Donecle Secures €10 Million Funding to Enhance Drone Aircraft Inspection Services
Donecle Secures €10 Million Funding for International Expansion
Donecle, a company based in France that specializes in automated aircraft inspection, has successfully raised €10 million in a recent funding round. The investment was led by IRDI Capital Investissement and SWEN Capital Partners, with additional participation from GSO Innovation and ARIS Occitanie.
The funds will be utilized to support Donecle’s international growth and to further develop its drone and AI-driven inspection technology, with a particular focus on expanding operations in Europe and the United States.
Innovative Aircraft Inspection Technology
Founded in 2015 in Toulouse, Donecle has developed systems that leverage autonomous drones and artificial intelligence to conduct aircraft inspections. The company’s goal is to replace traditional manual inspection processes that are still prevalent in the aviation industry.
Donecle’s technology integrates drone flight, high-resolution imaging, and AI analysis, enabling inspections to be completed significantly faster than conventional methods. Key benefits of this approach include:
- Increased speed of inspections, up to 10 times faster than traditional methods.
- Enhanced consistency and traceability of inspection data.
- Support for maintenance planning and compliance through data storage and review.
Additionally, Donecle is developing a software layer that transforms inspection data into actionable insights, which is expected to integrate with maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) systems for improved predictive maintenance strategies.
Global Operations and Certifications
Donecle has steadily expanded its operations and currently operates over 40 drones across 15 countries. The company’s solutions have received certifications from major aviation authorities, including Airbus, Boeing, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). These certifications enable Donecle to collaborate with commercial airlines and global fleets.
Notable customers include major airlines and military operators such as United, LATAM, DHL, Lufthansa, the French Air Force, and the Royal Air Force. The new funding will facilitate further expansion into commercial aviation markets, as well as growth in the company’s workforce and potential partnerships or acquisitions.
Addressing Industry Challenges
The aviation sector is under continuous pressure to enhance efficiency and reduce operational costs, while also facing a shortage of skilled labor. Automated inspection systems, such as those developed by Donecle, provide a solution to these challenges by minimizing manual labor and enabling quicker aircraft maintenance.
Benjamin Lillo, Investment Director at IRDI Capital Investissement, emphasized the importance of digitalizing maintenance operations in light of the labor shortage, stating that Donecle’s technology offers a concrete solution by combining digital inspections with structured data management.
Environmental Impact and Future Growth
Donecle’s technology is also positioned as a means to reduce environmental impact, as traditional aircraft inspections often rely on diesel-powered equipment. The company estimates that its operations have already contributed to significant CO2 savings.
Faster inspection processes can lead to reduced aircraft downtime, which in turn decreases the need for spare aircraft and minimizes demand for hangar space.
Matthieu Claybrough, co-founder and CEO of Donecle, views the funding as a crucial step toward scaling both technology and market presence. He noted that the support from new investors will be instrumental in advancing Donecle’s position in the market and enhancing its technology.
As aviation operators increasingly seek efficient and reliable inspection methods, drone-based solutions like Donecle’s are transitioning from early adoption to widespread implementation.