Overwatch AI Secures $1.5M for Aviation Operations AI

A new player in aviation technology, Overwatch AI, has successfully closed a $1.5 million pre-seed funding round. This capital infusion is earmarked to enhance its artificial intelligence platform, designed to significantly reduce operational disruptions and improve decision-making for airline personnel. The company aims to tackle the complexities faced by pilots, flight attendants, and operations teams who often navigate fragmented data systems to ensure flight safety and efficiency.

The funding round saw participation from prominent industry investors, including United Airlines Ventures and Carles Reina’s Baobab Ventures. Additional backing came from Pegasus Innovation Lab and Masia. A notable group of angel investors also contributed, featuring former Tenstorrent CCO David Bennett and ex-Cirium VP Alex Brooker, underscoring strong confidence in Overwatch AI's mission.

Founded in July 2025 by former airline pilot Leo Kotil and tech entrepreneur Nikita Kaeshko, Overwatch AI addresses a critical pain point in the aviation sector. Airline operations teams are tasked with making high-stakes decisions before, during, and after each flight. This often requires sifting through multiple, disparate systems and legacy software to find essential information, a process that can be time-consuming and prone to error. The platform's core innovation lies in its ability to consolidate these diverse information sources into a single, intuitive interface.

Leveraging natural language processing, Overwatch AI empowers users to quickly obtain insights and support for operational decisions. Whether dealing with technical aircraft issues, specific airport or airline regulations, or complex weather patterns, the AI system provides rapid, accurate responses. This capability is particularly valuable in an industry where minutes can translate into significant cost savings and improved passenger experience. The company reports that its technology is already in use by several airlines, managing over 30,000 flights monthly.

The impact of Overwatch AI's solution is substantial. The company projects that its platform can save each team member approximately 150 hours annually. For airlines, this translates to a potential avoidance of up to $4 million in annual costs per carrier. CEO Leo Kotil highlighted the personal motivation behind the venture, stating, "After nearly a decade as a pilot, I know how fragmented many processes and data sources are... You spend more time piecing together information than actually flying the aircraft. Overwatch AI solves this problem."

The newly acquired funds will be instrumental in scaling the Overwatch AI team and expanding the platform's capabilities. The company plans to onboard additional airline clients in the coming months, further validating its market fit. As Carles Reina of Baobab Ventures noted, "Overwatch AI has demonstrated that employing agentic systems in flight operations can unlock millions in savings, enhance service delivery, and bring technology to the forefront of a highly complex industry." This investment positions Overwatch AI to become a key technology provider in optimizing airline efficiency and resilience.