Dronedek

DRONEDEK makes “smart” mailboxes that provide safe storage for delivered packages.

Its patented delivery receptacles have climate-controlled technology, and an array of security features that keep packages safe from weather, animals, and thieves.

These mailboxes can be used to ship or receive items sent by drones, robots, autonomous vehicles, or conventional delivery systems.

Every day, 100 million items are purchased online. Niney-one million of them are five pounds or less, making them “drone deliverable.”

Drone delivery is one of the fastest-growing segments in the logistics industry. In August 2020, Amazon received clearance from the Federal Aviation Administration to deliver packages using unmanned aerial vehicles. And last December, the FAA established new rules for drones used in package delivery.

Said an FAA administrator at the time, “The new rules make way for the further integration of drones into our airspace by addressing safety and security concerns. They get us closer to the day when we will more routinely see drone operations such as the delivery of packages.”

The benefits to drone delivery are numerous. Using drones can reduce delivery costs as much as one billion dollars every eleven days. These airborne vehicles will also reduce traffic congestion and greenhouse gas emissions.

This is an exciting opportunity. But it’s potentially problematic. Nearly two million packages are stolen in the U.S. every day. And as autonomous and drone delivery becomes more common, this number is sure to increase.

The bottom line: there is a need for smart, secure package delivery and storage. DRONEDEK can provide this need.

As mentioned, its mailboxes can store items intended to be shipped or received — either through robotic delivery, aerial drone delivery, or conventional delivery.

Its features make it the most advanced delivery receptacle on the market. These include a motorized door, cushioned platform to prevent package damage, lowering platform for increased package capacity, climate-controlled environment, letter slot for traditional mail, and UV disinfection.

Mailboxes can communicate with drones using GPS sensors and Bluetooth technology. And security features include a mounted camera and passcode/key fab access.

The potential for DRONEDEK’s mailbox goes beyond packages from Amazon or FedEx. More than 600 million items are delivered every day — from food and drinks to prescription drugs. DRONEDEK can safely store all of these.

The idea for DRONEDEK stems from a 2014 business meeting taken by the company’s Founder, Dan O’Toole. Dan was returning home and his path took him down a rural two-lane road. As he drove, he saw a drone flying beside him, and began to wonder how it could carry a package straight to a person’s door safely and efficiently.

Soon after, Dan filed for a patent for a safe, secure delivery box, and received the first utility patents for secured drone delivery storage.

This turned out to be a game-changing decision. It turns out, DRONEDEK beat out Amazon — which had also filed for the patent — by just nine days. And it beat the U.S. Postal Service by two weeks.

Dan’s initiative now has DRONEDEK in excellent position in the drone delivery market. Not only could this startup collaborate with these companies, but it could also become a sensible acquisition.

DRONEDEK has developed the first version of its receptacle and will use funds from this round to continue development on a second version.

In August 2022, the company launched Phase 1 of its first pilot program alongside the city of Lawrence, Indiana. This launch included the world’s first delivery of first-class mail by a traditional ground carrier to a Droned smart mailbox.

Once on the market, customers will be able to rent the mailboxes and have them installed at their homes or offices. The cost to rent will be ten dollars per month, and will include access to DRONEDEK’s mobile platform. DRONEDEK will aim to generate additional revenue from monetizing customer data collected via package deliveries, and fees from licensing its mailboxes to future customers.

Team Background

Mark Hamm - Chief Operating Officer

Mark has extensive domain experience in key fields like logistics, marketing, and retail.

Prior to joining Dronedek, he was co-founder of Perimeter Aero, a company using unmanned aerial vehicles to enable autonomous safety and security practices. Before that, he co-founded ProofPort, a software-as-a-service business.

Notably, he spent four years as Vice President of Innovation with FedEx. He also served as Chief Technology Officer with dotLogix, a supply-chain and order-management company.

Earlier in his career, Mark was Vice President of IT with AutoZone, an auto-parts retailer. Before that, he was a software developer for Accel Partners, a venture-capital firm.

He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from Rutgers University and an MBA from Northwestern.

Neerav Shah - Chief Strategy Officer

Neerav has extensive experience working with drones. He co-founded Aerotronic, a company designing and building unmanned aerial vehicles. This company was backed by TechStars, a prominent accelerator for startups.

Before that, he was a principal with PRN Associates, an aviation and aerospace company, and prior to that was a sourcing manager with Kaiser Permanente, a healthcare company.

Earlier, Neerav spent four years as a program manager with Sun Microsystems, a computer manufacturing company. Prior to that, he was a manager with Telamon, a telecommunications company.

He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from the London School of Economics and an MBA from Purdue.

Daniel O'Toole - Founder & CEO

Dan is a serial entrepreneur who boasts three previous successful exits.

Prior to starting Dronedek, he was CEO of Striker Realty group, a real-estate agency. Before that, he spent thirteen years as CEO of Facility Maintenance, a provider of commercial-maintenance services nationwide.

He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing and Public Relations from Ball State University.

Co-Investors