Flyby Robotics Raises $4M, Trials Near Phoenix
Drone delivery takes off
Los Angeles-based Flyby Robotics announced it raised $4 million in pre-seed funding, as the drone delivery space continues to take off. The round was led by MaC Venture Capital, with participation from Weekend Fund, Anthemis, Evening Fund, and strategic investments from an impressive array of tech luminaries.
Founded by a team of engineers associated with Yale, NASA JPL, and Anduril, the startup aims to build end-to-end automation for drone delivery. The company’s current focus is on food delivery, as evinced by its recent trial in Mesa, Arizona - near Phoenix. Restaurants served include Nektar Juice Bar, MAD Greens, Tokyo Joe’s, and Popadelics. Customers were able to order for a $3 delivery fee, with delivery times averaging four minutes.
Speaking to their choice of pilot location and restaurant partners, COO Cat Orman shared “Restaurant partners are always looking for innovative ways to best serve their customers and stakeholders like the Mesa City Council have a strong interest in autonomy + affordable, sustainable, delivery infrastructure so it became a natural conversation once a location was determined.” The company has more pilots set for the near future, including one in Las Vegas’ Innovation District.
