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A Spanish company in the aviation engineering and technology sector has specialized in the design, manufacturing and commercialization of unmanned aircrafts (high-capacity industrial drones) that can be used for firefighting, transportation and agriculture purposes.

The company is seeking to revolutionize the unmanned aircraft sector as current solutions still present several limitations: mainly a maximum payload of 5 kg and a maximum autonomy of 20 minutes.

Therefore, the company has used its technical and engineering knowledge to develop the following solutions:

1. Light drones with high performance: 50 kg MTOW (Maximum Take-Off Weight), 25 kg payload and 3 hours of autonomy.

2. Heavy-duty industrial drones: 1,200 kg MTOW, 600 kg payload and 3 hours of autonomy.

These solutions facilitate the tasks of control, inspection and security vigilance that allow to make the best decisions in the field. These tasks can be complemented with a duty line for implementing concrete actions in case of a problem or emergency. They intend to give answer to some global needs in the following sectors:

- Logistics and transportations: Drone battery technology doesn't allow enough flight time or cargo. The main needs of this sector are to avoid putting human lifes at risk, being able to delivery packages with drones and aerial cranes with big cargo capabilities.

- Agriculture: Drone technology can help farmers reduce costs, make more precise decisions and improve access to information, knowledge and markets, increasing precision and control in remote and complex areas.

- Public safety and firefighting: Wildfires take away homes, wildlife and vegetation, polutes the aire and causes severe health problems. The development of new aircrafts would allow the existence of water mist jet creation methods that can contribute to reduce life´s risk, giving flexible solutions at night and city operations. This solution is more affordable than hydroplanes and helicopters (which cost is 3-12 times higher).

The company has raised funds by prestigious programs as CDTI (Spanish Ministry of Industry), ENISA, ESA_BIC and European programs foster by ESA (European Space Agency) or the European Council like H2020 SME. They have also collaborated with many private companies and universities.

The company has raised several funds from CDTI (Spanish Ministry of Industry), ENISA, ESA_BIC and other European programmes such as ESA (European Space Agency) or the European Council (SME Instrument). Currently, it is looking for partners to sign a commercial or financial agreement to acquire their solutions or to sign a joint-venture agreement in order to further develop their aviation technology.

Ideal partners are investors or clients who can benefit from the products offered and technology partners for the future improvement of the existing technology.

Advantages & innovations

Technical capacities above the average are the main differential value. The company has reached them thanks to its patented technology that increases the value of the company. The main innovations of its solutions are: ● Platform Architecture. The physical architecture defined is also protected and specifically designed for heavy-load stable operations. ● Attitude control system. The design of a stable attitude control system including this high-inertia low-response engines is critical to ensure project feasibility. ● Mission control Capabilities. Also working heavily on the mission control system, partnering with several universities and labs. ● Water Mist Jet Creation System. The company has developed proprietary water mist jet creation technology to be used specifically on the firefighting operations, improving heavily the water usage.

Stage of development

Available for demonstration

Partner sought

Investors: The company seeks to consolidate its activity and presence in the market in order to establish itself as the company of reference in the segment of drones with high cargo capacity. Apart from the public funding that was commented, they offer €3.5 million in equity to private investment. To cover this offer, a first €1M investment round will be held during Q4 in 2020. It’s principal aim is devote 700K€ to technical developments and flight tests. The remaining €300K includes funding for specific action commercial campaigns for light platform aircraft. A second round of €2.5M will take place in Q4 2021. Funds will be dedicated €1.4M for staff (DOA) due to the high salaries of certification experts and engineering leaders. To cover FAL, equipment and specific industrial supplies, 600k€ would be used. The last 20% of this second round, has commercial purposes as concrete campaigns for the supply of our light and heavy drones. Clients: Who can benefit from the products and services offered. Either private or public companies who are involved in one of the already mentioned sectors for giving solutions to the existing needs. Collaboration: Private and public enterprises who can be intermediaries in the use of the products and services offered. Technology partnerships: For developing and improving the existing technology, innovative companies or Universities who are in the R&D field and whose knowledge can be applied to the aeronautics sector (softwares, material suppliers, control systems…).