Manna Air Delivery Raises $50 Million Led by ARK Invest to Scale Drone Delivery in US

Manna Air Delivery Raises $50 Million Led by ARK Invest to Scale Drone Delivery in US

Manna Air Delivery, an Ireland-based autonomous drone delivery company, has closed a $50 million Series B funding round led by ARK Invest, bringing total funding to $110 million. The capital will be used to launch commercial drone delivery operations in multiple US cities, building on the company’s successful track record of over 250,000 commercial deliveries in Ireland and parts of Europe. The investment reflects growing investor conviction that autonomous aerial delivery is transitioning from a novelty to a viable last-mile logistics solution that can compete with and potentially surpass traditional delivery methods on cost, speed, and environmental impact.

Manna’s Delivery Technology

Manna’s drone delivery system uses custom-designed fixed-wing drones capable of carrying packages weighing up to 4 kilograms (8.8 pounds) over distances of up to 5 kilometers from a centralized hub. The drones fly at altitudes above 50 meters and descend to deliver packages via a lowering mechanism that brings items gently to ground level without requiring the drone itself to land. This approach allows deliveries to be completed in approximately 3-5 minutes from order placement, with a precision landing capability that can target a specific area of a customer’s front yard or designated delivery zone.

Track Record and Performance Data

Manna’s operational history in Ireland provides compelling evidence for the viability of drone delivery at scale. The company has completed over 250,000 commercial deliveries for partners including Tesco, Samsung, and local restaurant chains, with a delivery success rate exceeding 99.5% and an average delivery time of 4 minutes. Customer satisfaction scores consistently exceed 95%, with the speed and novelty of drone delivery driving high adoption rates in served communities. The company reports zero safety incidents involving injuries to people or property across its entire delivery history.

US Market Entry Strategy

Manna plans to launch US operations in three suburban markets in the Southeast and Southwest, where population density, weather conditions, and regulatory environments are most favorable for drone delivery. The company has been working with the Federal Aviation Administration under its Part 135 certification pathway and expects to receive approval for commercial operations in the first US markets by Q3 2026. Initial service will focus on quick-service restaurant deliveries and pharmacy prescriptions — two categories where speed and convenience drive significant consumer demand.

The Economics of Drone Delivery

Manna claims that its per-delivery cost has reached approximately $1.50, significantly below the $8-12 typical for human-driven last-mile delivery. The company attributes this cost advantage to the fully autonomous nature of its operations, the relatively simple maintenance requirements of its drones, and the high utilization rates achievable with a fleet that can operate continuously throughout the day. ARK Invest has projected that the addressable market for drone delivery in the US alone could reach $115 billion by 2030, with Manna positioned to capture a significant share in suburban and exurban markets where the economics are most favorable.