Air Company
Air Company (AIRCO) is a U.S. carbon utilization company that uses its proprietary AIRMADE™ single-step process to convert captured CO2 and hydrogen into synthetic fuels — SAF, ethanol, methanol, diesel, and rocket fuel — serving U.S. defense agencies, commercial airlines, and fuel distributors.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2016
- HeadquartersNew York, United States
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Air Company does
Air Company, operating as AIRCO, is a U.S.-based carbon utilization company that has pivoted from carbon-negative consumer products (vodka, fragrance) to industrial synthetic fuels, leveraging its proprietary AIRMADE™ Technology platform. AIRMADE™ is a single-step, photosynthesis-inspired process that converts captured carbon dioxide and hydrogen directly into liquid fuel building blocks, which are then upgraded into SAF, ethanol, methanol, diesel, and rocket fuel, with oxygen and water as the only byproducts. The company has commercialized a portfolio of AIRMADE® fuel products and two hardware platforms: the MAD Fuel System (containerized, transportable units for point-of-use production) and the AIRCO SAF Factory (factory-scale modular production). AIRCO also licenses the AIRMADE™ Technology platform to industrial partners for on-site fuel synthesis.
AIRCO's primary customers are split across three segments: U.S. defense and government agencies (Department of Defense via the Defense Innovation Unit, AFWERX, NASA, U.S. Army, and U.S. Navy), commercial airlines (JetBlue, Virgin Atlantic, Air Canada, Alaska Airlines), and global fuel distributors (Avfuel as preferred distributor). The company generates revenue through synthetic fuel sales, technology licensing, government contracts, and a small direct-to-consumer merchandise line. Cumulative funding stands at approximately $99M in equity (Series A $30M in 2022, Series B $69M in September 2024) plus roughly $82M in non-dilutive government awards (DIU Project SynCE $67M and AFWERX STRATFI ~$15M). Manufacturing operations are anchored in Brooklyn, NY, with a new Pennsylvania production hub opened in May 2026.
The business model is enterprise and government-led, relying on direct field sales, MOU-based airline partnerships, technology demonstrations, and exclusive distribution agreements rather than high-volume transactional sales. Pricing for core fuels and licensing is not publicly disclosed and is presumed to be quote-based, while branded merchandise carries fixed unit pricing. The company has earned significant industry recognition including the EPA Green Chemistry Challenge Award, XPrize for Carbon Removal, Time Best Inventions, and WEF UpLink Sustainable Aviation Challenge. Its CEO, Gregory Constantine, was named EY Entrepreneur of the Year in June 2026, signaling elevated market visibility as the company scales toward commercial SAF production.
Air Company firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Air Company
- Legal name
- Air Company Holdings, Inc.
- Website
- https://aircompany.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2016
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- Air Company (AIRCO) is a U.S. carbon utilization company that uses its proprietary AIRMADE™ single-step process to convert captured CO2 and hydrogen into synthetic fuels — SAF, ethanol, methanol, diesel, and rocket fuel — serving U.S. defense agencies, commercial airlines, and fuel distributors.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Air Company industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Sustainable Aviation Fuel and Carbon Conversion Technology
- NAICS
- Other Basic Organic Chemical Manufacturing (32519)
- SIC
- Industrial Organic Chemicals (2860)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Production (HEFA, FT, ATJ) (EUAAAHAE)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) & Alternative Fuels (e-fuels, biofuels, hydrogen) (THABANAA), Green Methanol & E‑Alcohols (e‑methanol, ethanol, higher alcohols) (EUABAIAB), Direct Air Capture (DAC) Project Development (EUABABAJ)
Keywords
Where Air Company is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- New York
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Air Company business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Operations, Infrastructure, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Synthetic Fuel Sales (SAF, Diesel, Rocket Fuel, Alcohols): AIRCO sells its CO₂-derived synthetic fuels including SAF, ethanol, methanol, diesel, and rocket fuel directly to commercial and government buyers. The company has distribution agreements (e.g., Avfuel as preferred distributor for aviation fuel) and commercial partnerships with airlines.
- Technology Licensing (AIRMADE™ Technology Platform): AIRCO licenses its proprietary AIRMADE™ Technology platform to industries for on-site synthetic fuel and chemical production, enabling any industry to produce high-demand fuels from captured CO₂ and hydrogen independently.
- Government Contracts (DoD, NASA, AFWERX, DIU): The company derives significant revenue from government contracts including a $67M contract with the Defense Innovation Unit (Project SynCE), ~$15M AFWERX STRATFI award, and other engagements with NASA and various DoD branches. These contracts fund development and demonstration of modular fuel production systems.
- Consumer Merchandise (AIRCO Goods): Direct-to-consumer sales of branded merchandise including apparel and accessories through the AIRCO online store (e.g., Tech Tee $45, Fuel Tank Hoodie $90, The Hat $35, Socks $20, Workwear Gloves $60).
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | AIRCO Goods merchandise line — fixed unit pricing for apparel and accessories |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels5 records
Air Company product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Air Company (AIRCO) develops and commercializes a proprietary AIRMADE™ carbon conversion platform that transforms captured carbon dioxide (CO2) and hydrogen into synthetic fuels and chemicals through a photosynthesis-inspired single-step process. Its products include AIRMADE® Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), ethanol, methanol, diesel, and rocket fuel, supported by deployable modular (MAD Fuel System™) and factory-scale (AIRCO SAF Factory) production systems sold, licensed, or operated for commercial airlines, the U.S. Department of Defense, NASA, and industrial chemical buyers.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- AIRMADE® SAF (Sustainable Aviation Fuel) Carbon-neutral sustainable aviation fuel produced from captured CO2 and hydrogen via AIRCO's single-step AIRMADE™ process; functions as a 100% drop-in replacement requiring no aircraft or infrastructure modifications, with preliminary LCA results indicating 97% lower carbon intensity than conventional jet fuel. Sold to commercial airlines and government/defense buyers.
- AIRMADE® Ethanol Synthetic ethanol produced from captured CO2 via the AIRMADE™ process, intended for industrial chemical and consumer-product applications.
- AIRMADE® Methanol Synthetic methanol produced from captured CO2 via the AIRMADE™ single-step process for industrial chemical buyers.
- AIRMADE® Diesel Synthetic drop-in diesel (DS-1) produced from captured CO2 and hydrogen via the AIRMADE™ process, suitable for tactical vehicles, marine vessels, and industrial applications.
- AIRMADE® Rocket Fuel Synthetic rocket fuel produced from captured CO2 via the AIRMADE™ process, targeted at aerospace customers including NASA for space exploration applications.
- AIRCO MAD Fuel System™ Mobile, Adaptable, Dynamic containerized fuel production unit that converts captured CO2 and hydrogen into fully formulated drop-in jet fuel (Jet A-1) or diesel (DS-1) anywhere in the world, enabling decentralized fuel generation for U.S. military and remote operations.
- AIRCO™ SAF Factory Factory-scale modular production system for AIRMADE® SAF output, designed to demonstrate commercial viability and serve as a scalable model for larger deployments, manufactured at AIRCO's U.S. manufacturing hub in Pennsylvania.
- AIRMADE™ Technology Platform (Licensable) Licensable AIRMADE™ catalysts and processes that enable any industry to produce high-demand synthetic fuels and chemicals from captured CO2 and hydrogen on-site via a single-step, photosynthesis-inspired conversion.
- AIRCO Goods (Branded Merchandise) Branded apparel and accessories (Tech Tees, Fuel Tank Hoodies, hats, socks, workwear gloves) sold direct-to-consumer through the AIRCO online store to support brand awareness and community engagement.
Quantifiable outcome
- 97% lower carbon intensity vs conventional jet fuel (per preliminary LCA for AIRMADE® SAF)
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Air Company
Customer profileNamed customers9 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Air Company technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
Air Company partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and secondary.
- AFWERXcoreAFWERX, the innovation arm of the U.S. Department of the Air Force, awarded AIRCO an 8-figure (~$15M) STRATFI award for the MAD Fuel System development. AFWERX is part of the Air Force Research Laboratory and focuses on bridging SBIR Phase II efforts to full-scale implementation.
- Defense Innovation Unit (DIU)coreDIU awarded AIRCO a $67M contract through Project SynCE to develop technology for synthetic fuel production in contested environments. This represents the largest single government contract for the company and a flagship defense partnership.
- Air CanadacoreAir Canada announced a collaboration with AIRCO on sustainable aviation fuel as part of its broader sustainability and decarbonization initiatives.
- AvfuelcoreAvfuel led the $69M Series B funding round and joined AIRCO's board of directors. As the preferred distributor, Avfuel provides global distribution and logistics for AIRCO's SAF products, plus environmental attribute tracking and reporting through its AvfuelZero sustainability segment. Avfuel has over 3,500 locations worldwide and 675+ branded FBOs.
- JetBluecoreJetBlue has a commercial MOU agreement with AIRCO for SAF development and supply. JetBlue also participated as an investor in the Series B funding round (existing investor through JetBlue Ventures). JetBlue is a key commercial airline partner for AIRCO's SAF technology deployment.
- Virgin AtlanticcoreVirgin Atlantic has a commercial MOU agreement with AIRCO for SAF development and deployment. Virgin Atlantic is a key airline partner collaborating on sustainable aviation fuel technology adoption.
- Alaska AirlinescoreAlaska Airlines participated as an investor in the Series B funding round and has a commercial partnership interest in AIRCO's SAF technology for decarbonization of its fleet operations.
- NASAcoreNASA selected AIRCO to continue development of sustainable fuels, including through the NASA STTR (Small Business Technology Transfer) program. Partnership aims to advance fuel technologies for future space exploration.
- Air Force Petroleum Office (AFPET)secondaryAFPET collaborates with AIRCO on fuel technology advancement for the Department of the Air Force, providing technical expertise in fuels, propellants, and aerospace energy.
- Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL)secondaryAFRL serves as the primary scientific R&D center for the Department of the Air Force and collaborates with AIRCO on carbon conversion technology development and deployment.
- U.S. Army Office of the Chief of Engineers (OCE)secondaryOCE hosted AIRCO's land vehicle demonstration of AIRMADE® Fuel using a Polaris MRZR tactical vehicle at West Point, exploring integration with Army nuclear reactor energy hubs.
- Naval Postgraduate School (NPS) / JIFX ProgramsecondaryNPS's Joint Interagency Field Experimentation (JIFX) Program at Camp Roberts hosted marine demonstration of AIRMADE® Fuel, validating the fuel's effectiveness in maritime vessel applications.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Air Company competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- LanzaTech: LanzaTech uses gas fermentation (carbon monoxide/CO2 to ethanol) to produce SAF, the same end market as AIRCO. It is the most direct competitor with established AtJ pathway at commercial scale (Freedom Pines Fuels, Freedom Pines 2), ArcelorMittal/Shin Nippon partnerships, and ~$700M+ raised.
- LanzaJet: LanzaJet is LanzaTech's ethanol-to-jet spinoff, operating the Freedom Pines Fuels plant and pursuing SAF offtake with Microsoft, British Airways, and Suncor. Direct competitor in drop-in SAF for aviation with the AtJ pathway.
- Prometheus Fuels: Prometheus converts CO2 and renewable electricity into net-zero gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel using a proprietary catalyst process. Same CO2-to-fuel thesis as AIRCO with similar early-commercial-stage profile.
- Infinium: Infinium produces e-fuels (e-diesel, e-jet, e-naphtha) from green hydrogen and captured CO2. Same CO2 + H2 feedstock architecture as AIRMADE™ and direct overlap in aviation/marine e-fuel customers.
- Twelve (formerly Opus 12): Twelve uses a CO2-to-chemicals/fuels platform producing sustainable aviation fuel, polymers, and specialty chemicals from captured CO2. Direct overlap with AIRCO's CO2 utilization thesis across fuels and chemical products.
- HIF Global: HIF Global produces e-fuels (e-methanol, e-gasoline, e-jet) from green hydrogen and captured CO2, with the Haru Oni e-fuels pilot in Chile and large-scale projects in the U.S., Chile, and Australia. Competes head-to-head with AIRCO on PtL jet fuel.
- Sunfire: Sunfire is a German SOEC electrolyzer and e-fuels company producing e-kerosene, e-methanol, and e-diesel from CO2 and green hydrogen. Same PtL/SAF value proposition as AIRCO, with strong European project pipeline.
Broad incumbents
- Aemetis: Aemetis is a publicly traded renewable fuels company producing SAF and renewable diesel from low-carbon feedstocks at scale. Broader incumbent in the SAF market with established refinery assets, overlapping with AIRCO's commercial aviation customer base.
- 1PointFive (formerly Carbon Engineering): 1PointFive operates the Stratos direct air capture facility in Texas (backed by Occidental Petroleum) and is developing DAC-to-fuels pathways including SAF. Adjacent incumbent with overlapping CO2-to-fuels roadmap, though anchored on DAC rather than point-source CO2.
Emerging players
- Cemvita: Cemvita is an emerging CO2 utilization company developing synthetic biology platforms for fuels and chemicals from captured CO2. Earlier-stage peer with thematic overlap to AIRCO's CO2-to-products thesis but broader in application.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Air Company social profiles
Digital presenceAir Company financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Air Company leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
Air Company funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds4 records
Investors14 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Air Company M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Air Company
What does Air Company do?
Air Company (AIRCO) develops and commercializes a proprietary AIRMADE™ carbon conversion platform that transforms captured carbon dioxide (CO2) and hydrogen into synthetic fuels and chemicals through a photosynthesis-inspired single-step process. Its products include AIRMADE® Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), ethanol, methanol, diesel, and rocket fuel, supported by deployable modular (MAD Fuel System™) and factory-scale (AIRCO SAF Factory) production systems sold, licensed, or operated for commercial airlines, the U.S. Department of Defense, NASA, and industrial chemical buyers.
Is Air Company a public or private company?
Air Company is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was Air Company founded?
Air Company was founded in 2016. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Air Company based?
Air Company is headquartered in New York, United States, in the North America region.
How does Air Company make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Synthetic Fuel Sales (SAF, Diesel, Rocket Fuel, Alcohols) is the primary driver. The others are technology Licensing (AIRMADE™ Technology Platform), government Contracts (DoD, NASA, AFWERX, DIU) and consumer Merchandise (AIRCO Goods).
Who are Air Company's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are LanzaTech, LanzaJet, Prometheus Fuels, Infinium, Twelve (formerly Opus 12), HIF Global and Sunfire. Broad incumbents are Aemetis and 1PointFive (formerly Carbon Engineering). Cemvita is listed as an emerging player.
Does Air Company have an API?
No public API is recorded for Air Company.
What industry is Air Company in?
Air Company's product category is Sustainable Aviation Fuel and Carbon Conversion Technology. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EUAAAHAE, Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Production (HEFA, FT, ATJ), with a secondary code of THABANAA, Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) & Alternative Fuels (e-fuels, biofuels, hydrogen). Its NAICS code is 32519 and its SIC code is 2860.