Portugal
Connect Robotics, founded in 2015 and headquartered in Portugal, specializes in using drones for transport systems, with a current focus on the health industry. Their solutions target the transportation of medicines and biological substances, emphasizing swift and reliable service as echoed in their slogan: "On-demand and fast transportation where it matters."
A notable player within the drone logistics space, Connect Robotics boasts several key milestones. The company debuted its technology with a food delivery demonstration in December 2016 in Portugal. It was granted the first ANAC authorization for BVLOS flights in January 2017 and executed its initial BVLOS delivery in Lisbon by May 2017.
The startup has been reinforced by memberships in prestigious programs such as MIT Portugal BGI, European Space Agency's Business Incubation Centre (ESA BIC), and Carnegie Mellon Portugal inRes. These affiliations illustrate its strong positioning in tech innovation. The company's transition to regular operations began with a contract with Farmácia da Lajeosa, supported by grants from the ESA SPARK program and PT2020.
Recognized with the João Cordeiro Innovation award from the Portuguese national pharmacies association, and backed by a Support Program investment from EIT Urban Mobility in January 2023, Connect Robotics holds promising potential for future growth in the drone logistics sector, particularly within the health industry.
