The Venture Codex

Participated · Series B · Aug 2025

Loft Dynamics develops VR flight‑training systems, including the world’s only FAA‑ and EASA‑qualified VR helicopter simulator used by customers such as Airbus Helicopters, the Los Angeles Police Department and Air Greenland. The company is building fully integrated hardware and software for airline pilot training, including full‑motion Boeing 737 and Airbus A320 VR airliner simulators that it says are up to 12 times smaller and a fraction of the cost of traditional full‑flight simulators. New systems will feature a multi‑crew replica cockpit, aircraft haptics, body and eye tracking, AI‑powered training intelligence, and LofTWIN—an immersive lesson recording and playback mode. Loft is also developing a spatial computing home training kit to let pilots review sessions and train remotely. The company emphasizes regulatory credibility and aims to scale more accessible, regular training to address pilot shortages and safety. The business has raised $60 million to date and plans to use the latest investment to expand its commercial airline offerings while continuing to grow its core helicopter business. Loft Dynamics, formerly VRM Switzerland and founded in Zurich in 2016, develops virtual reality simulation technology for helicopter pilots. The company has produced simulators for common helicopters, including the single‑turbine Airbus H125, enabling realistic scenarios such as night flying and proficiency checks. Its simulators include force‑feedback to simulate system failures and other issues. In May the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) authorized Loft Dynamics’ Airbus H125 flight training device, allowing pilots to receive training credits for simulator time. The company says its simulators are roughly one‑tenth the size of traditional simulators, making them easier to deploy at scale and reducing costs. Loft positions its platform as a way to help address the global pilot shortage by opening more training opportunities. With a new $20M financing, Loft Dynamics intends to expand beyond Europe into the U.S. market and accelerate support for additional aircraft types.

Participated · Series B · Sep 2024

AIR COMPANY develops a modular, energy-efficient AIRMADE™ platform that transforms captured CO₂ and hydrogen into high-demand synthetic fuels and chemicals. The company is focused on scalable sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) that integrates into existing aircraft and infrastructure. Its technology is designed to strengthen fuel supply chains, bolster energy security, and support domestic job creation. AIR COMPANY has validated its approach through commercial partnerships with airlines including JetBlue and Virgin Atlantic and through multiple government contracts, including with NASA and the Defense Innovation Unit. The company has received industry recognition such as the EPA Green Chemistry Challenge Award and the XPrize for Carbon Removal. New Series B capital will bolster engineering and R&D to accelerate large-scale production of CO₂-derived SAF. Air Company makes vodka, hand sanitizer and eau de parfum from CO2 using a process that converts carbon dioxide, water and solar energy into pure ethanol. The company sells consumer products direct and through distribution partners, and reports its vodka is frequently sold out. Air Company operates its own facilities (not contract manufacturers) to limit transportation emissions and runs them on renewable power, though current volumes are relatively low versus traditional manufacturers. Leadership says the firm intends to transition its technology into industrial sectors to scale impact and displace fossil carbon. The company plans to use new capital to build a third facility housing a commercial-scale carbon utilization system to exponentially increase CO2-derived ethanol and sustainable fuel production. Air Company debuted its CO2-made alcoholic beverage in 2019 and positions itself as a carbon technology company focused on carbon-negative alcohols.

Participated · Series C · Nov 2023

ZeroAvia is an Everett-based sustainable aviation startup building hydrogen-electric airplane engines designed to eliminate carbon emissions from regional flight. The company’s core product replaces conventional jet fuel propulsion with hydrogen fuel cell powertrains. Its engineering roadmap focuses on certifying these engines for commercial use in small regional aircraft. ZeroAvia continues to refine its technology through ground and flight testing programs. The startup recently secured additional capital to support these efforts. Management stated that the new funds will extend the firm’s operating runway for roughly two years, underscoring the importance of continued investment as it advances toward commercialization.

Participated · Series A · Oct 2022

Volantio develops GreenLeaf, a machine-learning platform that optimizes revenue and capacity for fixed-capacity industries, with a strong focus on airlines. The platform shifts demand from nearly sold-out flights to those with more space to increase revenue, lift asset utilization, and improve customer and staff experience. Volantio says its software is automated, mobile-based, and targets post-booking re-accommodation to increase yield and reduce operational costs. The company has more than tripled its customers in the last two years and recently expanded into the live events market via a partnership with Disney Theatrical Group. Volantio plans to use new capital to scale its global team and accelerate product development. The company serves major airlines and entertainment brands globally and maintains a distributed team across the US, the Netherlands, Australia, India, and the Philippines. Volantio is a global leader in post-booking revenue and capacity optimization software for airlines, headquartered in Atlanta. Its flagship web-based platform, Yana, leverages machine learning to drive higher unit revenues and improve capacity utilization after customers have booked flights. Yana proactively identifies flexible passengers on high-demand flights, makes offers (upgrades, travel vouchers, frequent flier points) to move them to lower-demand flights, notifies passengers via mobile days in advance, and automatically rebooks accepted moves. The company says this improves overall customer experience, gives last-minute travelers access to otherwise full flights, and helps airlines maximize network capacity and unit revenue. Volantio has launched both revenue and operations versions of Yana with Qantas, Iberia, Volaris, and Alaska Airlines and reports additional carriers in the pipeline. CEO Azim Barodawala and company statements emphasize the platform’s operational benefits in irregular operations and disruptions.