Wingcopter, a German drone delivery provider, has raised USD 22 million in a Series A financing round led by Xplorer Capital and the Futury Regio Growth Fund. This marks the company’s first significant fundraising following two rounds of around USD 1 million in early 2020.

The new capital will be used to expand its US operations and launch new drone models with a focus on drone-based medical deliveries—including the distribution of COVID-19 vaccines. The company also plans to set up a 77,500-square-foot drone production facility at its new headquarters in Weiterstadt, Germany.

The company further disclosed that it had already pitched to potential investors for its next Series B round which will focus on creating a US-based team specializing in software and flight operations to help with drone testing. The company aims to establish a facility in the US for drone testing and manufacturing, after meeting Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations.

Wingcopter is a drone delivery startup engaged in transporting medical supplies to remote health facilities, and food and other parcels to private customers. It currently operates in Vanuatu, Tanzania, and Ireland. The company operates as an Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) for drones as well as offering drone delivery-as-a-service. Its current drone model, Wingcopter 178, is designed to carry up to 13 lbs of payload and cover a distance of 75 miles at a speed of 100 mph. In March 2020, UPS Flight Forward partnered with Wingcopter to develop its new drone fleet.