Airware
American venture-funded commercial drone startup that ceased operations in 2018.
Airware, officially known as Unmanned Innovation, Inc., was a U.S. startup backed by venture capital that supplied commercial drones to businesses. It shut down on September 14, 2018. Its assets were later bought by Delair, a French UAV manufacturer and asset-management firm based in Toulouse. The company built enterprise drones that integrated hardware, onboard and mobile software, and cloud services, targeting commercial applications such as anti-poaching, infrastructure inspections, and precision agriculture. Founded in 2011 by Jonathan Downey in Newport Beach, California, Airware moved its headquarters to San Francisco in January 2014. Downey started the company after becoming frustrated with what he saw as rigid and expensive autopilot systems for unmanned aircraft. The startup was incubated at Lemnos Labs and Y Combinator. In March 2016, it announced a $30 million Series C funding round led by Next World Capital, with participation from Andreessen Horowitz, Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, and Cisco Systems executive chairman John T. Chambers. Board members included Andreessen Horowitz partner Martin Casado, Kleiner Perkins partner Mike Abbott, and Chambers. In 2015, Airware launched a venture fund for commercial drones to help expand drone use across various industries. The company acquired Redbird, a drone analytics software firm, in 2016. On September 14, 2018, Airware announced it was ceasing operations immediately. Airware’s services combined hardware, onboard and mobile software, and cloud tools for sectors like mining, insurance, and construction. It offered navigation software for drones, tablet software to guide and monitor flights, and cloud services for storing and managing collected data. Unlike most drone software tied to specific models, Airware worked on a platform that could operate across different aircraft. It previously partnered with commercial drone makers to integrate its autopilot hardware and software, then worked directly with enterprise clients to find solutions and ensure regulatory compliance.
Quick Facts
- Founded
- 2011
- Key People
- Jonathan Downey (Founder) Yvonne Wassenaar (CEO)
- Industry
- UAV Systems
- Hq Location
- San Francisco, California
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Airware was founded by Jonathan Downey in 2011 out of a frustration with the 'inflexible and costly' autopilot systems for unmanned aircraft. The company was incubated at both Lemnos Labs and Y Combinator. In March 2016, the company announced a $30 million Series C round of financing led by Next World Capital with Andreessen Horowitz, Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers and Cisco Systems executive chairman John T. Chambers. Andreessen Horowitz partner Martin Casado, Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers partner Mike Abbott, and John T. Chambers are members of the company's board. In 2015, Airware launched a new venture fund for commercial drones to support 'scaling the use of drones across a variety of commercial applications.' Airware purchased Redbird, a drone analytics software company, in 2016. On September 14, 2018, Airware announced it was ceasing operations effective immediately. Airware offered enterprise drone services combining hardware, on-aircraft and mobile software, and cloud services for industries like mining, insurance, and construction.
Reader's Guide
Airware's significance lies in its attempt to create a universal platform for commercial drones, offering hardware, on-aircraft and mobile software, and cloud services that aimed to be compatible across different aircraft models. This approach contrasted with most drone software at the time, which was designed for specific models. The company's focus on enterprise applications—including anti-poaching, infrastructure inspections, precision agriculture, mining, insurance, and construction—reflected the early commercial drone market's expansion beyond hobbyist use. Airware's venture funding, including a $30 million Series C round led by Next World Capital with participation from prominent venture firms and Cisco's executive chairman, indicated strong investor interest in the commercial drone sector. The company's acquisition of Redbird, a drone analytics software company, in 2016, showed an effort to integrate data analysis into its offerings. However, Airware ceased operations on September 14, 2018, and its assets were acquired by Delair, a French UAV manufacturer and asset-management company. This outcome illustrates the challenges faced by early commercial drone startups in achieving sustainable business models, even with significant funding and high-profile backers.
Did You Know?
- Airware was incorporated as Unmanned Innovation, Inc.
- The company was founded in 2011 in Newport Beach, California, by Jonathan Downey.
- Airware's assets were acquired by Delair, a UAV manufacturer based in Toulouse, France.
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