Aerospace Technology Institute

What they do

The Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI) is the architect of the UK's aerospace technology strategy, "Destination Zero." It operates as an autonomous not-for-profit that convenes the sector to define technology roadmaps and then funds R&D projects to execute them. Unlike a VC, the ATI provides non-dilutive grants that must be matched by industry investment (typically 50/50). It is uniquely positioned between the UK Department for Business and Trade (DBT), Innovate UK, and major industrial players like Airbus and Rolls-Royce. The ATI is critical to the UK ecosystem, having facilitated over £3.7 billion in R&D investment to maintain the nation's competitive edge in sustainable aviation, propulsion, and advanced manufacturing.

What they look for

The ATI's strategy is defined by "Destination Zero", a roadmap to achieve Net Zero aviation by 2050. They fund technologies that directly contribute to zero-carbon emission aircraft (hydrogen and battery-electric propulsion systems), ultra-efficient aircraft (advanced aerodynamics, lightweight structures, and next-gen gas turbines), and cross-cutting enablers (digital transformation, advanced manufacturing, and infrastructure).

Stage

Pre-seed, Seed, Series A, Series B+

Sectors

Mobility and logistics, Climate, Deeptech

Based

Cranfield, GB