Finance
Aerospace supplier startup lands first production contract
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on February 25, 2026
2 min readLast updated: February 25, 2026
Quick Summary
Salient Motion won its first production deal, supplying Aviointeriors with seat‑actuation systems for lie‑flat business‑class seats. A few hundred units will equip two airlines’ Airbus and Boeing narrowbodies from late 2026 or early 2027 as the startup scales.
Aerospace Startup Salient Motion Wins First Production Deal with Aviointeriors
Salient Motion’s First Production Contract
Feb 25 (Reuters) - Aerospace startup Salient Motion said on Wednesday it had secured its first production contract, supplying Italian seat-maker Aviointeriors with systems that move high-end business-class seats from upright to lie-flat positions.
Founded by former employees of defense contractor Anduril, the Torrance, California-based company aims to shorten the time needed to design, certify and deliver complex parts by reusing software and hardware building blocks across products.
Scope, Seat Counts and Timeline
The contract is modest - covering actuator systems for a few hundred seats to be installed by two airlines on narrowbody Airbus and Boeing jets from late 2026 or early 2027, Chief Executive Vishaal Mali told Reuters in an interview.
Strategy: Path to Major OEM Programs
But it marks a start toward the company's goal of becoming a major supplier on the next new aircraft from Boeing and Airbus, he said.
Seat Actuators as Supply-Chain Entry
Salient Motion identified seat actuators as an entry point into the supply chain, Mali said. The systems are complex, dominated by a small group of suppliers, and increasingly important as airlines rely on higher-revenue premium seating.
Eight Million Seats, $52B Over 10 Years
Aircraft Seat Market Outlook
Airlines are expected to need more than eight million seats over the next decade, a business worth $52 billion over 10 years, according to a study by Tronos Aviation Consultancy and AeroDynamic Advisory.
Boeing Ventures Collaboration
Investors: Cantos, Andreessen Horowitz
Funding and Partnerships
Salient Motion has raised $16 million from investors including Cantos Ventures and Andreessen Horowitz. It also began collaborating with Boeing Ventures, the aerospace giant's investment arm, last year.
Anduril Trade-Secret Dispute and Resolution
In 2023, Salient Motion was sued by Anduril, which accused its founders of stealing trade secrets. The two companies reached a settlement in 2024.
Defense Pipeline: Components on Drones
Alongside the Aviointeriors contract, Salient Motion also has components on military drones in development, Mali said.
(Reporting by Dan Catchpole in Seattle. Editing by Mark Potter)
Key Takeaways
- •Salient Motion secured its first production contract to supply seat‑actuation systems to Italian seat-maker Aviointeriors.
- •The initial order covers a few hundred premium lie‑flat seats for two airlines on Airbus and Boeing narrowbodies from late 2026 to early 2027.
- •The startup reuses modular software and hardware to shorten design, certification and delivery timelines across products.
- •Backers include Cantos Ventures and Andreessen Horowitz; Salient Motion began collaborating with Boeing Ventures in 2025.
- •A 2023 trade‑secrets dispute with Anduril was settled in 2024; the company also has components on military drones in development.
Frequently Asked Questions about Aerospace supplier startup lands first production contract
1What is the main topic?
Aerospace startup Salient Motion has landed its first production contract, supplying Aviointeriors with actuator systems that convert premium seats from upright to lie‑flat positions.
2Which companies are involved?
Salient Motion is supplying Aviointeriors. The systems will be installed on Airbus and Boeing narrowbody aircraft, and Salient has also been collaborating with Boeing Ventures.
3When will installations begin?
Deliveries for a few hundred seats are slated to begin with two airlines from late 2026 or early 2027, subject to program schedules and certification.
4Why does this deal matter financially?
It gives Salient Motion a foothold in a concentrated, high‑value seat‑actuation market tied to rising premium‑cabin demand, supporting growth and future bids on larger aircraft programs.
