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Dronetech startup Airbound raises $1.7 Mn in seed capital

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Drone technology startup Airbound has raised $1.7 million in a seed round led by Lightspeed, with additional participation from gradCapital and other angel investors. The Bengaluru-based company had previously raised $50.1K. Airbound plans to deploy the fresh funds towards R&D efforts, initially focusing on medical deliveries, such as routine supply transportation from health centers to testing labs. The company also aims to expand into other applications, including food and grocery delivery, where reducing logistics costs can significantly boost profitability, according to a press release. Founded in 2020 by Naman Pushp, Airbound is a drone delivery company focused on building next-generation drones that can reduce last-mile delivery costs by over two orders of magnitude. The company claims to overcome key technological bottlenecks, condensing 30 kg of hardware into 1 kg, which improves safety, scalability, and operational costs. Its proprietary blended wing body tailsitter design, known as TRT, aims to transform logistics. Airbound states that its TRT design will produce the lightest, safest, and most economically viable delivery drone, reducing delivery costs to just a few cents. The company asserts that its drone is over three times lighter than conventional alternatives, with four times the aerodynamic efficiency, significantly lowering both upfront and operational expenses. Airbound meticulously examines every vehicle system to reduce weight, enhance safety and reliability, and maximize efficiency. It has introduced innovative carbon fiber manufacturing methods, allowing the weight of the airframe to be reduced from 6 pounds to just 400 grams. In India, Airbound competes with Red Wing and Tech Eagle, while it competes with companies like Wing and Zipline globally.