Draper Associates

Draper Associates is an early-stage venture capital firm based in San Mateo, California, founded in 2015. The firm invests globally in innovative companies across various sectors, including new media, gaming, software as a service, cloud computing, fintech, the Internet of Things, and mobile technology. Draper Associates focuses on supporting teams that are poised to disrupt markets and create substantial economic impact. By backing entrepreneurs, the firm aims to foster transformative technologies that drive growth, job creation, and wealth generation. With a commitment to identifying revolutionary business models, Draper Associates positions its portfolio companies for successful subsequent funding rounds.

Maxime Bucaille

Investor

Megan Kurohara

Investor

Siri Srinivas

Principal and Investment Team

James Walker

Associate Counsel and Investments

Past deals in Drones

Lord of the Trees

Pre Seed Round in 2022
Lord of the Trees is a global reforestation initiative that utilizes precision drone technology to enhance the planting of seeds and restore ecosystems in degraded lands. The organization develops advanced drone systems specifically designed for this purpose, featuring weather-sealed and shock-resistant capabilities. These drones are equipped with sophisticated sensing technology that allows for efficient and effective replanting in deforested areas. By leveraging this innovative approach, Lord of the Trees aims to improve the success rate of replanted regions and contribute to the restoration of vital ecosystems worldwide.

Slingshot Aerospace

Series A in 2022
Slingshot Aerospace, Inc. specializes in developing online tools and platforms that provide geospatial information tailored for the aerospace and defense sectors. The company's offerings include Slingshot Earth, Slingshot Orbital, Slingshot Edge, and Slingshot Imagery, which integrate data streams from satellites, airplanes, drones, and ground-based sensors to deliver actionable insights for various industries, including energy, insurance, military, and emergency management. Founded in 2016 and headquartered in El Segundo, California, with an additional office in Austin, Texas, Slingshot Aerospace aims to enhance mission success for government and commercial space organizations by offering space simulation and analytics solutions. These tools help operators design, manage, and secure their assets while mitigating risks to facilitate safe and reliable operations in complex environments.

Alef Aeronautics

Seed Round in 2021
Alef is a sustainable electric transportation company designing and developing a road-legal passenger vehicle capable of achieving vertical takeoff and forward flight. Alef’s goal is to enable faster, easier commutes and alleviate the burden of urban congestion thanks to proprietary technology that elevates their vehicle safely and quietly above everyday traffic. Alef Aeronautics was established in 2015 by Pavel Markin, Oleg Petrov, Jim Dukhovny, and Constantine Kisly in Santa Clara, California.

Alef Aeronautics

Seed Round in 2021
Alef is a sustainable electric transportation company designing and developing a road-legal passenger vehicle capable of achieving vertical takeoff and forward flight. Alef’s goal is to enable faster, easier commutes and alleviate the burden of urban congestion thanks to proprietary technology that elevates their vehicle safely and quietly above everyday traffic. Alef Aeronautics was established in 2015 by Pavel Markin, Oleg Petrov, Jim Dukhovny, and Constantine Kisly in Santa Clara, California.

Neurala

Venture Round in 2021
Neurala, Inc. specializes in developing deep learning neural network software aimed at enhancing the autonomy of various smart products, including robots, drones, self-driving cars, and intelligent devices. The company's flagship product, the Neurala Brain, enables these devices to learn, recognize, and track objects in real-time, adapting to perform useful tasks in diverse environments. Neurala also offers a suite of solutions such as the Neurala Brains For Bots, a software development kit that integrates with various systems, and Brain Builder, a SaaS platform that facilitates the creation of custom vision AI solutions. Additionally, Neurala Brain Net scans visual data to identify key objects and concepts for businesses, while Roboscope serves as a gaming software for drones. Founded in 2006 and headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, with an office in San Mateo, California, Neurala's innovative approach is rooted in the efficiency of animal brains, allowing its technologies to function effectively in real-time conditions without heavy computational resources.

Alef Aeronautics

Seed Round in 2020
Alef is a sustainable electric transportation company designing and developing a road-legal passenger vehicle capable of achieving vertical takeoff and forward flight. Alef’s goal is to enable faster, easier commutes and alleviate the burden of urban congestion thanks to proprietary technology that elevates their vehicle safely and quietly above everyday traffic. Alef Aeronautics was established in 2015 by Pavel Markin, Oleg Petrov, Jim Dukhovny, and Constantine Kisly in Santa Clara, California.

Near Space Labs

Seed Round in 2018
Near Space Labs, headquartered in the United States, is an aerial imagery and earth observation company that provides comprehensive remote sensing solutions for various sectors. The company's services facilitate the monitoring of assets and enable remote access to both broad and specific areas through cloud-based delivery of fully processed images via an API. Near Space Labs supports a range of industries including insurance, utilities, infrastructure, conservation, smart cities, retail, energy, government, and disaster response. By offering affordable and frictionless imaging, the company assists clients in tracking construction progress, addressing issues such as pipeline leaks and vegetation encroachment, and responding to weather-induced damage, thereby providing actionable geospatial information that enhances mobility, leisure, and urban planning.

Alef Aeronautics

Seed Round in 2018
Alef is a sustainable electric transportation company designing and developing a road-legal passenger vehicle capable of achieving vertical takeoff and forward flight. Alef’s goal is to enable faster, easier commutes and alleviate the burden of urban congestion thanks to proprietary technology that elevates their vehicle safely and quietly above everyday traffic. Alef Aeronautics was established in 2015 by Pavel Markin, Oleg Petrov, Jim Dukhovny, and Constantine Kisly in Santa Clara, California.

Natilus

Seed Round in 2017
Natilus Inc., founded in 2016 and based in San Jose, California, develops innovative aircraft drones for freight forwarding. Co-founded by Aleksey Matyushev and Anatoly Starikov, the company aims to revolutionize the freight transport industry through advanced technology and design, leveraging a team with extensive experience in various aviation sectors. Natilus seeks to reduce air freight costs, making goods more affordable and enhancing global trade by connecting underdeveloped regions. The market for autonomous cargo aircraft is estimated to exceed $280 billion, and Natilus projects that its cost-effective solutions could expand the total addressable market to $470 billion. The company’s drones utilize carbon fiber composites and existing engine technology, allowing for efficient operation with standard air cargo containers. Its product line includes several models tailored for varying ranges and capacities, providing a comprehensive solution for transport and delivery companies.

Gravity

Venture Round in 2017
Gravity Industries Ltd, based in Barnet, United Kingdom, is a pioneering company specializing in human propulsion technology. Founded in 2017 by Richard Browning, the company has developed a revolutionary flight suit that integrates body-mounted miniaturized jet engines with an exoskeletal design. This innovative suit enables pilots to achieve vertical takeoff and flight by utilizing their body weight and arm movements for thrust control. Gravity's technology is aimed at both commercial and entertainment applications, showcasing its potential to reshape the future of human flight and aeronautical innovation. The company is committed to advancing this field through its unique design and engineering capabilities.

Mothership Aeronautics

Seed Round in 2017
Mothership Aeronautics focuses in developing aircraft by combining lighter-than-air lifting technologies with high power density photovoltaics.

Global Energy Transmission

Seed Round in 2017
Global Energy Transmission (GET) specializes in wireless charging technology for commercial-grade drones, allowing them to recharge in-flight without the need to land. The company's GET Air solution features a Ground Station for wireless power transmission and drones equipped with proprietary technologies, including a Wireless Power Receiving system and a Rapid Battery Charging pack. This innovative approach enables drones to hover briefly in designated charging areas, which can be spaced kilometers apart along their flight paths. GET's technology is designed to function effectively under various environmental conditions, making it suitable for long-distance industrial applications. Based in the United States, GET operates a production facility in Queretaro, Mexico.

Alef Aeronautics

Pre Seed Round in 2017
Alef is a sustainable electric transportation company designing and developing a road-legal passenger vehicle capable of achieving vertical takeoff and forward flight. Alef’s goal is to enable faster, easier commutes and alleviate the burden of urban congestion thanks to proprietary technology that elevates their vehicle safely and quietly above everyday traffic. Alef Aeronautics was established in 2015 by Pavel Markin, Oleg Petrov, Jim Dukhovny, and Constantine Kisly in Santa Clara, California.

Mothership Aeronautics

Seed Round in 2017
Mothership Aeronautics focuses in developing aircraft by combining lighter-than-air lifting technologies with high power density photovoltaics.

Neurala

Series A in 2017
Neurala, Inc. specializes in developing deep learning neural network software aimed at enhancing the autonomy of various smart products, including robots, drones, self-driving cars, and intelligent devices. The company's flagship product, the Neurala Brain, enables these devices to learn, recognize, and track objects in real-time, adapting to perform useful tasks in diverse environments. Neurala also offers a suite of solutions such as the Neurala Brains For Bots, a software development kit that integrates with various systems, and Brain Builder, a SaaS platform that facilitates the creation of custom vision AI solutions. Additionally, Neurala Brain Net scans visual data to identify key objects and concepts for businesses, while Roboscope serves as a gaming software for drones. Founded in 2006 and headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, with an office in San Mateo, California, Neurala's innovative approach is rooted in the efficiency of animal brains, allowing its technologies to function effectively in real-time conditions without heavy computational resources.

Natilus

Seed Round in 2016
Natilus Inc., founded in 2016 and based in San Jose, California, develops innovative aircraft drones for freight forwarding. Co-founded by Aleksey Matyushev and Anatoly Starikov, the company aims to revolutionize the freight transport industry through advanced technology and design, leveraging a team with extensive experience in various aviation sectors. Natilus seeks to reduce air freight costs, making goods more affordable and enhancing global trade by connecting underdeveloped regions. The market for autonomous cargo aircraft is estimated to exceed $280 billion, and Natilus projects that its cost-effective solutions could expand the total addressable market to $470 billion. The company’s drones utilize carbon fiber composites and existing engine technology, allowing for efficient operation with standard air cargo containers. Its product line includes several models tailored for varying ranges and capacities, providing a comprehensive solution for transport and delivery companies.

Skyward

Seed Round in 2015
Skyward specializes in providing a comprehensive drone software platform that enhances the efficiency of commercial drone operations. The company offers a cloud-based solution that integrates an interactive airspace map with essential flight planning tools, enabling seamless operations management. Additionally, Skyward provides training and consulting services to ensure that drone pilots adhere to standardized and safe flight procedures. Their software also facilitates effective fleet and crew management, creating a streamlined workflow that connects people, projects, and equipment. By combining these features, Skyward aims to support low-risk flight operations and improve overall operational efficiency for its clients in the drone industry.

Skyward

Seed Round in 2014
Skyward specializes in providing a comprehensive drone software platform that enhances the efficiency of commercial drone operations. The company offers a cloud-based solution that integrates an interactive airspace map with essential flight planning tools, enabling seamless operations management. Additionally, Skyward provides training and consulting services to ensure that drone pilots adhere to standardized and safe flight procedures. Their software also facilitates effective fleet and crew management, creating a streamlined workflow that connects people, projects, and equipment. By combining these features, Skyward aims to support low-risk flight operations and improve overall operational efficiency for its clients in the drone industry.
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