Starburst Ventures

F-drones is a developer and manufacturer specializing in transition drones that facilitate aerial deliveries to ships and offshore platforms. Their innovative drones are engineered for heavy payloads and long-range capabilities, allowing them to take off vertically, fly like fixed-wing aircraft, and land on moving targets. This design not only enhances operational efficiency but also contributes to cost savings, reduced manpower, and lower carbon emissions in marine and offshore logistics. F-drones aims to establish itself as a leader in heavy payload drone logistics across various industries within five years, setting high safety and reliability standards for aviation-grade drone deliveries.

Robotic Skies, Inc. is a provider of maintenance and repair services for commercial unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and advanced air mobility aircraft (AAM). Founded in 2013 and based in Albuquerque, New Mexico, the company operates a global network of over 150 independently-owned repair stations. These stations are staffed by aviation professionals with expertise in maintaining both manned and unmanned aircraft, ensuring high standards of safety and efficiency. Robotic Skies offers a comprehensive field service program designed to keep UAS fleets operational and compliant with aviation regulations. This approach enables it to deliver specialized certification, maintenance, and repair services to emerging commercial drone operators worldwide.

Odys Aviation is an aircraft startup focused on developing hybrid-electric vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft aimed at enhancing regional mobility. The company aims to transform air travel by facilitating the creation of distributed aerial transportation networks that bypass traditional airport infrastructure, significantly reducing door-to-door travel times. By integrating advanced technologies, Odys Aviation seeks to promote electrification and sustainability in air travel, improving the overall human experience and offering innovative solutions for businesses in the transportation sector.

Ascent is a multifaceted company focused on revolutionizing urban air mobility and enhancing risk management services. It specializes in temporary safety staffing, training, consulting, inspections, and case management. Additionally, Ascent is developing an innovative urban air mobility ecosystem that utilizes advanced helicopters, drones, and future electric vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft. This initiative aims to transform transportation by enabling quick and efficient connections for people and goods, significantly reducing costs in urban and regional air travel. Customers can easily book flights and enjoy amenities at dedicated vertiports, while also having access to cargo drones and helicopters for transporting critical medical supplies across challenging terrains. Through these services, Ascent strives to create a seamless travel experience and set the foundation for 21st-century transportation.

First Resonance, Inc. is a software company based in Los Angeles, California, established in 2018. It focuses on developing a manufacturing platform designed to enhance the operational efficiency of modern manufacturers. The company's factory operating system streamlines manufacturing processes by tracking parts and workflows from the prototype stage to full-scale production. This platform provides engineers with the tools to manage, execute, analyze, and share hardware tests throughout the product development cycle. Additionally, it offers decision-makers valuable insights into manufacturing bottlenecks, enabling rapid iterations and facilitating quicker time-to-market outcomes. First Resonance serves various industries, including aviation, energy, and automation, helping manufacturers reliably manage their parts, processes, and data throughout the product life cycle.

Mobius.energy specializes in creating innovative battery module architectures designed to enhance efficiency in energy storage and management. The company's offerings include lightweight, compact battery systems that prioritize safety and rapid cooling. These modules are engineered for easy maintenance, allowing for on-site swapping and cell replacement without the need for welding or bonding. Additionally, Mobius.energy provides battery subscription services, maintenance, and recycling solutions, aiming to support the aviation industry in reducing carbon emissions through more sustainable energy practices.

Cluster helps companies hire 30+ types of mechanical and electrical engineers for full-time roles. The Cluster platform matches companies to vetted ready-to-interview candidates from top OEMs and suppliers. The platform is free for talent to join. We work with industry leading companies in electric vehicles, aviation, space, telecom, auto, consumer electronics and hardware. For more information, visit www.clusterinc.com/.

ZeroAvia, Inc. is a company focused on developing zero-emission aircraft for commercial short-haul flights. Established in 2017 and headquartered in Hollister, California, with an office in Cranfield, United Kingdom, ZeroAvia specializes in hydrogen-electric propulsion systems. These systems are designed to eliminate aviation emissions while ensuring operational efficiency. The company aims to provide scalable technologies that can retrofit existing aircraft, thereby facilitating a transition to sustainable aviation. By collaborating with various stakeholders, ZeroAvia seeks to revolutionize the aviation industry through cleaner and more efficient flight options. Their powertrain utilizes a hydrogen fuel-cell system in limited-seat fixed-wing aircraft, which not only reduces emissions but also allows for the use of existing infrastructure, thus simplifying regulatory challenges and lowering both fuel and maintenance costs for aviation companies.

Paladin AI Inc. is a Montreal-based company that specializes in developing software solutions aimed at optimizing pilot training through data mining and machine learning. Founded in 2013, Paladin AI offers a platform called InstructIQ, which utilizes artificial intelligence to analyze pilot proficiency and recommend targeted training adjustments. The platform is flight simulator agnostic, allowing it to integrate seamlessly with existing training media and operations at flight schools and training centers. By leveraging data science, Paladin AI enables competency-based training that objectively identifies pilot strengths and weaknesses, fills knowledge gaps, and customizes training experiences. This approach not only accelerates the training process but also helps reduce costs for airlines and training organizations.

Airfree SAS is a company that specializes in developing and operating an in-flight e-commerce marketplace for duty-free products. Founded in 2016 and headquartered in Montreuil, France, Airfree offers a comprehensive e-commerce platform that facilitates in-flight shopping. Key features of its platform include a white-label marketplace, international e-commerce capabilities, a dynamic product catalog, and secure online payment solutions. The company contracts with vendors to integrate their products into the marketplace, providing airlines with additional revenue opportunities and enhancing the passenger shopping experience. Airfree's services extend to consulting on sales strategies, customer service, and website management, ultimately benefiting passengers through seamless navigation and convenience, airlines through increased revenue, and retailers through access to targeted audiences. The platform also allows airports to engage passengers beyond physical borders, generating additional non-aeronautical revenue.

Airfree SAS is a company that specializes in developing and operating an in-flight e-commerce marketplace for duty-free products. Founded in 2016 and headquartered in Montreuil, France, Airfree offers a comprehensive e-commerce platform that facilitates in-flight shopping. Key features of its platform include a white-label marketplace, international e-commerce capabilities, a dynamic product catalog, and secure online payment solutions. The company contracts with vendors to integrate their products into the marketplace, providing airlines with additional revenue opportunities and enhancing the passenger shopping experience. Airfree's services extend to consulting on sales strategies, customer service, and website management, ultimately benefiting passengers through seamless navigation and convenience, airlines through increased revenue, and retailers through access to targeted audiences. The platform also allows airports to engage passengers beyond physical borders, generating additional non-aeronautical revenue.

Ampaire Inc. is a company that designs and develops electric-powered commercial aircraft, aimed at making aviation cleaner, quieter, and more accessible. Founded in 2016 and headquartered in Hawthorne, California, Ampaire focuses on innovative solutions in energy storage, propulsion, and aircraft architecture. Their custom propulsion systems are scalable, allowing for various aircraft sizes while significantly reducing operational costs and minimizing carbon emissions. As a portfolio company of the Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator, Ampaire is committed to addressing climate change through low-emission aviation technologies, enhancing the efficiency and sustainability of air travel.

Airfree SAS is a company that specializes in developing and operating an in-flight e-commerce marketplace for duty-free products. Founded in 2016 and headquartered in Montreuil, France, Airfree offers a comprehensive e-commerce platform that facilitates in-flight shopping. Key features of its platform include a white-label marketplace, international e-commerce capabilities, a dynamic product catalog, and secure online payment solutions. The company contracts with vendors to integrate their products into the marketplace, providing airlines with additional revenue opportunities and enhancing the passenger shopping experience. Airfree's services extend to consulting on sales strategies, customer service, and website management, ultimately benefiting passengers through seamless navigation and convenience, airlines through increased revenue, and retailers through access to targeted audiences. The platform also allows airports to engage passengers beyond physical borders, generating additional non-aeronautical revenue.

AirMap is helping make drones a part of everyday life by building the foundations for the low-altitude air navigation systems of the future. The emergence of small, powerful, and autonomous drones, is transforming society. Drones are being used for agriculture, public safety, aerial photography and cinematography, and soon, package delivery. The next century of aviation innovation is happening at the local level, not across oceans, and it's happening below 500 feet. AirMap is organizing this low altitude information so innovation can take flight. AirMap works collaboratively with industry partners to create the future for drones. It focuses exclusively on providing airspace information so that others in the nascent industry can build amazing vehicles and applications. AirMap is a member of the Small UAV Coalition and the NASA Unmanned Traffic Management (UTM) program.