Vertx’s partnership with Whisper Aero is crucial in its ongoing efforts to transform Appalachia into a hub for AAM investment and innovation.
Vertx Partners is proud to announce a groundbreaking partnership with Whisper Aero, a Tennessee-based propulsion manufacturer known for delivering the quietest, cleanest, and most efficient propulsion systems in aviation. This collaboration marks another step toward the Vertx mission to create a compelling Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) ecosystem in Appalachia.
Founded in 2021 by Mark Moore and Ian Villa, Whisper Aero has rapidly become a critical player in propulsion technology. Located in Crossville, Tennessee, just two hours east of Nashville, Whisper Aero’s innovative propulsion systems have the potential to service key AAM airframers, such as Joby Aviation and Volocopter.
Whisper Aero’s propulsion technology stands out because of its high efficiency and low noise levels, setting a new standard in the industry. Ian Villa, co-founder, COO, and Chief Product Officer at Whisper Aero, highlights the company’s commitment to delivering revolutionary thrust for various applications, from drones to traditional aircraft:
“Whisper Aero is delivering cleaner, quieter, more efficient thrust for drones, for aircraft, for really anything that moves lots of air,” says Villa.
In explaining why he and Mark co-founded Whisper after working for NASA and Uber Elevate, Villa says, “Mark and I realized that no one had developed a propulsion system quiet enough, scalable enough, and efficient enough to unlock this sort of aviation at scale.”
Whisper’s partnership with Vertx Partners is poised to accelerate the former’s growth by providing valuable support in securing federal contracts and navigating the complex landscape of government contracting. The expertise of the Vertx team, garnered from years of experience, positions them as an invaluable partner for companies like Whisper looking to establish themselves in the government sector.
“Navigating the government contracting process is unintuitive, difficult, and challenging, especially if you’ve never spent time in this space,” explains Villa. “Vertx is awesome because you have a bunch of former operators, people who’ve dealt with the process, who help companies like Whisper get to real wins.”
In addition to supporting government contracts, Vertx Partners will play a pivotal role in fostering collaborations between Whisper Aero and other innovative companies, contributing to the growth of AAM in Appalachia.
Andrew Terajewicz, Mechanical Engineer and Head of Product at Whisper Aero, emphasizes the impact of their technology on various applications, stating, “Innovations in aerospace and defense typically take a long time to trickle down to the everyday user. We have the ability to impact people today.”
Devon Jedamski, Chief Engineer at Whisper Aero, also emphasizes the versatility of Whisper’s technology, saying, “We’re working with the DoD – but there are many aerospace applications on the consumer side, too, like UAM, AAM, delivery drones, etc.”
The collaboration between Vertx and Whisper represents a powerful alliance in the aerospace industry and symbolizes the potential for positive transformation in the region. Vertx’s commitment to making Appalachia an attractive hub for AAM investors aligns seamlessly with Whisper Aero’s mission to revolutionize aviation propulsion.
“I’ve been very impressed with the Vertx team’s ability to understand our technology and leverage their government connections to help us secure meaningful contracts,” says Villa. “The alignment of Vertx’s understanding of the government with our understanding of the future of propulsion leads to some really great opportunities down the road.”
With this strategic partnership, Vertx Partners and Whisper Aero are poised to redefine the future of aviation, bringing about cleaner, quieter, and more efficient solutions that will shape the industry for years to come.