Airo Group Holdings Inc., a rising force in aerospace and defense innovation, officially took flight on the Nasdaq Friday, launching its long-awaited $60 million initial public offering — but not without turbulence.
The Albuquerque, New Mexico-based developer of drone systems and pilot training platforms priced its IPO at $10 per share, undercutting its earlier guidance of $14 to $16. Still, in a bold move, Airo increased its offering from 5 million to 6 million shares, braving a still-recovering public market climate. It now trades under the ticker AIRO.
Skimming Below the Radar—But Climbing
Despite missing the target price range, the upsized deal signals confidence in its long-term vision. The IPO comes on the heels of months of geopolitical unrest and heightened NATO military investments — all of which Airo views not as setbacks, but tailwinds.
“Global conflicts, particularly the Russia-Ukraine war, have reignited demand for unmanned and smart aerial systems,” Airo stated in filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. “We expect our products to remain vital assets in NATO’s future defense landscape.”
