[Armada Investment AG](http://www.armada.com) is Daniel Aegerter's venture fund and family office.

Armada Investment AG

Healthcare & Technology Venture Capital since 2001. We build bridges between entrepreneurs’ dreams and successful companies. We enable savvy investors to partner with the best start-up companies. VI Partners is a Swiss venture capital firm providing university spin-off's as well as other promising start-up companies with capital, coaching and networks. VI Partners is the advisor to multiple funds. The first fund was established by McKinsey & Company and the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zürich (ETHZ) in 2001.

VI Partners

Star Farm Ventures's objective at star farm ventures is to prove that one can make money by investing in young israeli startups, while showing the world the power of israeli entrepreneurs' innovation and creativity.   they bring these young companies to new york to work in a stimulating and nurturing environment, where they use their network of friends and business associates to assist in promoting their growth and development.

Star Farm Ventures

Benhamou Global Ventures is an early-stage venture capital firm. The firm works with passion and commitment to building valuable companies. It places particular emphasis on cloud technologies; virtual and software-defined networking; productivity-based applications; cybersecurity, mobility, and the Internet of Things. In 2004, Eric Benhamou founded the firm in Palo Alto, California.

Benhamou Global Ventures

B2venture is a venture capital firm focused on early-stage investments in digital and industrial technology companies. B2venture invests EUR 100m+ per year in high-growth companies with ticket sizes from EUR 0.25m to 3.5m.

b2venture (formerly btov Partners)

Backbone Ventures is an early-stage venture capital firm based in Zurich and Frankfurt am Main. Founded in 2018, Backbone has a track record of 28 investments with already three successful exits so far. With a pioneering investment- and a strong ecosystem approach, Backbone’s mission is to achieve a positive impact for the next generation by supporting outstanding entrepreneurs to reach new levels of success and to become the trusted partner for founders and investors in pre-seed/seed venture capital in Germany and Switzerland.

BackBone Ventures

BRM Capital is a dynamic venture capital fund investing in early stage, Israel-related software, internet infrastructure, and communication companies. Their investment focus is on the Internet, mobile and mobile applications, digital media, online services, enterprise software, and medical device sectors and they also offer flexible, streamlined investment decision making. BRM headquartered in Tel Aviv, Israel enjoys a worldwide network of industry, strategic and financial experts.

BRM Capital

OurCrowd is a venture investing platform that enables institutions and individuals to invest and engage in emerging companies. OurCrowd was started in 2013, driven by the idea that the business of building startups grows bigger and better when the global 'crowd' gains access to VC-level investment opportunities.

OurCrowd

Skywell Capital Partners is a multi-stage venture capital firm that invests in entrepreneurs with visionary ideas around the globe. We are looking for entrepreneurs who are building ground-breaking and sustainable businesses that are going to change the world.

Skywell Capital Partners

Tal Ventures is an Israel-based Venture Capital group with deep ties to the Israel high-tech ecosystem. Tal actively pursues and supports start-up companies with experienced and aspirational leadership whose technologies can really make a difference. Tal invests horizontally across industries and vertically over various stages of development to maximize both stability and capital growth.

Tal Ventures

Flytrex

Flytrex Aviation offers tailored, end-to-end drone delivery solutions based on its proprietary cloud technology. Its fastened delivery box guarantees your order is delivered just the way it was packed. Using its wire release mechanism, orders are gently lowered from eighty feet. This ensures a quiet and secure delivery. They are part of the Federal Aviation Administration UAS Integration Pilot Program (FAA IPP) and have partnered with the North Carolina Department of Transportation to standardize backyard drone delivery. In addition, they have spent the last two years working with the Icelandic Transportation Authority (ICETRA) to advance the use of commercial drone deliveries in Reykjavik. Amit Regev and Yariv Bash founded it on November 1, 2013, with its headquarters in Tel Aviv in Israel.

<div>Flytrex is an Israeli company conducting drone deliveries in Iceland and the US. Flytrex drone is a hex-copter that can carry a load of 6.5 lbs and can fly at a speed of 40 mph within a range of six miles, making approximately 15 deliveries per hour. The drones use GPS and sensors for navigation and are equipped with safety measures allowing the devices to withstand events such as motor loss, battery loss, and communication failures, making the drone stand out from its competitors. The drones are also equipped with<a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/21903">&ldquo;Autonomous Pickup&rdquo;</a>capabilities that enable fully autonomous delivery from order placement to customer delivery.</div>

Automation and robotics are finally creating solutions for the complexities of doorstep deliveries.

Last-mile Delivery Automation

<div>
 
 Flytrex is an Israeli company conducting drone deliveries in Iceland and the US. Flytrex drone is a hex-copter that can carry a load of 6.5 lbs and can fly at a speed of 40 mph within a range of six miles, making approximately 15 deliveries per hour. The drones use GPS and sensors for navigation and are equipped with safety measures allowing the devices to withstand events such as motor loss, battery loss, and communication failures, making the drone stand out from its competitors. The drones are also equipped with 
 <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/21903">
 &ldquo;Autonomous Pickup&rdquo;
 </a>
 capabilities that enable fully autonomous delivery from order placement to customer delivery.
 
 
 The company has secured approval from several authorities to conduct drone-based deliveries in the respective geographies. These include approvals from Iceland&rsquo;s Civil Aviation Authority (ICETRA; 2017) and those from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for deliveries in North Carolina (2019), to operate above human populations, within the visual line of sight (VLOS; 
 <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/155">
 May 2021),
 </a>
 expand the delivery radius to two nautical miles across all service stations in North Carolina and Texas 
 <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/11930">
 (July 2022),
 </a>
 Part 135 certification to launch beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) commercial drone deliveries in the US on a trial basis 
 <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/16014">
 (January 2023),
 </a>
 and launch BVLOS flights without visual operators 
 <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/23376">
 (October 2023).
 </a>
 
 
 As of May 2023, the company had operations (or planned operations) in several locations in the US including 
 <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/9">
 Fayetteville,
 </a>
 Raeford, 
 <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/13365">
 Durham,
 </a>
 Holly Springs, and 
 <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/18658">
 deeper Wake County
 </a>
 (North Carolina), and 
 <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/9417">
 Granbury
 </a>
 (Texas). 
 <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/17347">
 In 2022,
 </a>
 the company reported delivering 85,000+ items by drones across 21,350 orders and achieving 4,000 unique users (765% up YoY). The company also witnessed a 7x YoY increase in its customer base in 2022.
 
 
 Key customers and partnerships
 
 
 Flytrex started drone-based deliveries in Reykjavik, Iceland, in partnership with local ecommerce company Aha (2017). The company is also strengthened by partners in the US including Walmart (April 2020; extended in 
 <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/9">
 September 2020)
 </a>
 ; Brinker International&mdash;the restaurant conglomerate that operates chains and virtual brands including Chili&rsquo;s, Maggiano&rsquo;s Little Italy, and It&rsquo;s Just Wings (October 2021; extended in 
 <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/9417">
 March 2022)
 </a>
 ; chicken restaurant chain El Pollo Loco
 <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/4315">
 (June 2021);
 </a>
 national sandwich chain Jersey Mike&rsquo;s Subs (May 2022); Unilever&rsquo;s virtual ice cream storefront &ldquo;The Ice Cream Shop&rdquo; 
 <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/10693">
 (May 2022);
 </a>
 cheesesteak chain Charleys Philly Steaks 
 <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/13365">
 (September 2022)
 </a>
 , Freddy&rsquo;s Frozen Custard and Steakburgers, and Little Caesars 
 <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/21903">
 (September 2023)
 </a>
 for various drone based deliveries.
 
 
 Flytrex also has a long-term product partnership with drone delivery operator Causey Aviation Unmanned to conduct drone-based deliveries in US cities.&nbsp;
 
 
 Funding and financials
 
 
 <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/6819">
 In November 2021,
 </a>
 Flytrex raised USD 40 million in a Series C funding round led by BRM Group to expand operations across the US, enter into new partnerships with retailers and restaurants, and further develop its drone hardware and software. Before this, 
 <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/104">
 in March 2021,
 </a>
 the company raised USD 8 million led by Benhamou Global Ventures and the European venture fund Btov, to scale operations in the US. 
 
</div>

<div>
 
 Zing Drone Delivery offers an end-to-end drone delivery platform that works with DJI drones (a Chinese drone manufacturer). The platform comes with built-in software for precise landing, obstacle avoidance, and aircraft traffic detection. Drone pilots can team up with Zing to make deliveries with their own drones, while Zing undertakes the licensing and insuring of pilots. Customers can order food and over-the-counter (OTC) medication via Zing&rsquo;s app and get the items delivered by a drone, while drone pilots earn USD 15 for each completed delivery. Its revenue model includes a monthly subscription fee and sales to pilots of custom delivery boxes that need to be attached to the drone at a cost of USD 80 per box. The company has a product development partnership with software company Airspace Link to integrate airspace awareness technology (December 2021). It also partnered with air traffic navigation service provider Skyway Technologies to install route planning and air navigation solutions for operations in Florida and beyond (January 2022; conducted first flights in Montverde, Florida 
 <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/10175">
 in May 2022).
 </a>
 
 
 In May 2020, with an initial group of 21 pilots, Zing launched its services in 21 cities across the US, including Miami, FL, Denver, CO, Columbia, SC, San Antonio, TX, Las Vegas, NV, and Encinitas, CA. In November 2020, the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) partnered with Zing to test package deliveries under the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)'s BEYOND program.
 
 
 Key competitors: None comparable 
 (Zing Drone Delivery offers a drone delivery platform that works with DJI drones&mdash;does not make the drone itself)
 
</div>

Zing Drone Delivery

<div>
 
 DroneUp is a drone startup offering drone-based delivery services, construction, real estate monitoring, aerial data capturing, and marketing services utilizing drones. DroneUp was also awarded an Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) Services Master Agreement in August 2019 allowing public sector institutions in the US to access DroneUp services. As of November 2020, nine states have signed Participating Addendums (PAs) for the service. The company announced plans to move away from other services, and primarily focus on last-mile delivery applications 
 <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/18602">
 in May 2023
 </a>
 &mdash;which also resulted in layoffs at the time.
 
 
 The company has operations in the US (including a 
 <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/12581">
 planned R&amp;D center in Virginia),
 </a>
 and announced plans to expand into Europe 
 <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/11637">
 in July 2022.
 </a>
 
 
 Key customers and partnerships
 
 
 In June 2020, DroneUp launched its Operation Last-Mile project, in partnership with Virginia's Center for Innovative Technology (CIT) to determine how unmanned aerial systems can be useful to make critical deliveries during a crisis under FAA regulations. DroneUp conducted drone-based deliveries in partnership with organizations including Walmart 
 <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/30">
 (since September 2020,
 </a>
 extended to launch multi-site operations in 
 <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/6834">
 November 2021
 </a>
 and to extend services across six states 
 <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/10658">
 in May 2022);
 </a>
 NUAIR (Northeast UAS Airspace Integration Research Alliance) and SUNY Upstate Medical University 
 <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/161">
 (June 2021);
 </a>
 the City of Ontario and the real estate company Brookfield Properties 
 <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/4266">
 (July 2021);
 </a>
 Riverside Health System 
 <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/17938">
 (April 2023);
 </a>
 Carilion Clinic 
 <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/19264">
 (June 2023),
 </a>
 and Chick-fil-A restaurant chain 
 <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/23954">
 (November 2023).
 </a>
 
 
 DroneUp&rsquo;s complementary acquisitions in the space include AeroVista Innovations, to provide full-service drone training to organizations (April 2020); Web Teks, a UAS software developer that had been a contractor for DroneUp 
 <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/103">
 (March 2021),
 </a>
 and AirMap, an airspace management software provider for drones 
 <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/7177">
 (December 2021).
 </a>
 DroneUp also has product partnerships with companies including 
 <a href="https://sp-edge.com/companies/865380">
 A2Z Drone Delivery
 </a>
 to integrate the latter&rsquo;s tethered freefall drone delivery technology into DroneUp&rsquo;s drones 
 <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/105">
 (March 2021);
 </a>
 South Korean company Doosan Mobility Innovation (DMI) to test drones using hydrogen fuel cell technology 
 <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/17671">
 (April 2023);
 </a>
 Irsi Automation to integrate airspace awareness tech into its drones 
 <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/18258">
 (May 2023);
 </a>
 and Wonder Robotics to integrate precision technology for drone-based deliveries 
 <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/18344">
 (May 2023).
 </a>
 
 
 Funding and financials
 
 
 DroneUp received an undisclosed amount of funds from Walmart 
 <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/167">
 in June 2021,
 </a>
 to develop a scalable last-mile delivery solution.
 
</div>

DroneUp

Agility Robotics develops a human-sized, bi-pedal robot called “Digit” designed for logistics applications including last-mile delivery (LMD). It is the only company in the market with a product designed to look and move like a human, using two upper limbs to carry an item while moving around on two legs. The robot uses a head-mounted LiDAR system for its primary navigation and is able to navigate semi-autonomously, carrying weight up to 35 lbs.The company's first bi-pedal research robot, Cassie, was used commercially since 2017 but has been shut down due to the release of Digit. Digit was developed in partnership with Ford Motor Company and has been available commercially since January 2020, with shipping to customers beginning in July 2020. The company unveiled the second generation of Digit <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/17182">in March 2023,</a> with plans to begin shipping to early customers in 2024 and a wider rollout in 2025 (price not disclosed). The company also planned to <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/21927">open a manufacturing facility in Oregon</a> by late 2023 to mass-produce the units.Key customers and partnershipsThe company received its first order from Ford in January 2020 for two Digit robots. Since then, several other unnamed Fortune 100 companies have reportedly purchased the robots, primarily for warehouse automation rather than last-mile delivery.Funding and financials<a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/9899">In April 2022,</a> Agility Robotics raised USD 150 million in a Series B funding round led by DCVC and Playground Global to fast-track R&amp;D; ramp up production and delivery of its next-generation robot; double its team by 2024; open a new facility in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; and expand its existing Oregon facilities and Palo Alto, California operations. In April 2022, Agility Robotics also received an undisclosed amount of funds from Amazon Industrial Innovation Fund.Key competitors: None comparable (Agility Robotics is the only startup developing a humanoid robot for parcel delivery)

Agility Robotics

Manna Drone Delivery (Manna) provides drone delivery as a service to restaurant chains, cloud kitchens, and online food delivery platforms. Using custom-developed aerospace-grade drones, it delivers directly from restaurants and centralized kitchens to consumer's homes. It flies at an altitude of 260 feet at a speed of more than 50 mph, delivering within a 1.2-mile radius in less than three minutes, carrying a payload of 4.4 lbs. In May 2021, Manna received the Irish Aviation Authority’s (IAA) <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/62">“Light UAS Operator Certificate” (LUC),</a> available under EU drone regulations and recognized across the EU. With the certification, Manna can self-authorize operations without the need for further approvals. The company also applied for drone-based delivery services license in the UK <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/22174">in September 2023.</a>As of August 2022, Manna had completed around 100,000 test flights, serving around 45,000 eligible customers in Oranmore, Moneygall, and Balbriggan in Ireland. The company looks to <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/12262">expand its reach</a> in Europe further and also entered the US market (Dallas, Texas) <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/23388">in October 2023.</a>Key customers and partnershipsIts partners include Flipdish (signing up 1,000+ restaurants in Ireland; June 2019), <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/91">Just Eat</a> (signing up Camile Thai restaurant and Ben and Jerry’s ice cream for deliveries at University College Dublin; since February 2020), Tesco (a six-month trial in Oranmore; September 2020), Camile Thai’s (for deliveries in Oranmore in February 2021; extending from a February 2020 partnership), <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/106">Samsung Electronics</a> (for deliveries starting from Oranmore; March 2021), Coca-Cola (for deliveries in Oranmore; June 2021), and several other cafes, shops, and supermarkets in Moneygall and Balbriggan.&nbsp;The company also partnered with multinational real estate developer Hillwood <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/17122">in March 2023,</a> to launch the service in Dallas, Texas. The company commenced operations in Dallas <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/23388">in October 2023,</a> delivering food and beverages from the Alliance Texas Mobility Innovation Zone from partnering retailers including Farmhouse Coffee &amp; Treasures and The Touring Chocolatier to residents in Pecan Square by Hillwood Communities in Northlake.Funding and financials<a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/17122">In March 2023,</a> Manna received an undisclosed amount of funding from Coca-Cola HBC and entered into a strategic partnership with the same to expand its reach to the US market. Previously, in April 2021, Manna <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/136">raised EUR 20.7 million (USD 25 million)</a> in a Series A funding round led by Draper Esprit, with participation from DST Global, Team Europe, and existing investors Dynamo Ventures, Atlantic Bridge, and Elkstone. The cash is going toward scaling up manufacturing and research and expanding operations to the UK and the US by 2023.&nbsp;

Manna Drone Delivery

<div>
 
 Dianomix is a Canadian startup that develops a last mile delivery droid called Robox. Olivier Aubin and Ali Asghari co-founded the company, the former being an ex-employee of Google and Waymo with experience designing autonomous vehicles. The droids can deliver products within a distance of around three miles, and the large cargo space equipped with automatic unloading allows multiple deliveries in a single run. The robots are also proven to be operational even under bad weather conditions such as rain and light snow.
 
 
 The company plans to deliver groceries and other items from retailers to locals in Calgary, Alberta. As of October 2020, the company is engaged in testing the delivery droids in the community of Discovery Ridge. Dianomix pitches the product to retailers directly, where they can subscribe to the service and get access to multiple delivery droids. Upon retailers loading the bots and tagging the delivery address, Dianomix will take over the last mile delivery.
 
</div>

Dianomix Inc.

Some companies use AI/ML tech for autonomous navigation.  (e.g., Goggo Network, Drone Express, Wayve)"

Autonomous delivery solutions fall under Industry 4.0

The solutions are electric and eco-friendly

All three types of delivery automation facilitate efficient and environmentally friendly solutions

Refers to unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) that deliver packages. Drones are already in commercial use in many other industries (such as photography, construction, and agriculture). The use of drones for goods delivery has emerged with the gradual advancement of battery and connectivity technologies.

Flytrex

EDGE Insights

Commercial Drone Tech: Lifting off toward new heights

Looking Up: VC funding and drone delivery reach new heights

Recent Updates

Flytrex receives FAA approval for BVLOS operations without visual observers

Flytrex’s new autonomous order pickup capability launched via restaurants and retailers

Flytrex looks to expand drone-based delivery services deeper into Wake County

Flytrex releases drone-based delivery statistics for 2022

Flytrex’s delivery drones receive FAA approval for commercial use

Flytrex partners with Charleys Philly Steaks for drone-based deliveries in Durham

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