Manna Aero, an autonomous drone delivery company based in Ireland, is poised to expand its presence in the United States. Founder and CEO Bobby Healy shared insights about this strategic move.
After raising $50 million in venture capital in April, Manna Aero announced the establishment of a U.S. operations and manufacturing hub in Tulsa, Oklahoma. This facility is expected to create approximately 1,000 jobs over the upcoming years, with construction already in progress. Healy anticipates that manufacturing will commence within a year.
While the facility is being built, the company aims to grow its operations team to between 200 and 300 employees in the next year. Healy mentioned that the pace of hiring will rely on growth in other locations, as Manna is currently evaluating six additional U.S. cities. If everything aligns, the company hopes to start operations in those regions by the end of 2027.
Manna Aero aims to become a significant player in the U.S. drone delivery sector, competing with established firms such as Zipline, Amazon, and Google’s Wing.
Healy explained the rationale behind the U.S. expansion, citing the market potential, consumer behavior, and the effective consolidation of services by companies like DoorDash and Uber Eats. “The United States is the market that everyone desires,” he remarked.
Manna utilizes automated, remotely monitored drones that drop packages using a tether, similar to techniques employed by Wing and Zipline. It operates on a hybrid business model, functioning as a delivery-as-a-service provider that charges per flight while also partnering with companies like DoorDash and Deliveroo in Europe, as well as launching its own consumer-focused app.
Although Manna remains headquartered in Ireland, where it conducts research, administrative, and manufacturing operations, it has recently ceased drone delivery services there due to regulatory challenges hindering scaling efforts.
The company is now focusing its resources in the U.S. and has appointed former Ryanair CMO Kenny Jacobs as its executive chair and president to steer its expansion.
Healy noted that policies from the previous administration and the FAA have significantly supported growth in the industry. “This is leading to substantial investments,” he stated. “Prior to the current regulatory climate, we didn’t have plans for U.S. expansion, but now we are fully committed to investing here.”
Healy cited the success of Amazon, Wing, and Zipline in the past year as indicators of a favorable business environment. “We might be a little behind, but we’ll catch up swiftly,” he added.
Manna is not entirely new to the United States; it began operating in 2023 in the AllianceTexas Mobility Innovation Zone, near Dallas. Healy confirmed that Manna has already made strides in the Dallas-Fort Worth area and plans to further expand its operations there in the next year.
