Cloudline Secures $6 Million Funding for Green and Mainstream Aerial Autonomy
Cloudline, a South African aerospace startup, has successfully raised $6 million in funding to propel its vision of leading the global frontiers of carbon emissions-free autonomous flight.
In a recent seed round, philanthropic venture Schmidt Futures, founded by former Google CEO Eric Schmidt and Wendy Schmidt, joined other notable backers such as the Raba Partnership, Verod-Kepple Africa Ventures, 4Di, and various venture firms.
Founded by Spencer Horne six years ago, Cloudline aims to establish a transport system connecting isolated communities to the global supply chain through the delivery of large payloads using lighter-than-air uncrewed aerial vehicles.
Horne’s inspiration for this ambitious project stems from a childhood fascination with trains and a broader passion for transportation technology. Despite facing challenges in pursuing aeronautical studies in the U.S., Horne, a Harvard alum, returned to South Africa to contribute to the field.
After spending two years at McKinsey, gaining valuable insights into the diverse challenges faced by African communities, Horne founded Cloudline in 2019 at the intersection of technology, transportation, and community outcomes.
The startup has developed autonomous airships designed for cost-efficient long-distance real-time data capture, providing an alternative to drones, helicopters, and satellites. Powered by helium gas and solar energy with a battery backup, Cloudline’s airships boast zero emissions and significantly reduced operating costs, covering over 400 km with a fully loaded payload of 40 kg and operating for 10 hours.
Cloudline has identified specific applications, including mapping, monitoring, and public safety, where its airships offer unique advantages. The startup operates in a relatively uncompetitive market due to its focus on hardware, with a strong first-mover advantage.
Horne emphasizes the significance of integrating software with hardware, particularly in creating autonomy for airships, as Cloudline’s most robust intellectual property. The startup’s beachhead strategy involves developing solutions in Africa for the continent as its initial customer base and leveraging these use cases to enter the global market.
Despite being a six-year-old aerospace startup, Cloudline has gained traction among customers, with revenue increasing fourfold in 2023. The company is actively working on expanding into neighboring countries before targeting global markets.
George Rzepecki, founder and CEO of Raba Partnership, expressed excitement about backing Horne, who has assembled top engineering and product talent, building a category-leading company in the autonomous aerial infrastructure space.
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