How a $40M Series A with NATO Backing Could Reshape European Aerospace

Jan de Vries · 2026-07-17

Greenjets, a London-based startup that builds propulsion systems, aircraft platforms, and launch technologies for next-gen aviation, just announced a massive $40 million Series A funding round. The round was led by Blossom Capital, with participation from the NATO Innovation Fund (NIF) and the UK's National Security Strategic Investment Fund (NSSIF). This isn't your typical startup funding news. It's a signal that European defense and aerospace tech is entering a new phase, one where venture capital meets national security. ### The Funding Details Here's who backed Greenjets and how much they put in: - **Lead investor:** Blossom Capital (amount undisclosed) - **Strategic investors:** NATO Innovation Fund (NIF), National Security Strategic Investment Fund (NSSIF) - **Existing investors:** Tanglin Ventures, NSFO Family Office, and others The total round was $40 million, with the company converting its $35 million euro target to USD for this announcement. ### Why This Matters for European Startups Greenjets was founded in 2022 by Anmol Manohar (CEO) and Dr. Guido Monterzino (CTO). Their mission? To build the technologies that would shape the future of aviation. But as Manohar and Monterzino put it, the conflict in Ukraine changed everything. "When we founded Greenjets, our ambition was to develop the technologies that would shape the future of aviation," they said in a joint statement. "The conflict in Ukraine has reinforced just how important those same technologies are in protecting lives, strengthening Europe's resilience and enabling the future of flight." The company claims its patented engine technology increases aircraft safety and reduces certification burden. They've developed proprietary propulsion architectures that span everything from electric ducted fans to geared turbofan engines. ### The Technology Behind the Hype Greenjets' core innovation is in propulsion. They've built a common technology stack that powers three product lines: - **Propulsion systems** for drones and aircraft - **Aircraft platforms** that integrate their engines - **Launch technologies** for deploying these systems According to the company, combining advanced aircraft integration with low-cost manufacturing enables aircraft that are quieter, faster, and more efficient than traditional alternatives. ### The Defense Angle: Drones and Interceptors Here's where things get interesting. The NATO Innovation Fund explained why they invested: "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," NIF stated. "As these are getting faster, the predominant challenges of intercepting them become not only economic but also capability driven." Newer Shahed drone variants can reach speeds of 310 mph. At those speeds, propeller-based interceptors struggle to catch them. Turbojets can, but they take up to two minutes to spool up and have constrained supply chains. Greenjets provides the underlying engines and airframes to close this gap. ### What's Next for Greenjets The company is already under contract across multiple UK and international programs. Technologies are progressing toward demonstration trials with the UK Ministry of Defence and partners this year. Greenjets has expanded its UK facilities from 12,000 to nearly 70,000 square feet. They're on track to grow from 160 to more than 250 employees, supporting the transition from development to production. Patrick Schneider-Sikorsky, Partner at NIF, summed it up: "The speed at which the defense and security drone industry is evolving means that propulsion is the constraint that determines whether an interceptor can close the gap on a 310 mph target or vice versa. Greenjets is addressing this at the engine and airframe level, meaningfully improving the performance of UAS and CUAS companies, without them having to solve propulsion independently." The company plans to use this funding to accelerate its transition from development to production, supporting the delivery of thousands of systems over the next 12 months. Alongside scaling production, the investment will accelerate development across its propulsion, AI, and manufacturing capabilities. ### The Bigger Picture This funding round shows how European defense tech is evolving. Startups like Greenjets are bridging the gap between commercial innovation and national security needs. With NATO backing, they're not just building better engines; they're building the infrastructure for a new kind of defense ecosystem. For US-based investors and startups watching the European market, this is a trend worth tracking. The line between civilian aerospace and defense technology is blurring, and the opportunities are real.