8 Clockwise Invests in Natilus as Kona Cargo Aircraft Advances Toward Certification
Why It MattersNew venture backing for a blended-wing-body freighter shows investor appetite for alternative airframe configurations aimed at regional cargo, though the design still has to pass certification.
8 Clockwise, a venture capital fund based in Cypress, Texas, has invested in Natilus, the San Diego, California-based developer of blended wing body (BWB) composite aircraft. The fund joins the investor group from Natilus' $28 million Series A round. The investment amount was not disclosed. 8 Clockwise says the investment supports Natilus' next phase of development as it advances its Kona regional cargo aircraft toward certification.
8 Clockwise notes that Natilus projects its design can reduce fuel consumption by 30%, carbon emissions by 50% and operating costs by 50%, while increasing payload capacity by 40%. Both Kona and Horizon use as much composite material as possible in their airframes, to save weight and minimize the amount of critical metallic materials needed.
The fund cites several program milestones: Natilus has flown a subscale Kona prototype, completed the critical design review for the full-scale Kona prototype wing, and had the FAA assign Kona a project number, formally establishing its Part 23 certification program. In early October 2026, Natilus also performed an open-loop flight campaign for a 1/20-scale, remotely piloted Horizon Evo aircraft.
Natilus' commercial order book stands at more than 570 aircraft, valued at $24 billion. Reservations come from operators including SpiceJet, Nolinor Aviation, Flexport and Ameriflight.
