Airware and DJI/Accel launch completely separate investment funds for developing commercial drones

Two of the top drone companies are now launching completely separate investment funds meant to be used for the further development of commercial drones. Airware launches Commercial Drone Fund for drone OS while DJI/Accel launches SkyFund to seal their dominance over the industry.

Starting off with Airware, the company known for making drone operating systems, is now launching the Commercial Drone Fund. The new fund will be investing anywhere from $250,000 up to $1 million in other drone startups working on developing components or other aspects of technology related to the industry.

The Commercial Drone Fund has already begun its range of activities, with two startups, RedBird and Sky-Futures serving as the earliest recipients of funds from the company, according to The Verge. RedBird works on drone data processing whole Sky-Futures is in the business of manufacturing sensors which can be used keeping tabs on oil and gas infrastructure.

Over time, the Commercial Drone Fund is expected to focus on the development of drone-related technology in areas such as cloud-based aerial data analysis tools, complete solutions for specific industries, drone-based services, sensor hardware, and sensor applications, according to Tech Crunch.

DJI/Accel is launching SkyFund, the investment fund the company hopes will help elevate them into the status of being the premiere name in the industry.

DJI and Accel are actually separate companies, but they have joined forces in the pursuit of further improving the drone industry. SkyFund is expected to help improve the relationship between the two companies even more, according to Forbes.

SkyFund will be used to send funds of around $250,000 to different early stage startups. If the company likes how their initial investment has turned out, they can then pour in more company to their new partner.

The two prominent drone-based companies are now positioning themselves to be the dominant names in the industry going forward. By increasing their reach through way of investment funds, the two companies can seek, discover, and even have a hand in owning any new breakthroughs that may emerge from the industry.