You can find the episode about drones and all other episodes of our podcast on Spotify, iTunes, Deezer, Google Podcasts, Pocket Casts, Radio Public, Breaker, Overcast, Castbox, Podcast Addict and Anchor.
This year's event preview focuses on the German Accelerator Startup Lunch Lesson and the expert tutorial "Pitching to Investors" from Baystartup. You can find all dates, registration links, and other events in our calendar.
Drone platform and transition aircraft
After a general introduction to the topic of drones (from minute 2:15) we introduce the Munich startup Fairfleet The company, founded in 2015 by Marco Kreuzer, Dario Manns, and Alexander Engelfried, uses its platform to connect drone pilots with those who need aerial images and smart data analysis. The startup is also working on a solution that enables flights beyond line of sight. We'll explain exactly what this entails starting at minute 5:00.
However, if you want to buy drones directly instead of just renting them with a pilot, Quantum Systems (from minute 8:10). The startup, with roots at the Bundeswehr University Munich, develops and produces drones for civilian applications. It specializes in so-called transition aircraft. These combine the capabilities of a helicopter with the aerodynamics of a fixed-wing aircraft designed for cruising flight.
Future of aviation
The next startup we present in the podcast is not only focusing on drones, but also on aircraft in general. Electric Flytrain is working on turnkey electric drivetrains for almost anything that flies. Founders Tobias Kahnert, Simon Rudolph, and Jonas Fauser aim to help aircraft manufacturers accelerate the development of electric aircraft. We present the startup's first products, such as a hybrid drive for drones, starting at minute 11:50.
A future in which not only drones fly through urban airspace for delivery purposes, but also air taxis, is being discussed. Skyroads Thoughts (from minute 15:00). After all, this increase in traffic in the sky must also be managed. And this is precisely what the Munich-based startup is developing a traffic management system for. Skyroads is supported by a large number of aviation experts and has already achieved initial success.
Mutschler Ventures
In this episode we also introduce one of the investors in Skyroads: the Swiss Family Office Mutschler VenturesFounded in 2007 by Sylvie Mutschler von Specht, it focuses not only on digital business models and platforms but also on key technologies such as blockchain, software, mobility, robotics and automation, fintech, and biotech. You can hear more about Mutschler starting at minute 18:10.
Finally, we take a look at current figures from a market study by the Association of Unmanned Aviation (starting at minute 20:20). This shows that currently 90 percent of drones in Germany are still used privately. However, the number of commercially used UAVs is growing steadily. While 19,000 drones were in commercial use in 2019, this number had risen to 45,200 in 2021. The study also reveals that 423 million euros have been invested in German drone companies since 2012. The majority of this money (67 percent) flowed within the last two years. An interesting forecast also comes from Roland BergerThe consultancy assumes that by 2030 there will be 5,000 passenger drones in use worldwide – and by 2050 there will be 160,000.
