Airware
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Commercial unmanned aerial vehicles |
| Founded | 2011 in Newport Beach, California, U.S. |
| Founder | Jonathan Downey |
| Defunct | September 14, 2018 |
| Fate | Operations discontinued; assets purchased by Delair |
| Headquarters | San Francisco , United States |
Area served | Global |
Key people | Jonathan Downey (founder) |
| Products | Enterprise drone systems (hardware, onboard software, mobile apps, cloud services) |
| Website | www |
Airware (legally known as Unmanned Innovation, Inc.) was a U.S.-based startup backed by venture capital, specializing in commercial unmanned aerial vehicle solutions for business applications. The company discontinued its operations on September 14, 2018. Subsequently, its assets were purchased by Delair, a UAV manufacturer and asset management company headquartered in Toulouse, France.
Established in 2011 in Newport Beach, California by Jonathan Downey, Airware moved its headquarters to San Francisco in January 2014. The firm focused on creating enterprise drone systems that combined hardware, onboard software, mobile apps, and cloud-based services. Airware’s primary markets included sectors such as anti-poaching efforts, infrastructure inspections, and precision farming.
History
Jonathan Downey founded Airware in 2011 out of dissatisfaction with the expensive and rigid autopilot technologies available for unmanned aircraft. The startup was nurtured through incubators like Lemnos Labs and Y Combinator. In March 2016, Airware completed a $30 million Series C funding round spearheaded by Next World Capital, with contributions from Andreessen Horowitz, Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, and Cisco’s executive chairman John T. Chambers. Board members included Martin Casado (Andreessen Horowitz), Mike Abbott (Kleiner Perkins), and Chambers himself.
In 2015, Airware introduced a venture fund aimed at accelerating the adoption of commercial drone technologies across various industries. The company broadened its software portfolio by acquiring Redbird, a drone analytics enterprise, in 2016. Despite these strategic initiatives, Airware halted its operations on September 14, 2018.
Products and services
Airware delivered comprehensive enterprise drone solutions that integrated hardware components with both onboard and mobile software alongside cloud infrastructure tailored for industries like mining, insurance, and construction. Its product suite featured navigation systems, flight tracking applications, and cloud platforms designed to store and manage aerial data. Unlike most drone software limited to specific models, Airware engineered a versatile platform compatible with a wide range of aircraft. Collaborations with commercial drone manufacturers enabled embedding of their autopilot hardware and software, while direct engagement with enterprise clients ensured customized solutions that adhered to regulatory standards.
Further reading
- Gallagher, Sean. "Raspberry Fly? Airware's Linux and ARM developer platform for drones." Ars Technica, August 14, 2013.
- Russon, Mary-Ann. "Drone Operating System: MIT Startup Airware and NASA Transforming Hobby into Commercial Industry." International Business Times, September 12, 2014.
- "Drones CAN'T deliver goods ... oh. Air traffic control system backed by NASA, you say?" The Register, September 16, 2014.
- "Why Is America Losing the Commercial Drone Wars?" Washington Monthly, June/July/August 2015.
- "Airware Launches Drone Operating System And Picks Up Intel As An Investor." Forbes.com, April 16, 2015.
- Intelligence BI. "Airware acquires drone-powered analytics company." Business Insider, September 23, 2016.
- "Caterpillar invests in Airware bringing drone tech to mining and construction enterprises." TechCrunch, February 2, 2017.
- Benton, Dale. "Reach for the sky: Airware and the future of drones in the mining industry." Mining Global, March 17, 2017.
External links
- Articles with short description
- United States aerospace firms
- Technology enterprises located in the San Francisco Bay Area
- Companies founded in California in 2011
- Electronics firms founded in 2011
- Manufacturers of unmanned aerial vehicles
- American enterprises established in 2011
- Companies dissolved in California in 2018
- American businesses closed in 2018
- Electronics companies that ceased operations in 2018
- Technology companies founded in 2011
- Technology companies that ended operations in 2018
- U.S. manufacturers of unmanned aerial vehicles
- American companies disestablished in 2018