This British Propulsion Startup Just Raised $40M with NATO's Backing

Jan de Vries · 2026-07-17

Greenjets, a London-based aerospace technology company building propulsion systems, aircraft platforms, and launch tech for next-gen aviation, just announced a $40 million Series A funding round. That's a big deal for a company that's only been around since 2022. The round was led by Blossom Capital, with participation from the NATO Innovation Fund (NIF), the National Security Strategic Investment Fund (NSSIF), and existing investors like Tanglin Ventures and NSFO Family Office. It's a clear signal that defense and aerospace investors are betting big on new propulsion tech. ### Why This Funding Matters Let's be real: the world of aviation is changing fast, and not just because of commercial air travel. Recent conflicts have shown how quickly drones and other unmanned systems are becoming central to defense. Anmol Manohar and Dr. Guido Monterzino, Greenjets' CEO and CTO, put it plainly: "The conflict in Ukraine has reinforced just how important those same technologies are in protecting lives, strengthening Europe's resilience." They're not wrong. ### What Greenjets Actually Builds Greenjets claims its patented engine technology makes aircraft safer and easier to certify. They've developed proprietary propulsion systems that range from electric ducted fans to geared turbofan engines. By combining these with advanced aircraft integration and low-cost manufacturing, they're creating planes that are quieter, faster, and more efficient. Think about it like this: traditional aircraft engines are often heavy, complex, and expensive. Greenjets is trying to simplify that, making it easier to produce and deploy aircraft at scale. Their integrated portfolio covers propulsion systems, aircraft platforms, and launch technologies, all built on a common tech stack. That means they can iterate fast, produce at scale, and adapt to different aerospace needs without starting from scratch each time. ### The Drone Defense Angle Here's where it gets really interesting. The NATO Innovation Fund pointed out that drones have become the defining weapon of modern conflict. Russia produced over 50,000 Shahed-class attack drones in 2025, up from 11,000 in 2024. And these drones are getting faster. Newer variants can reach speeds of about 310 miles per hour. At those speeds, traditional propeller-based interceptors can't keep up. Turbojets can, but they take up to two minutes to spool up and have supply chain issues. Greenjets fills that gap by providing engines and airframes that can close the speed difference. As Patrick Schneider-Sikorsky, Partner at NIF, said: "Greenjets is addressing this at the engine and airframe level, meaningfully improving the performance of UAS and CUAS companies." ### Growth and Production Scaling The company is already under contract with multiple UK and international programs, and they're moving toward demonstration trials with the UK Ministry of Defence this year. To handle that demand, they've expanded their UK facilities from 12,000 to nearly 70,000 square feet and plan to grow from 160 to over 250 employees. ### What's Next? Greenjets plans to use this funding to accelerate the shift from development to production, aiming to deliver thousands of systems over the next 12 months. They're also investing in AI and further propulsion development. For anyone watching the defense tech space, this is a company to keep an eye on. - **Funding:** $40 million Series A - **Key Investors:** Blossom Capital, NATO Innovation Fund, NSSIF - **Focus:** Propulsion systems, aircraft platforms, launch tech - **Goal:** Scale production and deliver thousands of systems within a year It's a bold vision, but with NATO backing and a clear market need, Greenjets might just pull it off.