Autonomous logistics startup Airbound has raised $8.65 million in seed funding, marking a major step in its journey to reshape aerial delivery networks in India. The Bengaluru-based company is also set to begin a pilot program with Narayana Health to test medical deliveries, showing how drone-based logistics could redefine essential supply chains in the country.
The funding round was led by Lachy Groom, with participation from Humba Ventures, Lightspeed, and senior leaders from global companies such as Tesla, Anduril, and Ather Energy. With this new capital infusion, Airbound’s total funding now stands at over $10 million. The startup plans to use the fresh funds to expand manufacturing, enhance its research capabilities, and move towards full-scale commercial operations.
Building the Future of Drone Logistics
Airbound is pioneering drone technology through its unique blended-wing-body aircraft design, which allows drones to take off vertically like helicopters and then transition into efficient forward flight like airplanes. This hybrid design makes the drones more energy-efficient and suitable for long-distance operations. The aircraft are constructed using lightweight carbon fiber materials, offering durability without compromising performance.
Each drone can carry one kilogram of payload for every 1.5 kilograms of its own mass, a remarkable ratio that gives Airbound an edge in the growing field of autonomous aerial logistics. The startup’s long-term goal is to make deliveries faster, safer, and more cost-effective while reducing the dependency on traditional road transport.
By combining advanced aerodynamics, energy efficiency, and precision control, Airbound’s technology can be applied across multiple sectors including healthcare, e-commerce, and defense logistics.
Partnering with Narayana Health for Medical Deliveries
To prove its capabilities, Airbound has partnered with Narayana Health, one of India’s top hospital chains, for a three-month pilot project focused on medical deliveries. The company aims to complete around ten successful drone deliveries per day, transporting critical items such as blood samples, test kits, and essential medicines.
This pilot will allow Airbound to demonstrate how its systems perform in real-world medical environments, where speed and accuracy are crucial. If successful, it could pave the way for large-scale drone adoption in healthcare, especially in rural or hard-to-reach areas where ground transport can be unreliable.
Preparing for Large-Scale Operations
After the seed funding, Airbound plans to scale up manufacturing, expand its engineering team, and improve operational efficiency. The company aims to build a network of autonomous aircraft capable of handling commercial deliveries at scale by 2026.
Industry experts believe Airbound’s technology could transform how goods are moved across India. With strong investor backing and a clear technological vision, Airbound is poised to become a major player in India’s growing drone logistics sector, driving the future of smart, autonomous deliveries in the skies.