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Tuesday, March 19, 2024

Norwegian startup raises €1 million in public funding to enhance its drone delivery services

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Trondheim-based startup Aviant recently announced a significant milestone in their journey, securing a substantial €1 million in public funding from Innovation Norway. The achievement further solidifies Aviant’s position as a key player in the drone logistics sector. Having previously attracted €2.3 million during a seed round led by Luminar Ventures, with participation from Bring Ventures and with this latest injection of funds, Aviant is poised to expand its door-to-door delivery services to a broader market. Additionally, the startup harbors plans to penetrate other European markets, signaling their desire for growth and market dominance.

Founded by Lars Erik Fagernæs, Herman Øie Kolden and Bernhard Paus Græsdal who crossed paths at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Aviant emerged in 2020 as a response to the escalating logistical demands within the healthcare sector during the COVID-19 pandemic. Their swift progress was evident when they successfully executed their inaugural autonomous flight in February 2021. Subsequently, Aviant assumed responsibility for transportation services for a prominent Norwegian dairy producer, demonstrating their capabilities in the field.

The startup’s contributions extended beyond the dairy industry, as they actively supported St. Olavs Hospital in the transportation of vital COVID-19 samples. Moreover, Aviant has continued to provide indispensable assistance in transporting sample specimens and equipment across various sectors, positioning themselves as a formidable leader in the European drone market.

As Aviant sets its sights on the future, their focus has turned towards enhancing their flagship service, Kyte, to optimize home delivery operations. The company aims to expedite delivery processes, streamline procedures, and maximize overall efficiency, thereby revolutionizing the delivery landscape.

“Door-to-door drone delivery has been a hot topic for years already, but most commercial attempts have been limited to small, open areas such as a single park, or technology that limits the radius to 2-3 kms. Where plenty of companies have received initial funding, getting a commercial last-mile delivery service up and running has proven extremely difficult. That changes with Kyte. We have a large delivery radius, the permits to operate, and no requirements for pilots or spotters along the route. We are actually delivering food, groceries and medicine by drone to people’s doorsteps in Norway right now,” says Lars Erik Fagernæs.

“Our technology proved critical for rural healthcare services during the pandemic, where winter road closures meant our drones were the only link between Covid-19 test sites and laboratories in Central Norway. Now, with the launch of Kyte and our funding from Innovation Norway, Luminar Ventures and Bring Ventures, we are able to provide people in remote and hard-to-reach areas with the groceries and medical supplies they need, directly to their doorstep, with no traffic restrictions and minimal climate emissions,” says Lars Erik Fagernæs, co-founder and CEO at Aviant.

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Nurcin Metingil
Nurcin Metingil
A permanent student, a passionate first reader and nowadays doing master’s degree in Publishing Management. Beside these, I am up for games! I have been playing games since I was 6. Now, I am whispering "Business. Business. Numbers. Is this working?"

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