Executive Summary
Aeronavics is a world-leading designer and manufacturer of remotely piloted aerial systems (RPAS). The company launched its first product in 2010, and targets the professional / industrial segments of the $11 billion US and growing global RPAS market. Aeronavics has been able to secure premier international clients such as NASA, Disney and Dreamworks with its best in class products across a range of different applications, delivering long flight times, high payload capabilities, and smooth vibration-free performance complemented by a range of sensors.
RPAS, or drones, enable new and exciting opportunities to improve performance, increase safety and reduce cost across a variety of industries from motion picture filming through to emergency services, farming and forestry. Historically Aeronavics shipped airframes under its Droidworx brand, allowing end-users and distribution partners to innovate on its platform. This focus has shifted and Aeronavics now markets its branded products in key vertical applications, collaborating with existing channel partners, sensor vendors and others to create and deliver complete vertical application solutions.
Aeronavics plans to build a fast growing, profitable $50-100m revenue company in the next 5-7 years. In order to deliver this growth, Aeronavics requires funds for working capital, ongoing leadership R&D, channel and partner development, investment in key personnel, tooling and production line equipment.
The funding target for this investment round is $750,000 with a funding cap of $1,500,000 for a maximum equity position of 15%. At the minimum level, the funding will be used for the completion of tooling and moulds for our new line of ready to fly RPAS, for marketing, for formalizing contracts with selected distribution outlets, for manufacturing RPAS to send out for evaluation to potential high-value domestic and international clients, and for selecting additions to the existing core team.
If we raise more than $750,000, we will build the team faster and progress faster toward the revenue and growth targets. We would also develop products in our R&D pipeline at an earlier stage, further increasing our competitive edge and widening our range of solutions as well as increasing and streamlining our production capabilities.
This is an exceptional and unique opportunity for New Zealanders to invest in a company that is already playing on the world stage, has a solid reputation globally and more than $5 million in sales to date. Aeronavics is a leader in an industry that is set to be a rapidly expanding multi billion dollar market.
We chose equity crowdfunding for this first round of investment as it offers the general public the opportunity to invest in a dynamic New Zealand company at the forefront of the global drone revolution.
Product Overview
Aeronavics produces professional and industrial RPAS (or drone) solutions. These systems solve a variety of problems in several market segments, and our products include a high level of service, training and implementation support. Systems are robust, easy to use and fit for purpose, whether it’s shooting a Hollywood blockbuster, mustering sheep, inspecting bridges or finding lost bush walkers.
We were the first company in the world to develop a professional multi-rotor airframe solution, and as an early player in this huge market, we have gained substantial industry knowledge and have established a trusted brand worldwide.
Our airframe structures still differentiate us from others in the market space. A blend of aerodynamic features, robustness, durability through high-quality industrial composite and aerospace materials, functionality, and visual appeal make our craft stand out in performance as well as looks.
Although some of our earlier more basic designs were copied, the increased design complexity and our substantial investment in tooling have kept copycats away; we plan to pursue evaluation of proprietary design elements of the new range for further intellectual property protection.
The performance of our craft further confirms our leading edge, offering maximized flight duration (over an hour) and payload capability (7.5kg standard, and up to 20kg on specialized craft) by finding the most efficient component configurations (motors/propellers/batteries) matched with the right design geometry to create a well-tuned and high-performance system. This is the result of years of design experience, and built-up know-how.
Our craft ensure smooth and vibration-free camera footage and sensor results through our world class vibration absorbing gear-rail assembly, engine mountings and vibration absorbing composites. Systems are easily packed down for travel whilst retaining structural integrity within the design.
The basic design can be adapted to different uses with the addition of specialised equipment using a unique and easily exchangeable payload attachment feature. Possible payload attachments include cinema-quality motion picture cameras, industrial zoom cameras, NVDA sensors, multispectral and hyperspectral devices, thermal imaging equipment, spray pods, laser scanners, air sampling equipment and more. This extends the functionality of a single drone to become a valuable multi-purpose tool for a variety of operational tasks in the field.
We have formed collaborations with third-party manufacturers to integrate their devices and software programs in our complete package solutions. An example is our mapping/survey package that can include a Sony camera (collaboration with Sony) and a world class post-processing software package (collaboration with Pix4D). We have similar arrangements with thermal imaging devices (FLIR), NVDA (Sentek) and LiDAR (Headwall Photonics) as just a few examples.
We are forming more collaborations as new sensor hardware emerges. Aeronavics is contacted almost weekly now by new companies wishing to align with us.
We build unique world class RPAS systems with modular airframe structures, cutting-edge flight capabilities, proven results through proprietary vibration dampening technology and turn-key end to end solutions all backed by extensive service, support and user training / education.
Our clients include high-end movie producers, energy companies, oil and gas, forestry, mining, security, emergency services and law enforcement. These clients use drones as a primary tool, where down time is costly, and are looking to us for a reliable, dependable and robust solution.
In cases of fire, and other hazardous situations where lives are at risk, there simply are no compromises to be made. Our products are designed to be robust and meet the needs of challenging environmental situations and demanding customers.
Our team at Aeronavics is made up of 12 people consisting of 6 employees, 5 contractors and one independent Chairman. Two of the employees form the senior management and are also Directors of the company. We will bolster the already impressive senior management with an experienced Operations executive. Our team have significant industry experience including sophisticated design capabilities and a wealth of international sales and channel management know-how. Our staff and contractors have the key skills and attributes which have been translated to the current success of Aeronavics, and they all have the passion, drive, tenacity and energy to allow Aeronavics to become the global market leader in Industrial Remotely Piloted Aerial Systems.
Rob Brouwer Head of R&D and Product Development, Director
Rob’s interest in aviation and design began at an early age building balsa wood models, experimenting with different shapes and wing types. This fascination for flight resulted in a career as a commercial pilot in Australia. Rob was approached by the Australian Air Force to train to fly fighter jets. Although extremely flattered at the recognition of his ability and skill, Rob declined and turned his attention back to aviation in the civilian world. Aerial robotics became Rob’s passion in 2008 and resulted in establishing one of the world’s first professional level aerial robotic airframe design and manufacturing companies (Droidworx). Rob can be credited with all that has been invented and designed in the company, and given his skills in engineering and design, he aptly heads up product development.
Martin Riegel Independent Chairman
Martin has a long-held interest in innovative technology and its commercialization. Martin is a Principal at Broadfield Advisory which he co-founded in 2013 with Al Monro to actively help New Zealand technology companies expand globally. Martin is currently working with a number of New Zealand companies and government entities including as CEO/Director of UbiquiOS Technology, Director of Cemplicity, Chairman of Mixquake, Director of Broadbell Technologies, Director of Vizzybell, and with FarmIQ, Serato, and Callaghan Innovation. Martin also volunteers as a University of Auckland SPARK competition judge and mentor. Martin has served as CEO, COO and CFO for a number of technology companies over his career including NextWindow in New Zealand and 10 years with Intel Corporation in the US. Martin has a BBA from the University of Notre Dame and an MBA from Indiana University.
Coenraad Brand Flight Engineer
Coenraad holds a BE in Electronics / BE (Hons), Information Security. With over ten years of experience in developing and delivering products and projects in various information technologies and engineering disciplines, Coenraad specialises in getting systems to communicate effectively with one another, with a focus on integrating a range of technologies to add value and solve problems. He has a great passion for UAV technology, and has played with model aircraft ever since he was a child and has gained a lot of knowledge over the years relevant now to his role as Flight Engineer at Aeronavics.
Linda Bulk General Manager, Director
After a career of 10 years in the ICT industry in various roles, Linda started her own company in 2004 offering team building and personal development programs, optimising team efficiency and facilitating change. In 2008 Linda and her business partner Rob were introduced to aerial robotic technology. They ran a photography/360 virtual environment business with this technology and were taken by the incredible potential. In 2010 Aeronavics (formerly known as Droidworx) was born. Linda is the General Manager with a focus on marketing and sales.Warning statement
It's crucial for you to understand the characteristics and risks of this investment opportunity. New Zealand law normally requires people who offer financial products to provide in-depth information to investors before they invest. The usual rules do not apply to offers by companies through Snowball Effect. As a result, you may not be given all the information you need to make an informed decision. Investing is risky. Some of the key risks include loss of capital, illiquidity, lack of returns, dilution, loss of key people and customers, and lack of control. You should only invest money that you can afford to lose.