Key Takeaways

  • Manna Aero is establishing a U.S. operations center in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
  • The startup aims to hire around 1,000 employees over the coming years.
  • Expansion plans include entering six additional U.S. cities by late 2027.
  • Manna operates drones that deliver packages without landing.

Manna Aero’s U.S. Expansion Plans

Manna Aero, an autonomous drone delivery startup based in Ireland, is gearing up for a major expansion in the United States. Founder and CEO Bobby Healy announced that the company will set up a new operations and manufacturing center in Tulsa, Oklahoma, following a successful $50 million funding round in April.

New Facility and Job Creation

The Tulsa facility is expected to create approximately 1,000 jobs over the next several years. Construction is already underway, with manufacturing anticipated to start within a year. In the meantime, Manna plans to grow its operations team to between 200 and 300 employees in the next 12 months, depending on growth rates in other U.S. cities. Healy mentioned that the company is evaluating six additional locations for future expansion, aiming to enter these markets by the end of 2027.

Competing in the Drone Delivery Market

Manna aims to establish itself as a significant player in the U.S. drone delivery sector, competing with companies like Zipline, Amazon, and Google’s Wing. Healy noted that the U.S. market is attractive due to its size and consumer behavior, particularly with the consolidation of delivery services like DoorDash and Uber Eats.

Operational Model and International Presence

Manna operates drones that deliver packages using a tethering method, similar to its competitors. The company employs a delivery-as-a-service model, charging per flight while also partnering with various businesses and delivery platforms. Although Manna’s headquarters remain in Ireland, it has ceased drone delivery operations there due to regulatory challenges.

Strategic Leadership and Regulatory Environment

To spearhead its U.S. expansion, Manna has appointed former Ryanair CMO Kenny Jacobs as executive chair and president. Healy expressed optimism about the regulatory environment in the U.S., citing supportive policies from the Trump administration and the FAA as factors that have accelerated investment in the drone delivery industry.

Current Operations in Texas

Manna is not entirely new to the U.S. market, having begun operations in 2023 in the AllianceTexas Mobility Innovation Zone near Dallas. The company has since expanded its presence in the greater Dallas-Fort Worth area and plans to continue scaling its operations there over the next year.