Manna, the world’s first aviation-grade B2B drone delivery ‘as-a-service’ platform, has officially announced its plans for the remainder of 2022 and 2023. These plans include expansion into both the USA and Europe. Plans also include the development of a new manufacturing site and the launch of a new delivery site in a large Dublin suburb, with a population of about 100,000.
Hire a team of up to 50 locally
Manna currently employs 103 staff and earlier this year announced plans to hire a team of up to 50 locally to meet the demand for the service, with a planned roll-out across Ireland, the US and Europe in 2022/2023.
Manna’s mission is to improve the world by making lightning-fast suburban deliveries affordable, green and safe. Flying autonomously, one Manna aircraft can do 100 deliveries a day and one Manna employee will be able to remotely oversee up to 20 aircraft at the same time. Manna recently expanded to the Dublin suburb Balbriggan, where the population of 35,000 can be served with a mere four aircraft.
Manna works with more than 30 vendors, including Blasta Street Kitchen, Bó Bainne, Applegreen, Tesco, Healthwave, Quick Ink, Cuddles Pet Store and more.
Manna recently commissioned a study with the University of Maynooth, which set out to compare the amount of carbon emitted during drone delivery to terrestrial forms of delivery, including cars, motorbikes and electric bikes, and whether drones were the cleanest, most efficient means of last mile delivery.
This study showed that Manna’s drone emitted between six and eight times less C02 than a small petrol car (1.4L engine) and that although ebikes may emit slightly less carbon dioxide, they take twice as long as drones to complete deliveries. Therefore if we want our future deliveries to be efficient and more environmentally friendly, drones are the best option. You can view the full study here.
High-potential growth industry
Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Leo Varadkar said: “Manna is a great example of an indigenous Irish company at the cutting-edge of a high-potential growth industry. This year Manna has created 50 jobs in Balbriggan, and I know they have ambitious expansion plans for the future.”
On the expansion, Bobby Healy CEO and founder of Manna, said: "Rolling out Manna’s service domestically and internationally has always been part of our strategy, we are delighted that this is going to be achieved. Expanding into the USA and across Europe in 2022/2023, while also providing another large Dublin suburb with Drone Delivery and the addition of another manufacturing site shows our rapid growth plans and dedication to our mission.”
To date Manna has raised more than €30m from investors such as Molten Ventures, Team Europe, Partners of DST Global, Founders Fund, Dynamo Ventures, Atlantic Bridge, and Elkstone.