary technology that raises the vehicle safely and quietly above everyday traffic. The company was established in 2015 in Santa Clara, California.

JetPack Aviation

Seed Round in 2019
JetPack Aviation Corporation is a manufacturer based in Chatsworth, California, specializing in the design and production of vertical take-off and landing aircraft. The company offers two primary products: the Military/Commercial Speeder, a flying motorcycle intended for military and commercial use, and the Recreational Speeder, designed for personal transportation. These innovative vehicles are equipped with kerosene, diesel, and twin-turbo jet engines, enabling rapid ascent and efficient movement. JetPack Aviation's products serve a variety of applications, including the swift transport of medical supplies, personnel insertion and extraction during military operations, and logistics support in challenging environments. Founded in 2015, the company aims to revolutionize transportation for both people and goods, significantly reducing travel times.

Alef Aeronautics

Seed Round in 2018
Alef Aeronautics is a sustainable electric transportation company designing and developing a road-legal passenger vehicle capable of vertical takeoff and forward flight. Its aim is to enable faster, easier commutes and alleviate urban congestion through proprietary technology that raises the vehicle safely and quietly above everyday traffic. The company was established in 2015 in Santa Clara, California.

Natilus

Seed Round in 2017
Natilus Inc. is a California-based company that specializes in manufacturing aircraft drones for freight forwarding. Founded in 2016 by Aleksey Matyushev and Anatoly Starikov, the company aims to transform the air cargo industry through innovative designs and advanced technology. With a team of engineering experts who have extensive experience in various aviation sectors, Natilus seeks to reduce air freight costs and improve accessibility for underdeveloped areas, ultimately enhancing global supply chain efficiency and sustainability. Its aircraft, including the Kona short-haul UAV, Alisio medium/long-range UAV, and Nordes long-range UAV, are constructed from carbon fiber composites and utilize existing ground infrastructure and standard air cargo containers. This design allows for remote piloting capabilities and positions Natilus to capitalize on a significant market opportunity, projecting an expansion of the air freight sector to $470 billion through cost reductions and increased efficiency.

Gravity Industries

Venture Round in 2017
Gravity Industries designs and develops a propulsion-based flight system that combines body-mounted mini jet engines with an exoskeletal suit to enable vertical takeoff and controlled flight. The suit uses the pilot's shifting body weight and arm movements as thrust control, and is intended for commercial and entertainment applications. Founded in 2017 by Richard Browning, the company is based in Barnet, United Kingdom, and is known for pioneering human propulsion technology and demonstrating the world's first propulsion suit.

Mothership Aeronautics

Seed Round in 2017
Mothership Aeronautics Limited is a company that specializes in the development and manufacture of solar-powered airships designed for various inspection, surveillance, and monitoring applications. Founded in 2016 and based in South San Francisco, California, the company integrates lighter-than-air lifting technologies with high power density photovoltaics. Its offerings include infrastructure inspection, magnetic sensing, terrain mapping, thermal sensing, as well as the inspection of solar panels and wind turbines. In addition, Mothership Aeronautics provides data processing services that encompass 3D and digital modeling, mapping, and planimetrics. The company serves a diverse range of industries, including oil and gas, road and rail transportation, mining, and renewable energy.

Alef Aeronautics

Pre Seed Round in 2017
Alef Aeronautics is a sustainable electric transportation company designing and developing a road-legal passenger vehicle capable of vertical takeoff and forward flight. Its aim is to enable faster, easier commutes and alleviate urban congestion through proprietary technology that raises the vehicle safely and quietly above everyday traffic. The company was established in 2015 in Santa Clara, California.

Mothership Aeronautics

Seed Round in 2017
Mothership Aeronautics Limited is a company that specializes in the development and manufacture of solar-powered airships designed for various inspection, surveillance, and monitoring applications. Founded in 2016 and based in South San Francisco, California, the company integrates lighter-than-air lifting technologies with high power density photovoltaics. Its offerings include infrastructure inspection, magnetic sensing, terrain mapping, thermal sensing, as well as the inspection of solar panels and wind turbines. In addition, Mothership Aeronautics provides data processing services that encompass 3D and digital modeling, mapping, and planimetrics. The company serves a diverse range of industries, including oil and gas, road and rail transportation, mining, and renewable energy.

Positron Dynamics

Private Equity Round in 2017
Positron Dynamics, LLC is a technology company based in Port Angeles, Washington, founded in 2011 by Ryan Weed and Joshua Machacek. The company specializes in the development of advanced positron production and storage technologies. It offers semiconductor diagnostic tools designed to detect defects at the atomic level and focuses on applications such as non-destructive testing for aerospace and defense components. Positron Dynamics has developed innovative methods for generating and moderating cold positrons, which are also utilized in propulsion systems aimed at transforming spacecraft operations. The company's propulsion technology harnesses intense beams of cold positrons, potentially enabling the creation of efficient, anti-matter-powered spacecraft for deep space exploration. With several patents awarded for its pioneering technologies, Positron Dynamics is positioned at the forefront of research and development in the field of positron applications.

Natilus

Seed Round in 2016
Natilus Inc. is a California-based company that specializes in manufacturing aircraft drones for freight forwarding. Founded in 2016 by Aleksey Matyushev and Anatoly Starikov, the company aims to transform the air cargo industry through innovative designs and advanced technology. With a team of engineering experts who have extensive experience in various aviation sectors, Natilus seeks to reduce air freight costs and improve accessibility for underdeveloped areas, ultimately enhancing global supply chain efficiency and sustainability. Its aircraft, including the Kona short-haul UAV, Alisio medium/long-range UAV, and Nordes long-range UAV, are constructed from carbon fiber composites and utilize existing ground infrastructure and standard air cargo containers. This design allows for remote piloting capabilities and positions Natilus to capitalize on a significant market opportunity, projecting an expansion of the air freight sector to $470 billion through cost reductions and increased efficiency.

Tempo Automation Holdings

Seed Round in 2015
Tempo Automation Holdings, established in 2013 and headquartered in San Francisco, specializes in manufacturing low-volume electronics products. The company's core business involves designing and assembling printed circuit boards (PCBs) using a unique, software-automated platform. This platform enables Tempo to provide unparalleled speed, quality, and transparency, particularly during the critical prototype and new product introduction stages. Serving leading innovators across industries such as aerospace, medical technology, and automotive, Tempo Automation empowers its customers to accelerate product development and time to market.

Reaction Dynamics

Reaction Dynamics is a pioneering rocket company developing breakthrough launch technology based on hybrid propulsion. Its innovative approach significantly reduces environmental impact compared to current technologies, aiming for regular and low-cost access to space.
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