DroneHopper

What DroneHopper does

DroneHopper (legal entity DRONE HOPPER S.L.U.) is a Spanish aeronautical consulting and R&D advisory firm headquartered in Las Rozas de Madrid that specializes in unmanned aerial systems (UAS). The company designs proprietary drone platform concepts spanning medium-capacity (Quad Hopper, 100 kg MTOW / 20 kg payload), heavy-lift delivery (Duty Hopper, 400 kg MTOW / 200 kg payload), high-capacity firefighting (WILD HOPPER, 1,200 kg MTOW / 600 kg payload hybrid propulsion, 90-150 minutes autonomy), and industrial load handling studies (CRANE HOPPER, WILD HOPPER v1/v2). Underlying technology covers autonomous flight architecture, BVLOS-compliant mission design, sensor/data pipeline integration, and European regulatory compliance (including U-space).

The business model is primarily professional services: UAS R&D consulting delivered on quote-based, multi-year engagements, combined with grant-funded consortium participation. Go-to-market is sales-led and direct — enterprise and public-sector buyers initiate via phone (620 550 231), email ([email protected]), or website contact form. Revenue streams layer advisory services (BVLOS compliance, autonomous flight architecture, data capture consulting, cost optimization) with EU/CDTI-funded R&D participation in four named consortia: EXTINCIA (autonomous firefighting UAS with AI), ULTRADRON (logistics propulsion), FASTER (emergency UAS operations), and WILDHOPPER (high-capacity firefighting platform). Customer segments served span security/surveillance, transport and logistics, firefighting/emergency response, and agricultural fumigation/monitoring. Operating geographies are Spain-primary with European project reach; non-dilutive grant funding to date totals approximately $3 million (EISMEA 2017, unknown 2019, European Commission 2019), with no disclosed equity investors.

Name

DroneHopper

Legal name

DRONE HOPPER S.L.U.

Website

https://drone-hopper.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

DroneHopper is a Spanish aeronautical consulting and R&D advisory firm specializing in unmanned aerial systems, providing BVLOS compliance, autonomous flight architecture, and data-capture consulting to enterprises and public institutions, alongside proprietary drone platforms (WILD HOPPER, Quad Hopper, Duty Hopper) and EU consortium participation in firefighting and logistics projects.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Unmanned Aerial Systems Consulting

NAICS

Aircraft Manufacturing (336411)

SIC

Aircraft Parts & Auxiliary Equipment, Nec (3728)

akta.pro primary industry

Aerial Robotics (Drones & UAV Autonomy) (HDAAAIAG)

akta.pro secondary industry

Fixed-Wing Unmanned Aircraft (UAV) (IMABAIAB)

Keywords

• Unmanned aerial systems
• Aerospace consulting services
• UAS design and manufacturing
• BVLOS regulatory advisory
• Drone R&D consulting

Headquarters

HQ city

Leganés

HQ country

Spain

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Aerospace Advisory and Consulting Services: R&D consulting and technical advisory services for unmanned aerial systems, accompanying companies from conceptualization to validation phases with high-level technical guidance.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

DroneHopper provides specialized R&D advisory and consulting services for unmanned aerial systems (UAS), supporting companies from conceptualization through validation phases. The company designs proprietary drone platforms including high-capacity firefighting (WILD HOPPER), medium-capacity inspection/logistics (QUAD HOPPER), heavy-lift autonomous delivery (DUTY HOPPER), and industrial load handling (CRANE HOPPER) architectures. Services also cover BVLOS regulatory compliance with European aviation standards, autonomous flight architecture design, sensor and data-pipeline consulting, and cost optimization for UAS programs.

Product overview

DroneHopper is a specialized aviation consulting and R&D advisory firm focused on unmanned aerial systems (UAS). The company offers a portfolio of proprietary drone platforms—including Quad Hopper (medium-capacity inspection/logistics), Duty Hopper (heavy-lift autonomous delivery), WILD HOPPER (high-capacity firefighting with hybrid propulsion), and CRANE HOPPER (industrial load handling concept)—alongside advisory services covering BVLOS operations, data capture and management, autonomous flight architecture, and cost optimization. The portfolio also includes concept studies (WILD HOPPER v1/v2) developed through European R&D projects, with flight autonomies ranging from 90 to 150 minutes depending on model and payload.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• WILD HOPPER: High-capacity multi-rotor UAS platform designed for firefighting support with modular architecture and hybrid propulsion, capable of 1,200 kg max takeoff weight and 600 kg payload.
• QUAD HOPPER
• DUTY HOPPER

Products and services

• Quad Hopper Medium-capacity multi-rotor drone platform designed for inspection, control, and logistics operations, capable of up to 100 kg maximum takeoff weight with 20 kg payload capacity and a constant-speed rotor system for reliability.
• Duty Hopper Heavy-lift autonomous delivery drone platform optimized for operations in difficult-access areas, with up to 400 kg maximum takeoff weight, 200 kg payload capacity, triple-redundant system, and modular cargo spring.
• WILD HOPPER High-capacity multi-rotor UAS platform with hybrid propulsion and modular architecture designed for firefighting support and demanding missions, offering up to 1,200 kg maximum takeoff weight, 600 kg payload capacity, and flight autonomy of 90-150 minutes depending on payload.
• CRANE HOPPER Conceptual architecture study for high-capacity drones with shrouded propellers, designed for load handling and industrial logistics operations with stable control and repeatable safe operation.
• WILD HOPPER v1 Conceptual study of high-capacity drone architecture with shrouded propellers for firefighting applications, serving as the foundation for subsequent iterations and validation of the WILD HOPPER platform line.
• WILD HOPPER v2 Evolved conceptual iteration of the high-capacity firefighting drone architecture with shrouded propellers, focused on performance, stability, safety, and mission-critical operations.
• BVLOS Operations Advisory Specialized consulting service guiding clients through European regulatory compliance for Beyond Visual Line of Sight operations, including technical documentation and evidence requirements for each operational scenario.
• Data Capture and Management Consulting Advisory service covering sensor selection, integration, and pipeline design to transform technical information into real operational value for UAS deployments.
• Autonomous Flight Consulting Technical advisory for defining mission architectures, contingencies, and safe return systems to reduce friction and scale autonomous UAS operations with operational guarantees.
• Cost Optimization Consulting Advisory service analyzing cost structures and recommending automation and efficient integration to reduce investment and operational expenditure for UAS programs.

Quantifiable outcome

• Flight autonomy ranging from 90 to 150 minutes depending on model and payload

Named customers1 record

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• EXTINCIA Consortium (Clue, Aeromedia, Bastan, TPZ, Helion)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024CDTI-funded project developing autonomous firefighting system using small electric UAVs with AI, coordination with manned aircraft, and advanced air traffic management (U-space). DroneHopper participates as part of consortium led by ITG.
• ULTRADRON ConsortiumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEuropean consortium focused on evolutive leap in enabling technologies for air logistics units: carbon footprint reduction, alternative propulsion research, and intelligent systems for complete logistics cycle automation including port-to-ship use cases.
• FASTER Project ConsortiumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProject aimed at improving operational capabilities with UAS in emergency scenarios, with trained pilots and coordinated operation among technological partners.
• WILDHOPPER (EU) ConsortiumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEuropean initiative focused on high-capacity multirotor UAS for firefighting support, with large payload platform designed for demanding missions and complementary to traditional manned aircraft.
• ITG (Technological Institute of Galicia)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborator in EXTINCIA project. ITG serves as the collaborating entity in the CDTI-funded firefighting UAV initiative involving DroneHopper.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Thales: Global aerospace and defense prime with significant UAS, air traffic management, and U-space programs in Europe. Operates broadly across multiple aviation segments and is a potential customer, partner, or competitor to DroneHopper's advisory and platform work.
• Parrot: Listed French drone manufacturer serving defense and commercial markets with a broad UAS portfolio. Comparable as a European multi-rotor UAS designer with regulatory expertise, but operates at significantly larger scale across many product lines.
• DJI: Global drone giant dominating commercial and consumer UAS markets. While not focused on heavy-lift firefighting, it is the de facto benchmark for UAS scale and pricing pressure across the categories DroneHopper targets.
• Airbus Helicopters (UAS programs): Division of Airbus developing manned-unmanned teaming, hybrid platforms, and UAV systems in Europe. Overlaps with DroneHopper's firefighting, BVLOS, and U-space-related work, but operates inside a far larger aerospace group.

Direct peers

• Skydio: US-based drone autonomy leader for industrial, public safety, and defense inspection. Comparable through shared emphasis on autonomy and BVLOS, though Skydio operates at much greater scale and capital intensity.
• Quantum Systems: German UAS manufacturer focused on multi-rotor and VTOL platforms for defense, security, and commercial surveying. Closely comparable to DroneHopper as a mid-sized European UAS designer with strong R&D, government customers, and EU funding exposure.
• Wingcopter: German heavy-lift delivery drone company building autonomous eVTOL aircraft for medical logistics and cargo. Highly comparable to DroneHopper's DUTY HOPPER and CRANE HOPPER heavy-lift logistics positioning.
• senseFly (AgEagle): Swiss-based fixed-wing and rotary UAS maker focused on mapping, surveying, and inspection. Comparable as a European mid-sized drone OEM with R&D depth and similar target customers in inspection and surveying.

Emerging players

• EHang: Chinese autonomous aerial vehicle company targeting passenger and cargo UAM. Comparably positioned around autonomous multi-rotor architectures and cargo niches, though oriented toward urban air mobility rather than firefighting.
• Everdrone: Swedish autonomous drone company operating medical and logistics delivery in Europe with strong EU regulatory engagement. Comparable as a niche European UAS operator gaining BVLOS approvals, though not a manufacturer.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@DroneHopper
• Xx.com/DroneHopper
• Facebookfacebook.com/DroneHopper

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds3 records

Investors2 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about DroneHopper