Frankfurt-based Wingcopter, a startup that develops and sells transport drones for humanitarian and civil applications, announced that it has secured €40M quasi-equity investment from The European Investment Bank (EIB).
This strategic investment aims to propel the production of Wingcopter’s flagship model — the Wingcopter 198. It also facilitates the expansion of delivery operations within Europe and internationally.
Additionally, the funding will accelerate company innovation efforts. The agreement is part of the InvestEU program, which supports the transition toward a sustainable economy.
Launched in 2017 by Tom Plümmer, Jonathan Hesselbarth, and Ansgar Kadura, Wingcopter is a developer, manufacturer, and operator of unmanned eVTOL, fixed-wing unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), and provider of drone delivery services.
The company is focused on optimizing medical supply chains, as well as the last-mile logistics of packages, tools, spare parts, food, and groceries.
The Wingcopter 198 can take off and land vertically like a multi-copter, while flying long distances as effectively and rapidly as a fixed-wing aircraft, even in rain and severe winds.
With a maximum payload capacity of 5 kg and a range of up to 100 km, Wingcopter’s core hardware and software are patented worldwide.
Currently powered solely by batteries, the company is collaborating with Hamburg-based ZAL Center for Applied Aeronautical Research GmbH to develop a green hydrogen energy system.
This innovative system aims to enhance the flight endurance of Wingcopter’s drones, making it possible for them to carry out longer missions.
Wingcopter’s electrically powered unmanned aircraft deliver goods for several small-scale commercial and humanitarian projects.
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