Rewe Group invests millions in drones from Wingcopter

Will we soon be getting our groceries delivered by airmail? This is the impression given by the latest investment by supermarket giant Rewe. This is because the latter is taking part in a million-euro investment in drone manufacturer Wingcopter, which wants to produce special delivery drones.

Investment of 39.8 million euros

Wingcopter, a promising young German startup, currently seems to be attracting the interest of many well-known investors. As a result, several companies, some of them large, have joined forces and pooled an investment sum of a whopping 39.8 million euros. This has publicly declared the drone startup on Tuesday, 21.06.22. Also on board is the Rewe Group, which we actually know as a big fish in the German supermarket sector. In addition, there are other large groups such as “Itochu” from Japan. In view of such a high investment sum, the question naturally arises as to the company valuation that Wingcopter can demonstrate.

However, the startup does not want to comment on this (yet). However, according to Business Insider, rumors are already circulating in the startup scene that the value of the young company is said to have increased by almost two-thirds in the last few months alone. Given the high rush the startup is experiencing right now in the form of willing investors, there may well be something to this. After all, one rarely hears of financing rounds in which willing investors receive a rejection from the borrower. Further backers, however, are expressly desired. According to Tom Plümmer, CEO of Wingcopter, these can come to the train in the next financing round.

Food delivery soon by drones from Wingcopter?

Of course, the question arises why Rewe Group, of all companies, with its thousands of stores, is investing in Wingcopter. Is it daring to take the next big step in food delivery? This could be quite understandable. While Rewe’s truck delivery business is thriving, the competition is not sleeping. Startups like Flink, Gorillas or Gerit are becoming more popular and are setting themselves up more broadly. Their big advantage: they can deliver the desired products within minutes. The Rewe online supermarket, on the other hand, is not quite as fast. In terms of speed, drone delivery could set new standards. After all, it is not without reason that the small flying objects are currently still primarily used for urgent deliveries in the medical sector.

As recently as January, we reported how a drone was able to save a human life in Sweden by delivering a defibrillator. Amazon currently wants to prove in the U.S. to what extent drones could represent the future of product deliveries. In a model project, the online shipping giant is currently testing its drone delivery in the “Amazon Prime Air” model in California. But whether Rewe really wants to use Wingcopter’s drones itself or has simply sensed an opportunity for a good investment is currently uncertain. Rewe itself justifies its investment by saying that it sees Wingcopter as an innovative company.

New money for new developments at Wingcopter

But what is the gigantic investment sum now supposed to flow into? Wingcopter itself wants to spend it not only on research into new products. On top of that, the startup wants to perfect the functions of its existing drones even further and expand them with new ones. To be able to achieve these goals at all, a larger workforce is needed. For this reason, the number of employees is to grow from the current 120 to a total of 200. With more employees in the luggage the global triumphal procession should finally be started. Wingcopter is sure to find many companies, especially in the USA, that need suitable delivery drones. The German startup has already obtained the necessary approval from the relevant aviation authority in the USA.

Drone with the “Made in Germany” seal of approval

It is questionable whether Wingcopter will be able to keep its “Made in Germany” seal in the long run as production numbers increase. After all, the current drone factory in Hesse is already reaching its limits. A renewal of the manufacturing process is intended to ensure a leap in production. For example, the company wants to further automate the corresponding process in order to be able to manufacture the coveted flying objects even faster.

And that’s going to be necessary. After all, the startup has already signed several contracts with interested parties who are desperately waiting for their drones. For a logistics network in Africa alone, 12,000 drones are to be used. And that’s just one client. Companies in Japan and South America are also chomping at the bit to finally make air deliveries possible.

Exciting Combo Drone

To understand why Wingcopter’s drone is so sought after, you have to take a closer look. The startup relies on an exciting combo design for its Wingcopter 198, which combines two different types of drones.

Firstly, this is a multicopter. The design with multiple propellers and eight electric motors not only ensures a top speed of a proud 144 km/h. On top of that, it makes the drone exceedingly maneuverable. The multicopter design combines Wingcopter with the idea of an area drone.

This makes the drone a real transport wonder, said to be able to carry a weight of up to 5 kg easily for more than 75 km. Although the Wingcopter 198 is said to be able to fly autonomously, control stations on the ground are available for interventions.