Maple Aviation, founded in 2022, has completed a seed financing round of four million euros. The company from Ottobrunn develops drones for transporting medications and laboratory samples. With the capital, Maple Aviation aims to accelerate the transition from development to operational deployment.
Bayern Kapital, ES Kapital, Rüdiger Schmidt, Stefan Eishold, Martin Giese (Cambridge Ventures), Bernd Bäzner, and additional super angels are participating in the financing round. Additionally, the startup receives funding from the Upper Bavaria government through the Bavarian Aerospace Research Program as well as from the European Space Agency.
Maple Aviation develops battery-powered cargo drones that fly emission-free. According to the company, they transport loads of up to ten kilograms at speeds of around 90 kilometers per hour over distances of up to 70 kilometers. Additionally, as the first company, the startup has permission to deploy transport drones across Europe over fields, villages, and densely populated major cities without additional special permits.
Operational launch still planned for 2026
According to Maple Aviation, more than ten hospitals and laboratories have already chosen the startup as their future logistics partner before the start of commercial operations. The first paying customers are to be served later this year, with more to follow in 2027.
The fresh financing will be used specifically for further development of drone technology, expansion of charging infrastructure, and building out the team.
