Speedbird Aero Secures US$ 1M from iFood to Expand Drone Deliveries in Brazil

iFood has reinforced its commitment to logistics innovation with a US$1 million investment in Brazilian drone manufacturer Speedbird Aero, deepening a partnership that began in 2021 and accelerating the expansion of aerial delivery routes in the country.

The new capital injection complements Speedbird’s Series A round, launched in 2021, when the company raised US$5.7 million from investors including Lince Capital, Explorer, Cedrus, AcNext, DGF and MSW, the corporate venture arm of Embraer.

From pilot to 2,000 completed drone deliveries

Speedbird has been operating alongside iFood since 2021. Its most emblematic pilot connects RioMar Shopping, in Aracaju, to the Barra dos Coqueiros condominium, crossing the Sergipe River on a four-kilometer aerial route completed in just three minutes.

By comparison, the same journey by road requires an 18-kilometer trip and takes approximately 30 minutes.

Since October, after obtaining a permanent license from Agência Nacional de Aviação Civil (Anac) to conduct remotely piloted flights over populated areas carrying loads of up to five kilograms, the operation has reached 2,000 completed trips.

Under the current model, drones are deployed to cover complex or hard-to-access segments, while the last mile remains in the hands of traditional delivery couriers. The strategy aims to reduce delivery times and operational costs without replacing human riders.

With the new funding, Speedbird plans to replicate the same framework in Brazil’s largest metropolitan area, opening new routes in the São Paulo region.

Speedbird’s manufacturing expansion and global footprint

Founded in 2018, Speedbird Aero designs and manufactures drones in Brazil for sectors such as retail and healthcare. The company currently serves five domestic clients, including Fleury, and maintains contracts in 14 countries, among them Singapore, England, Israel and Italy. It is also preparing to expand into the United States.

As part of its growth strategy, Speedbird is inaugurating a new manufacturing plant in Jacareí, where it will produce a third aircraft model.

Preparing for Series B as iFood strengthens its ecosystem

The startup is now preparing a Series B round later this year, with a focus on attracting international investors.

For iFood, controlled by Prosus, the investment adds to a broader portfolio of strategic bets, including Shopper, CRMBonus and Advolve. The move reinforces the company’s technology ecosystem and strengthens its logistics capabilities across Latin America.