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§ Private Profile · Santa Monica, CA, USA
Provides a UTM platform and airspace software for drone operators and aviation authorities, for safe, compliant flights.
AirMap is a Santa Monica, California-based software company that develops unmanned traffic management platforms and airspace intelligence systems for commercial drone operators, enterprises, and aviation authorities. Prior to its acquisition, the enterprise raised approximately $43 million in venture capital funding to build technology that historically supported over 100,000 registered drone flights per day globally, serving over 85% of the world's commercial drones at its peak. The platform integrates directly with national civil aviation authorities like the FAA and Swiss air navigation service provider Skyguide to issue automated flight authorizations and enforce strict geofencing safety protocols. Backed by prominent corporate investors including Microsoft Ventures and Airbus Ventures, the business operated as an independent entity until it was acquired by drone delivery company DroneUp in December 2021. AirMap was founded in 2015 by Ben Marcus and Gregory McNeal.
AirMap has raised $44.0M across 3 funding rounds.
AirMap has raised $44.0M in total across 3 funding rounds.
AirMap has raised $44.0M in total across 3 funding rounds.
AirMap's investors include Nagraj Kashyap, Bessemer Venture Partners, DNX Ventures, Felicis Ventures, General Catalyst, Lux Capital, Novum Capital Partners, Chris Schaepe, Thomas D'Halluin, Quinn Li, Takashi Toraishi, Sony.
AirMap is a technology company that builds a digital infrastructure platform for unmanned aircraft system (UAS) traffic management (UTM) and U-space solutions, enabling safe and efficient drone operations.[1][4][7] It serves airspace managers, enterprise fleets, drone pilots, civilian governments, defense, security, and enterprises by providing real-time airspace intelligence, mission planning tools, development APIs/SDKs, and workflow automation for sectors like construction, infrastructure inspection, agriculture, public safety, and advanced air mobility (AAM).[1][2][3][4] The platform solves critical problems in drone integration into low-altitude airspace, including regulatory compliance, collision avoidance, and scalable operations amid growing drone adoption, with strong growth evidenced by $80.16M raised, key acquisitions like Hangar Technology in 2021, and partnerships with DJI, NASA, and the U.S. Department of Transportation before its acquisition by DroneUp in December 2021.[1][3][5]
AirMap was founded in 2014 (with some sources noting 2015) by co-founder and Chairman Ben Marcus, emerging from the need for digital tools to manage the influx of drones into shared airspace.[1][2][5][7] Headquartered initially in Santa Monica or Los Angeles, California, and later associated with Virginia Beach, Virginia, the company quickly gained traction through collaborations with regulators, air navigation providers, and industry leaders like DJI and Intel.[2][5][6][7] Pivotal moments include building a global partner network claiming use by 80% of the non-military drone market, acquiring Hangar Technology in an undisclosed deal to bolster enterprise workflow automation (e.g., JobSight for construction and TowerSight for inspections), and its own acquisition by DroneUp in December 2021, marking a shift to subsidiary status under the parent company.[1][3][5][6]
AirMap rides the explosive growth of the drone economy, projected to hit $43 billion globally by 2025, by inserting digital infrastructure into traditional air traffic management for low-altitude UAS integration.[2][5] Its timing aligns with surging demand for beyond-visual-line-of-sight (BVLOS) operations, regulatory advancements like FAA UTM frameworks, and enterprise adoption in inspection, agriculture, and delivery amid labor shortages and efficiency needs.[1][4] Market forces favoring AirMap include rising drone fleets, AI/sensor fusion advancements, and urban air mobility trends, positioning it to influence ecosystem standards through developer communities and partnerships that promote safe scaling.[2][3][7]
As a DroneUp subsidiary, AirMap is poised to expand its UTM and automation tools globally, leveraging parent resources for BVLOS certifications, AAM infrastructure, and integrations with emerging autonomy tech.[1][6] Trends like AI-enhanced airspace analytics, 5G-enabled drone swarms, and regulatory harmonization will propel its growth, potentially evolving its influence from U.S.-centric provider to dominant player in international drone corridors. This builds on its foundational role in unlocking scalable drone flights, sustaining momentum in a skies-transformed economy.[3][4][5]
AirMap has raised $44.0M across 3 funding rounds. Most recently, it raised $26.0M Series B in February 2017.
| Date | Round | Lead Investors | Other Investors | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 1, 2017 | $26M Series B | Nagraj Kashyap | Bessemer Venture Partners, DNX Ventures, Felicis Ventures, General Catalyst, LUX Capital, Novum Capital Partners, Chris Schaepe, Thomas D'halluin, Quinn LI, Takashi Toraishi, Sony, Yuneec | Announced |
| Apr 1, 2016 | $15M Series A | General Catalyst | Bessemer Venture Partners, DNX Ventures, Felicis Ventures, LUX Capital, Starbridge Venture Capital, Chris Schaepe, SKY Dayton, Thomas Lehrman, Bullpen Capital, Pritzker Group, Social Capital, TenOneTen Ventures | Announced |
| Jul 1, 2015 | $3M Seed | — | Bessemer Venture Partners, Craft Ventures, DNX Ventures, Felicis Ventures, LUX Capital, DON Dodge | Announced |