South Israel Bridging Fund is a venture capital firm.

South Israel Bridging Fund

GEHR

Gadfin

Gadfin design and develops long-range Urgent-delivery systems of the future, which is no less than a game-changer for the Medical and Time-critical deliveries market.  Its system brings together traditional flight knowledge, unmanned and autonomy technology, thus redefining delivery capabilities in terms of flight radius, safety, reliability, and automation, that is going to disrupt the world.

<div>Gadfin is an Israel-based developer of drones for aerial infrastructure surveys and delivery services for businesses, hospitals and work centers. The company offers three drone models with varying payload capacities and speed limits: Courier (up to 5 miles, 31 mph, 7 lbs payload); Spirit One (up to 155 miles, 62 mph, 7–11 lbs payload); and Spirit X (up to 280 miles, 94 mph, 132 lbs payload). In early 2020, Gadfin was granted the license by the Civil Aviation Authority of Israel to deliver cargo by drones, becoming the first company to obtain that license in the country. </div>

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

Last-mile Delivery Automation

<div>
 
 Gadfin is an Israel-based developer of drones for aerial infrastructure surveys and delivery services for businesses, hospitals and work centers. The company offers three drone models with varying payload capacities and speed limits: Courier (up to 5 miles, 31 mph, 7 lbs payload); Spirit One (up to 155 miles, 62 mph, 7–11 lbs payload); and Spirit X (up to 280 miles, 94 mph, 132 lbs payload). In early 2020, Gadfin was granted the license by the Civil Aviation Authority of Israel to deliver cargo by drones, becoming the first company to obtain that license in the country. 
 
 
 
 
 As of January 2021, the company was also in the midst of preparing its drones for Covid-19 vaccines delivery (ex: adjusting drone compartments to comply with relevant temperature needs), especially in isolated and remote areas such as settlements in the periphery, Bedouin villages and oil rigs.
 
 
 Key customers and partnerships
 
 
 In October 2020, Gadfin partnered with the electric infrastructure company, Enel, to deploy drones to scan its electric grid in Brazil and to make related drone deliveries. During the same period, Gadfin secured Israel Ministry of Transportation tender to provide emergency drone delivery services four aerial routes in between hospitals in northern Israel. In March 2020, the company delivered machine parts (60 components a day) from FRITZ (a logistics company)’s warehouse to an HP-Indigo integration line, before the project came to a halt amid the Covid-19 pandemic. 
 <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/14931">
 In November 2022,
 </a>
 it partnered with SAREL, a medical group purchasing organization (GPO) and logistics company in Israel, to create a drone-based delivery network that connects major hospitals in the country.
 
 
 Funding and financials
 
 
 <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/14934">
 In May 2022,
 </a>
 Gadfin raised USD 7 million in a Series A funding round led by Southern Israel Bridging Fund (SIBF). The company planned to direct the funds toward obtaining the Civil Aviation Authority’s (CAA) certification approvals for its “Spirit One” drones in the regions it operates in and to expand its global reach with a focus on transporting critical equipment.
 
</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.

Gadfin

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Commercial Drone Tech: Lifting off toward new heights

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Gadfin partners with SAREL to establish a drone-based delivery network for hospitals in Israel

Gadfin raises USD 7 million in Series A funding

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