Investing in startups pioneering sustainable solutions is a key pillar of JetBlue Ventures’ strategy. Our commitment to sustainability includes revolutionizing how we fly and transforming aviation into an eco-friendly industry. This requires fundamentally rethinking aircraft design, fuel sources, and propulsion systems. Our goal is to drive meaningful change in sustainable aviation, supporting JetBlue’s net-zero carbon goals and the broader aviation industry’s sustainability objectives.
We are excited to back some of the most cutting-edge innovators developing technologies to accurately measure and mitigate emissions, improve environmental protections, and enable revolutionary propulsion systems for cleaner transportation. To date, we’ve invested in 14 companies that fall within our sustainability theme or whose technology contributes to sustainability.
Measuring & Mitigating Emissions
You can’t manage what you don’t measure. For companies to truly reduce their environmental impact, they need comprehensive emissions data and reporting capabilities. That’s one of the reasons we invested in Pulsora, a leading platform that helps organizations collect, analyze, and disclose their environmental, social, and governance (ESG) metrics. With Pulsora’s all-in-one platform, companies can track their carbon footprint, set reduction targets, and improve sustainability performance over time.
But measuring emissions is only half the battle. The industry benefits from impactful solutions for mitigating those emissions at scale. Rubicon Carbon is doing just that by applying proven financial innovation to the carbon credits market. Rubicon Carbon’s scientifically rigorous approach simplifies and de-risks investments into high-quality carbon removal projects that verifiably pull CO2 from the atmosphere.
Environmental Protection Through Sustainable Aviation Fuel
Advancing decarbonization efforts and achieving JetBlue’s net-zero goals is a driving force behind our sustainability investment theme. We’ve backed several innovative companies in the sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) space that have made significant advancements, each playing a crucial role in various parts of the SAF production pathway. Our investments include SAF production companies and carbon capture technologies.
Carbon capture is essential in advancing decarbonization efforts and achieving JetBlue’s net-zero goals. This is why we’ve invested in Avnos’ hybrid direct air capture (HDAC) technology. Avnos is commercializing modular DAC systems that produce water, eliminate heat consumption, and reduce costs compared to other DAC systems.
The captured CO2 can then be repurposed for sustainable fuel production by companies like Aether Fuels. Aether’s technologies convert biogenic CO2 and waste carbon streams into low-cost, low-emission biofuels and biochemicals. This sustainable fuel can be used to power aircraft and ground operations in a carbon-neutral cycle.
We’ve also invested in Air Company, which focuses on producing SAF by converting captured carbon into fuels.
Revolutionary Propulsion Systems
Speaking of aircraft, JetBlue Ventures has invested in Electric Power Systems (EPS). EPS specializes in certified, high-reliability electric power systems for the stringent requirements of aviation. Electric Power Systems’ technologies will help enable the next generation of electric and hybrid aircraft
We were early investors in Joby Aviation, which is developing an electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft intended for use as an air taxi service. We’ve also invested in a startup focused on electric hybrid propulsion, which will be announced soon. Regional travel is ripe for disruption, and electrification is a key technology to transform this space. We’re excited to see where it will go in the future.
Sustainability Adjacent Technologies
We also have several portfolio companies that do not fall directly into our sustainability theme but whose technology contributes to sustainability efforts.
We invested in i6, a fuel management platform that enables fuel suppliers, airports, into-plane agents, and airlines to better plan, control, and monitor fueling operations. Another portfolio company is Beacon AI, which uses artificial intelligence to increase flight safety and improve operational efficiencies. Finally, Volantio’s post-booking revenue and capacity optimization software helps airlines book flights more intelligently. While these companies are not directly related to sustainability, their technology contributes to a more sustainable industry. i6 helps increase fuel efficiency, Beacon AI’s focus on operational efficiencies aids in fuel savings, and Volantio allows carriers to fly more passengers without increasing the number of flights, thus lowering CO2 emissions per passenger.
Additionally, we’ve invested in Tomorrow.io, a weather technology company that helps the aviation industry make better business decisions by more accurately predicting the weather and tracking long-term climate change. Their advanced technology enables the industry to make more informed decisions. Lastly, our investment in Busbud, an online marketplace for intercity bus and train tickets, provides access to alternative modes of transportation, supporting sustainability efforts.
The Way Forward
From decarbonization to alternative propulsion, JetBlue Ventures is committed to funding the pioneers who can transform the future of sustainable travel. The momentum for sustainability solutions has never been greater. There is a flourishing ecosystem of startups, corporations, universities, and government agencies all committed to developing and commercializing these critical innovations. We are excited to play our part through strategic investments while partnering across this robust landscape.
If you have a revolutionary idea for making travel more sustainable, this movement needs you. The journey to net-zero aviation starts with big dreams and breakthrough inventions, and we’ll all go farther together.
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