Dronamics Announces $40M Series A Funding

Dronamics, based in London and Sofia, Bulgaria, is developing a cargo drone airline to disrupt the current air freighter business model. Their drones – called Black Swans – will transport goods on long-distance trips.

The company has secured $40M in funding, led by Founders Factory, Speedinvest and Bulgarian VC Eleven. They plan to launch their first commercial flights by 2022.

The Black Swan

Dronamics, the London-based and Bulgarian startup aiming to launch Europe’s first cargo drone airline, has revealed that it has raised $40M in pre-Series A funding from venture capitalists and angel investors. This includes funding from Founders Factory, Speedinvest and Eleven Capital.

Dronamics is a pioneer in the development of large cargo drones that can carry up to 350kg (770lbs) at distances of 2,500km (1,550 miles), faster and cheaper than existing options while producing less emissions than current aircraft fleet. Their flagship Black Swan model is intended to revolutionize supply chains by filling the critical middle mile in air freight delivery – guaranteeing same-day delivery even to remote corners of the world.

The Black Swan, powered by a single Rotax engine and designed to access small unpaved airstrips, makes it more efficient for cargo delivery than existing commercial drones. It can cover 2,500km in one flight, cruise at 20,000 feet and carry up to 350kg of cargo.

It will also run on sustainable aviation fuel, which the company is developing together with Zero Petroleum. When compared to current air transport methods, “this aircraft will do so in a more environmentally friendly manner than any previous aircraft in existence,” according to the company, noting that it will reduce carbon emissions by 60% over its lifetime.

Black Swan plans to use a network of airstrips for same-day delivery between major distribution centers or warehouses and remote communities. If these drones were widely utilized worldwide, it could reduce air transport requirements by half and save up to 45% carbon emissions.

According to CEO Svilen Rangelov, the Black Swan will employ “a specialized network of airstrips that enable faster and cost-effective delivery of goods to consumers.” The Black Swan is expected to be ready for customer trials by 2023.

Dronamics has achieved success after striking deals with global logistics giants DHL and Hellmann Logistics, earning it the first EU-wide license to operate as a cargo drone airline. Furthermore, they were granted an EUR2.5 million grant through the European Innovation Council Accelerator program.

Droneport Network

Dronamics, a London-based self-piloting cargo drone airline, has recently received funding from the European Commission’s European Innovation Council (EIC) Accelerator Program to support their drone fleet development, port network expansion and business operations across Europe.

Funds will be invested into building a fleet of drones capable of same-day cargo delivery across vast distances. With 350 kg capacity and an operating range up to 2,500 km, these aircraft reduce time, cost, and emissions by up to 80% compared with traditional air freight services.

According to a press release, drones will be operated out of “droneports,” located at airports or other strategic locations with little or no infrastructure. These ports could potentially be established at abandoned airfields, airports, seaports, logistics hubs, and factory sites where people and companies lack access to affordable same-day air freight services.

Droneports are capable of transporting cargo as well as medical services like transporting blood samples and medicines between healthcare facilities beyond visual line-of-sight. UK-based Skyports Drone Services, Mercury Drone Ports, and NHS Tayside are collaborating on a drone delivery service in Angus, Scotland to reduce patient wait times and enhance diagnostic sample transport.

At the trial, drones will collect samples at rural hospitals and deliver them to laboratories in Angus and Dundee, Scotland for analysis more quickly and reliably than other methods. This service is expected to save approximately 20 minutes compared to conventional delivery options.

The company’s drones will be powered by ZERO SynAVGAS, an environmentally friendly fuel made from algae, sugarcane and other renewable materials. Produced by Zero Petroleum, this fuel allows the drones to be carbon neutral while transporting 350 kg of cargo at ranges up to 2,500 km – cutting time, costs and emissions by up to 80% compared with traditional air cargo methods.

Pilot Program

Self-piloting cargo drone airlines are still relatively new in the world of unmanned aircraft. Despite their immense potential, there remain challenges and limitations that must be overcome before drones can be widely utilized for commercial cargo transportation.

Dronamics is an European startup developing a self-piloting cargo drone called the Black Swan that can transport 350 kg of cargo over 2,500 kilometers in one flight. According to Svilen Rangelov, co-founder and CEO of Dronamics, this is an advantage over other drones on the market that typically fly lighter freight over shorter distances.

The Black Swan is powered by a single-propeller Rotax engine and can reach altitudes of 20,000 feet. Its carbon fiber construction makes it ideal for transporting heavier loads as it is resistant to higher temperatures and pressure than other similar drones can handle.

In addition to its capacity for carrying heavy loads, the Black Swan can land at any airstrip – including unpaved ones. This makes it ideal for long-distance transport, creating new trade routes and opportunities in remote communities around the world.

Rangelov anticipates that the Black Swan’s design will enable it to break into the low-density e-commerce sector as well, since it can handle individual packages as well as pallets of items. This should make the Black Swan particularly desirable to customers seeking faster delivery times, according to Rangelov.

In 2022, the company is gearing up for its first commercial flights of the Black Swan drone and plans to launch in Australia by 2023, when they receive a LUC (light UAS operator certificate) from aviation authorities. This will give them an advantage in developing an automated middle-mile aerial logistics business.

Dronamics has raised $40 million in pre-Series A funding, and will use the money to launch its Pilot Program and construct an operational base for Black Swan aircraft. The funds will go toward building out the fleet and technology necessary for success, as well as creating a joint venture that produces drones for Dronamics.

Dronamics is a UK-based company that manufactures long-range drones for cargo transportation. Their proprietary Black Swan vehicle can carry 350 kg of cargo up to 2,500 km using clean and energy efficient technologies that reduce flying costs. It has many applications, from consumer-related deliveries to forestry, mining and agriculture.

Business Model

Dronamics, the first cargo drone airline licensed in Europe, has secured $40M of funding from a group of venture capital funds and angel investors. These include Founders Factory, Speedinvest and Eleven Capital as well as the Strategic Development Fund (SDF), an investment arm of Tawazun Council Abu Dhabi.

The company’s flagship Black Swan drone can transport 350kg of cargo over 2,500km, providing same-day delivery for businesses in a range of industries. Not only is the drone fuel efficient and cost effective compared to air freight, but it emits up to 60% less carbon than its rivals.

Dronamics will begin operating its fleet of drones out of Malta, connecting to airports throughout Italy and other Mediterranean nations. Ultimately, Dronamics plans to extend its droneport network throughout the European Union.

Dronamics is in the process of forming five airport partnerships to meet this target. Sweden’s Skovde and Seinajoki airports, Liege Airport in Belgium, and Brescia Airport in Italy all plan to use droneport equipment.

Once Dronamics’ aircraft has received LUC certification, the startup plans to commence commercial flights. The EU has a single air traffic policy for drones which should make the process simpler.

Dronamics plans to link the EU’s air cargo hubs with a single drone carrier, eventually flying thousands of cargo drones with an impressive capacity of 350kg of goods.

Dronamics has expanded beyond its European operations by signing a partnership with a Chinese drone manufacturer. The firm has agreed to collaborate with Quickstep Holdings, who are in the process of manufacturing drones.

Dronamics CEO Konstantin Rangelov says their business model is to construct a fleet of drones that are more fuel-efficient, cost effective and secure to run than traditional drones. They are already testing smaller drones in Bulgaria and plan on launching their full-scale prototype by 2023.