Indy’s DroneDek Receives Major Funding
(rendering courtesy of DRONEDEK)
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowDroneDek, the Indianapolis-based startup that has developed a “high-tech mailbox designed for secure drone delivery,” says it has raised more than $1.2 million to support its product launch. The company says it is also planning to establish a new central Indiana office and create up to 85 high-wage jobs.
The startup says the investments came from a combination of angel investors and a crowdsourcing campaign that closes April 30. DroneDek holds two U.S. patents for its mailbox, which can accept any type of drone delivery, including food deliveries that it can keep hot or cold.
“We couldn’t be more pleased with the response,” said DroneDek Chief Executive Officer Dan O’Toole. “We’ll be announcing our new headquarters location along with some other significant advances in the next few months.”
The Indiana Economic Development Corp. has offered the startup up to $1.7 million in conditional tax credits based on its plans to create up to 85 high-wage jobs in the Hoosier State by the end of 2025.
“Central Indiana’s tech ecosystem is thriving and innovative companies like DRONEDEK are taking notice, and are growing and innovating here,” said Indiana Secretary of Commerce Jim Schellinger. “DRONEDEK’s technology will make a positive impact on the world, and the company is also making a positive impact directly in the community by creating new, high-quality job opportunities for Hoosiers.”
DroneDek says it is one of the first companies in the world to work on drone delivery for commercial and residential use.