Manna Drone Delivery Startup Expands into US

Manna Aero, the Ireland-based autonomous drone delivery startup, is setting up a major operations and manufacturing center in Tulsa, Oklahoma. This expansion is a significant move for the company, which aims to compete with the likes of Zipline, Amazon, and Google's Wing in the US market.

Founder and CEO Bobby Healy's Vision

The startup, fueled by $50 million in venture capital raised in April, plans to employ about 1,000 people over the next several years. Construction on the factory is underway, and Healy expects manufacturing to begin there in about a year. The company will focus on scaling its operations team to about 200 to 300 people over the next 12 months, according to Healy.

The company's end goal is to turn Manna Aero into a major US drone delivery operator, which will give them a significant competitive edge in the market.

Hybrid Business Model

Manna operates a hybrid business model, which includes delivering packages on a tether, similar to Wing and Zipline. The company charges per flight, but also partners with DoorDash, Deliveroo, and Uber Eats in Europe, as well as direct partnerships with businesses and its own consumer-facing app.

It's not just about delivery-as-a-service; Manna has different ways of achieving that, including through partnerships and its own app.

Expansion into the US Market

Manna is putting its capital and resources into the US market, where it will operate in six other cities by the end of 2027. The company has already begun operating in the AllianceTexas Mobility Zone near Dallas, Texas, and plans to continue scaling there over the next year.

The Trump administration's and the FAA's policies have given the industry a "turbo boost" in the country, according to Healy.

Hiring and Growth

Healy expects manufacturing to begin at the Tulsa factory in about a year, and the company will continue to scale its operations team over the next 12 months. The pace of hiring at the factory will depend on the rate of growth outside of Tulsa, he said.

The company is assessing six other US cities and plans to start entering those cities by the end of 2027, if all goes well.

Conclusion

Manna Aero's expansion into the US market is a significant move for the company, which aims to compete with the likes of Zipline, Amazon, and Google's Wing. With a focus on drone delivery services and a hybrid business model, Manna is well-positioned to take on the competition in the US market.