With this new round of funding, Whisper is looking to double their Tennessee-based team, which currently stands somewhere between 10-50 people (they declined to be more specific). The company is also moving into two new facilities, an 8,000-square-foot facility in Nashville for design, engineering and rapid prototyping and a 40,000-square-foot space in Crossville, for testing and production, that is collocated within a larger Tennessee Tech University facility.<\/p>\n

This capital raise marks an inflection point \u2014 what Villa called \u201cphase two.\u201d If phase one was all about R&D, this second phase is focused on generating revenue on the defense side of the business.<\/p>\n

Phase three is likely a ways off yet, but eventually, Villa said the plan is to enter into non-DOD verticals: commercial aviation, industrial and consumer. The company\u2019s already developed a demonstration electric leaf blower that uses its electric ducted fan. That\u2019s just one of the many possible applications that are clearly already on the company\u2019s mind.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are this future Pratt & Whitney mashed up with a Dyson,\u201d Moore said, referring to the giant aircraft engine maker and the consumer tech company best known for its vacuums and hair dryers.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re very anxious to take this technology to people\u2019s everyday life.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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