Airspace Link Secures $10M to Enhance Drone Safety
Airspace Link Secures $10 Million in Series A Funding
Airspace Link has announced the completion of a $10 million Series A funding round. The investment was led by Altos Ventures, with participation from Thales and other investors.
The Detroit, Michigan-based company intends to utilize these funds to broaden its service availability within the United States and to initiate international expansion efforts.
Addressing the Need for Drone Airspace Management
CEO Michael Healander explained to TechCrunch that current airspace regulations are insufficient. He likened the situation to a lack of rules of the road for drones, stating that his company is focused on creating the necessary digital infrastructure for safe and managed drone operations.
Airspace Link’s platform is designed to alleviate concerns held by both drone operators and local communities. It allows for compliant and secure drone flights by adhering to local airspace restrictions.
Platform Features and FAA Compliance
Airspace Link provides comprehensive tools for drone flight planning. These include API access, enabling developers to integrate the company’s data into their own applications.
FAA LAANC compliance is a key feature of the system. This allows drone pilots to submit flight operations while operating within controlled airspace. Airspace Link is one of only seven companies currently authorized by the FAA to provide this service.
Healander stated that a primary goal with the new funding is to establish integrations with a wide range of transportation organizations.
Company Background and Expansion Plans
Founded in 2018 by Michael Healander, Daniel Bradshaw, and Ana Healander, Airspace Link currently has a team of 20 full-time employees.
The company reports existing partnerships with over 40 government agencies and municipalities across the United States. Future plans include expansion into the markets of Australia and Canada.
Differentiating Factors and Core Purpose
According to Healander, Airspace Link distinguishes itself from competitors through its integration with mapping tools utilized by local governments. This provides valuable information regarding potential ground-based risks.
“Our core purpose is to safely integrate drones into the national airspace and our communities at scale,” Healander emphasized. He expressed gratitude to Altos Ventures and Thales for supporting their vision of establishing a shared, affordable, and neutral UAS infrastructure to facilitate the growth of the drone economy.
Founder’s Experience and Investor Details
This venture represents the latest entrepreneurial undertaking for Healander. He previously founded GeoMetri, an indoor GPS tracking company, which was later acquired by Acuity Brands.
The Series A round was led by Altos Ventures, with participation from Thales, a leading global provider of air traffic management systems, as well as previous investors including Indicator Ventures, 2048 Ventures, Ludlow Ventures, Matchstick Ventures, Techstars, and Dan Gilbert’s Detroit Venture Partners (DVP).
Thales’ Perspective on Airspace Management
Todd Donovan, Thales vice president of Airspace Mobility Solutions Americas, highlighted the importance of combining air and ground insights for safe, low-altitude UAS operations.
He stated that Thales’ expertise in airspace management, combined with Airspace Link’s geospatial intelligence capabilities, provides an ideal solution to this complex challenge.
