NEVA SGR (INTESA SANPAOLO GROUP) INVESTS IN SUSTAINABLE U.S. AEROSPACE COMPANY, “SKYDWELLER AERO”

 

 

• Through the Neva First investment fund, the company supports the development of the high growth potential company operating in the field of unmanned, solar-powered aircraft
• Technologies designed by Skydweller Aero will be used in land and maritime surveillance, environmental and infrastructure monitoring, geo-information services, telecommunications and precision navigation

Milan, 28^th  September 2021 - Neva Sgr, Intesa Sanpaolo Group’s venture capital dedicated to the hi-tech sector, through the Neva First fund expands its investment portfolio and focuses on the growth of Skydweller Aero. The US-based start-up, founded in 2017 and with global headquarters in the USA (Oklahoma) and offices in Spain (Castille La Mancha), operates in the “Unmanned Aerial Systems” (UAS) sector with a significant load capacity.

Skydweller Aero is developing and utilizing the most advanced clean technologies, while pushing state of the art in autonomous system design. The Skydweller platform will fly and remain on station for months at time, providing satellite capabilities with the agility of an aircraft—a pseudosatellite.

Skydweller Aero will address land and maritime surveillance, environmental and infrastructure monitoring, geo-information services, telecommunications and precision navigation. Skydweller aircraft can rapidly be deployed to provide communications and other functions to support operators in emergency and disaster situations.

The sustainability criteria and the characteristic of a potential billion-dollar company led Neva Sgr to make an initial investment of approximately $4 million in the company. An operation in continuity with the strategy of investing in companies with ESG (Environmental, Social & Governance) solutions and technologies. Skydweller Aero has quickly raised investments of over $40 million and attracted major investors and industry partners.

To date, the Neva First Fund portfolio numbers 14 investments, in addition to investments in international funds instrumental to deal flow partnerships, for a total commitment of over €60 million.

“Skydweller Aero has developed a unique and extraordinary technology that goes in the direction of environmental sustainability”, explains Mario Costantini, CEO of Neva Sgr. “We believe that the company’s business can also have positive repercussions for the economy of our country in an industrial sector that has always been strategic for Italy, with excellent growth prospects. The ability to raise investment and attract investors and industry partners worldwide in a very short time confirms Skydweller Aero’s enormous potential to become a billion-dollar company.”

“We are honoured and delighted to share Neva Sgr.’s participation as an investor in Skydweller Aero’s cutting-edge technology,” said CEO Dr. Robert Miller. “We see this partnership yielding tremendous value to the global economy, transforming the government surveillance and telecommunications markets, while contributing to the maturation and growth of the clean technology industry.”

 

 

 

Media Relations

Intesa Sanpaolo

Corporate & Investment Banking and Governance Areas

stampa@intesasanpaolo.com