Whisper Aero is revolutionizing air-moving technology. Founded in 2021, the Tennessee-based startup is developing ultra-quiet electric fans designed for propulsion and ventilation—serving industries ranging from consumer goods to aerospace. With $52 million in funding from investors like Menlo Ventures, EVE Atlas, and Capricorn’s Technology Impact Fund, Whisper Aero aims to help usher in what it calls “the electric jet age.”
And it all begins with a leaf blower.
This single innovation is a game-changer. “We’ve demonstrated that our technology can move 40 percent more air while using 40 percent less energy,” says co-founder and COO Ian Villa. Integrated into a leaf blower, it delivers efficiency while cutting noise levels significantly—more than 10 decibels quieter than the quietest electric models on the market, according to Whisper’s own tests.
The company recently partnered with Stanley Black & Decker to explore bringing consumer products to market, starting with leaf blowers powered by their whisper-quiet fans. Though there’s no official launch timeline, “we’re pushing hard for the leaf blower to be our first product and partnership,” says CEO Mark Moore. He adds that the company is also eyeing applications in range-hood fans and home ventilation systems.
At first glance, it might seem like Whisper Aero would prioritize ambitious, high-tech moonshots—especially given the appetite of venture capital investors for exponential growth opportunities. But instead, the startup is following a different playbook: launching first in consumer markets before expanding into more advanced applications.
Leading with the leaf blower is a deliberate choice, Moore explains. “It’s a unique market with a lot of sensitivity to noise,” he says. “It’s an opportunity for an early win—something no one else can do at this level.”
But that’s just one part of the vision. “Whisper’s future is built on three verticals,” Moore says. The first focuses on consumer products like leaf blowers and home ventilation. The second centers on defense applications. The third? Civil aviation.
Moore, 62, and Villa, 32, first crossed paths at Uber Elevate, the now-defunct division dedicated to developing flying taxis. Moore, a veteran aerospace engineer, was the engineering director of aviation, while Villa led strategy. When Uber Elevate was acquired by Joby Aviation in 2020, the two saw an opportunity to revolutionize propulsion.
Their work has already caught the attention of the Department of Defense. While Whisper keeps many details under wraps, the company has revealed its drone-related projects. On a surveillance drone, for example, its electric fan can function like a miniature jet engine—operating nearly silently, a critical advantage for stealth operations. The company has even developed a small drone that, according to Moore, is inaudible from just 200 feet away. His history of pushing aviation innovation goes back to his NASA days, where he secured CIA funding for an electric drone project.
Beyond military applications, Whisper Aero has its sights set on transforming commercial aviation. The company envisions a new class of ultra-quiet electric passenger planes, starting with a nine-seater aircraft. While no such aircraft exists yet, Whisper’s long-term goal is to position itself like an industry giant—akin to Pratt & Whitney—manufacturing propulsion systems rather than building entire planes. “There’s a massive opportunity for our technology in electric conventional takeoff and landing aircraft,” Moore says.
And its reach doesn’t stop there. Whisper Aero is also conducting research for NASA. In June, the space agency awarded the startup a $150,000 Small Business Innovation Research contract to develop fans for ventilation systems in space—an area where noise reduction is critical for astronaut well-being.
Whisper Aero’s journey illustrates a compelling lesson: a single breakthrough technology can lead to multiple, high-impact applications. By starting with a leaf blower, the company is strategically paving the way for a future where its whisper-quiet propulsion systems could shape industries ranging from home appliances to space travel.
