About Pitch Aeronautics
Pitch Aeronautics develops drones and weather software for electric utilities. Its products are the Astria installation drone, the WireWarrior line sensor, the WireWeather forecasting platform and the FeatherFender bird diverter. Utilities use them to carry more power on existing lines, improve reliability and reduce wildfire risk.
The company is based in Boise, Idaho, and is run by its co-founders, CEO Zach Adams and COO Ian Gibson. In October 2026 the Department of Energy selected Pitch, Ameren Missouri and Ameren Illinois for a federally funded project to move more power over existing lines.
Funding Rounds (SEC Form D)
| First sale | Filed with SEC | Amount sold | Investors | Avg. check | Terms | Filing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 14, 2026 | May 22, 2026 | $1,924,993of $3.5M target | 10 | $192K | EquityRule 506(b) | Form D ↗ |
| Sep 11, 2024 | Sep 24, 2024 | $845,000of $1.0M target | 6 | $140K | EquityRule 506(b) | Form D ↗ |
| Sep 27, 2023 | Oct 10, 2023 | $400,002of $500K target | 7 | $57,143 | EquityRule 506(b) | Form D ↗ |
| Total, three offerings | $3,169,995 | |||||
First sale is the date the first investor in the offering committed to invest. Companies must file Form D within 15 days of that date, so filing dates run later.
Why Investors Backed Pitch Aeronautics
Investors backed Pitch Aeronautics because utilities need more capacity from the power lines they already have, and sensors on those lines can provide it. Pitch makes the line sensors and weather forecasts that let a utility rate each line by real conditions. It also makes a drone that installs the sensors without a helicopter or bucket truck. In October 2026 the Department of Energy picked Pitch and Ameren for a grid upgrade in Missouri and Illinois.
The problem it targets
Utilities must meet growing electricity demand, and new transmission lines take years to build. Lines fitted with weather sensors can carry 20% more electricity more than 90% of the time. But installing and servicing those sensors on live lines usually takes helicopters, cranes or bucket trucks, which are costly and risky.
What the product does
Pitch sells four products: the WireWeather forecasting platform, the WireWarrior line sensor, the FeatherFender bird diverter and the Astria drone, which mounts equipment on power lines. Astria uses a patented cyclorotor, so it can move in any direction without tilting and hold steady in wind. With Boise State University, Pitch built a force-sensing robotic arm that let the drone keep stable contact with a line for minutes. Pitch reported this result to the National Science Foundation.
Progress so far
In October 2026 the Department of Energy selected Ameren Missouri, Ameren Illinois and Pitch for a federally funded project that brings weather-based line ratings across Ameren's network. Pitch also started a project with Idaho Power in 2025, Boise Dev reported. The National Science Foundation granted it $1.24 million in August 2026 for a second-phase SBIR project, after $274,853 for a first-phase project in 2024. In October 2025 it won the Grid Forward innovation pitch competition.
We wrote this summary from public statements by Pitch Aeronautics and its investors. It is not investment advice.
Pitch Aeronautics in the News
- Ameren and Pitch Aeronautics Win DOE Selection for Grid Upgrades
- Boise drone company and Idaho Power to amp up grid reliability
- Boise State, regional universities awarded grant to lead drone and robotics systems advancement
- 3 Idaho tech startups find success
- drone ‘astria’ has a rotating motor to keep it steady for inspection climbing
Leadership Team
Executive officers and directors listed on Pitch Aeronautics's Form D filed May 22, 2026.
Earlier filings also listed David Bennett (director, last listed Oct 2023).
Sources
- SECPitch Aeronautics Inc filing history
- Company siteContact page: Boise address, phone and email
- Company sitePress release, Aug 18, 2026: NSF award (company description; Zach Adams, CEO and Co-Founder)
- Company sitePress release, Oct 8, 2026: FEUS DOE SPARK project (Ian Gibson, COO and co-founder)
- Company sitePress release, Oct 9, 2025: GridFWD Innovation Pitch (Ian Gibson, COO and Co-Founder)
- PressAmeren release on PR Newswire: DOE selects Ameren and Pitch Aeronautics (Oct 28, 2026)
- ResearchNSF award 2604909: SBIR Phase II, $1,239,847 (Aug 2026)
- ResearchNSF award 2414567: STTR Phase I with Boise State University, $274,853 (2024), and its outcomes report
- CompanyGrid Forward: Pitch Aeronautics wins the GridFWD 2025 innovation pitch competition
- InvestorTechstars: interview with Ian Gibson (March 18, 2026)