Israeli on-demand drone delivery startup for food and retail Flytrex works with Walmart, Chili’s and other retailers in the US. Recently, the company has picked up $40 million in a Series C funding round to continue the development of its software and hardware.
The investment round was led by BRM Group while Lukasz Gadowski (DeliveryHero founder and chairman), OurCrowd, and existing investors btov, Backbone Ventures, and Benhamou Global Ventures (BGV). With this round, the total investment in Flytrex accounts for $60 million.
Flytrex will use the funds to ramp up expansion in the US and get into partnerships with leading quick-service restaurants and retailers, thereby paving the way for a future when drone delivery will get into the mainstream.
On-demand drone delivery startup
Founded in 2013 by Amit Regev and Yariv Bash in Tel Aviv, Flytrex works on the mission to disrupt the delivery world with its drones. It is developing the world’s first autonomous drone delivery system, especially focused on the US suburbs. It aims to connect with restaurants ranging from local ones to nationwide chains with the intention to help them reach more customers safer, faster, and more affordably.
Their advanced autonomous technology alongside certified professionals lets them cater to the customers’ satisfaction with the food they need and deliver the same via the air to their backyards instantly.
World’s fully autonomous drone delivery
Flytrex is developing the world’s first drone delivery service, which cuts delivery costs and the time of delivery. The company touts that its drone delivery service is better than delivering on road. Also, it focuses on suburbs, where the conventional delivery methods are less efficient due to the long distances. As it uses commercial-aviation grade drones, as well as, cloud systems, Flytrex’s drone delivery service is safe, fast and sustainable.
While most packages that are to be delivered to clients will not be heavier than 2 lbs, the Flytrex drones can deliver packages up to 6.5 lbs. Also, these drones can travel nearly six aerial miles. Moreover, its drones require minimal handling, thereby reducing manpower and making sure the delivery is done quickly.
Expands at a swift pace
Initially, Flytrex’s first drone delivery was launched in Reykjavik, Iceland in 2017. It launched its US pilot in North Carolina in September 2020 with Fayetteville being the first location. Since then, it expanded to the second location in the city – Raeford and is growing consistently. In North Carolina, Flytrex has launched its third drone delivery service to deliver food orders from chains and restaurants at the Holly Springs Towne Center, which includes Just Wings, Chili’s Grill & Bar, Maggiano’s Little Italy, and more.
Earlier this year, the company announced that there is an increase of ten folds in the volume of orders. Also, it has completed thousands of deliveries for now. This growth is possible as with each new location, Flytrex is refining its way of operation and prepares for a time to make sure they are not missing ingredients or packages.
Notably, Flytrex’s drone deliveries in North Carolina came to reality with a partnership with the N.C. Department of Transportation. Also, there was a waiver from the Federal Aviation Administration – FDA that limits the use of drones. The FAA came up with several waivers under a program that was launched by the administration of Trump to determine how drones can be safely used for e-commerce in the US.
