Drone Innovator Aeronavics Offers Investment Opportunity

Drone Innovator Aeronavics Offers Investment Opportunity Through Equity Crowdfunding

Press Release Embargoed Until 6pm Thursday 12 February 2015

Aeronavics, a world-leading designer and manufacturer of remotely piloted aerial systems (RPAS), has set a $750,000 funding target for its equity crowdfunding offer which launches to the public today.

The Waikato-based company is looking to raise up to a maximum of $1.5 million with a maximum equity position of 15%. The minimum investment is $1,000 (cost per share $1) and the offer ends on 14 March unless fully subscribed earlier (insert link to offer).

The online equity crowdfunding platform, Snowball Effect, is licensed under the new Financial Markets Conduct Act, which came into effect on 1 April last year, providing a regime where a New Zealand company can raise a maximum of $2 million by offering shares to the public through a licensed provider.

Aeronavics, which has a current company valuation of $8.5 million, plans to build a fast growing, profitable $50-100m revenue company in the next 5-7 years. In order to deliver this growth, Aeronavics requires funds for ongoing R&D, tooling and production line equipment, personnel and working capital.

At the $750,000 target, the funding will be used for the completion of tooling and moulds for Aeronavics’ new line of Turn-Key RPAS, for marketing, for formalizing contracts with selected distribution outlets, for manufacturing RPAS to send out for evaluation to potential high-value domestic and international clients and for selecting additions to the existing core team.

“If we raise more than $750,000, we will build the team and progress toward our revenue and growth targets faster. We would also develop products in our R&D pipeline at an earlier stage, further increasing our competitive edge and widening our range of solutions as well as increasing and streamlining our production capabilities,” says Linda Bulk, general manager and director of Aeronavics.

“This is an exceptional and unique opportunity for New Zealanders to invest in a company that is already playing on the world stage, has a solid reputation globally and boasts more than $5 million in sales to date. Aeronavics is a leader in an industry that is set to be a rapidly expanding multi billion dollar market,” said Bulk who is a member of the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle New Zealand (UAVNZ) start-up group.

“We chose equity crowdfunding as it offers the general public the opportunity to invest in a dynamic New Zealand company at the forefront of the global drone revolution. It's also an efficient way to raise capital, and a good opportunity to raise the profile of our brand.” she said.

Snowball Effect’s Shaun Edlin reports “We’re thrilled to facilitate an opportunity for the New Zealand public to invest in such a rapidly growing industry. For Aeronavics, we see this as an opportunity for the company to propel it’s status within New Zealand, and take on a supportive shareholder base who will act as brand ambassadors, spreading word of the company and helping Aeronavics reach new markets.”

AERIAL ROBOTICS – THE NEXT “BIG THING”

Aeronavics launched its first product in 2010, and targets the professional / industrial segments of the $11 billion US and growing global RPAS market. Aeronavics has been able to secure premier international clients such as NASA, Disney and Dreamworks with its best in class products across a range of different applications, delivering long flight times, high payload capabilities, and smooth vibration-free performance complemented by a range of sensors.

RPAS, or drones, enable new and exciting opportunities to improve performance, increase safety and reduce cost across a variety of industries from motion picture filming through to emergency services, farming and forestry.

According to Frost & Sullivan the global Drone market will be over US$22 billion by 2020, with over 25% in the commercial (professional / industrial) space where Aeronavics operates.

Historically, Aeronavics shipped airframes under its Droidworx brand, allowing end-users and distribution partners to innovate on its platform. This focus has shifted and Aeronavics now markets its branded products in key vertical applications, collaborating with existing channel partners, sensor vendors and others to create and deliver complete vertical application solutions.

Aerial Robotics or Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, are already proving to be ‘the next big thing’ comparable to the personal computer 40 years ago. There are countless applications in a wide array of industries to help save time and money, increase safety, offer peace of mind and expand creative perspectives. Systems are easy to use, affordable, quiet and environmentally friendly; more great reasons to adopt this technology.

Aeronavics offers: • Turn-Key Drone Solutions - Service & Maintenance • Upgrades • Customised Aerial System Solutions • Flight Time of 1 Hour+ • 7.5 KG Payload Capability Standard, Up To 20 kg Custom • Mission Control Ground Stations • Live feed from UAV On-board Camera • Fully Autonomous Flight Mode • Remote Camera Control • Customised Transport Cases • Flight Training / Workshops • Demonstrations • On-site Support • Aerial Services / Proof Of Concept

Cost effective, saving time and reducing risk to human lives – industrial applications are expanding for this technology and Aeronavics are developing specialized craft for these; an ideal tool for mapping, planning and progress monitoring.

As one of the first companies active in this industry Aeronavics has a considerable and trustworthy trade track record and reputation, known for its high quality products and genuine customer support. Building brand presence and awareness is an important part of Aeronavics’ strategy. The Company has a solid footing on which to build further and as this technology is only just in the beginning of its life cycle.

Aeronavics are closely involved with research institutes, industry branch organizations and government networks and are also part of the UAVNZ start up group, which has been formed to optimize UAV development and to provide information to the Civil Aviation Authority to help formulate and refine regulation and certification requirements for this technology ensuring safe use for operators, public and property.

PRODUCT OVERVIEW – WHO IS AERONAVICS?

Aeronavics produces professional and industrial RPAS (or drone) solutions. These systems solve a variety of problems in several market segments, and our products include a high level of service, training and implementation support. Systems are robust, easy to use and fit for purpose, whether it’s shooting a Hollywood blockbuster, mustering sheep, inspecting bridges or finding lost bush walkers.

Aeronavics were the first company in the world to develop a professional multi-rotor airframe solution, and as an early player in this huge market, and it has gained substantial industry knowledge and has established a trusted brand worldwide.

Its airframe structures still differentiate them from others in the market space. A blend of aerodynamic features, robustness, and durability through high-quality industrial composite and aerospace materials, functionality, and visual appeal make its craft stand out in performance as well as looks.

The performance of Aeronavics’ craft further confirms its leading edge, offering maximized flight duration (over an hour) and payload capability (7.5kg standard, and up to 20kg on specialized craft) by finding the most efficient component configurations (motors/propellers/batteries) matched with the right design geometry to create a well-tuned and high-performance system. This is the result of years of design experience and built-up know-how.

Its craft ensure smooth and vibration-free camera footage and sensor results through our world class vibration absorbing gear-rail assembly, engine mountings and vibration absorbing composites. Systems are easily packed down for travel whilst retaining structural integrity within the design.

The basic design can be adapted to different uses with the addition of specialised equipment using a unique and easily exchangeable payload attachment feature. Possible payload attachments include cinema-quality motion picture cameras, industrial zoom cameras, NVDA sensors, multispectral and hyperspectral devices, thermal imaging equipment, spray pods, laser scanners, air sampling equipment and more. This extends the functionality of a single drone to become a valuable multi-purpose tool for a variety of operational tasks in the field.

Aeronavics have formed collaborations with third-party manufacturers to integrate its devices and software programmes in its complete package solutions. An example is Aeronavics’ mapping/survey package that can include a Sony camera (collaboration with Sony) and a world class post-processing software package (collaboration with Pix4D). We have similar arrangements with thermal imaging devices (FLIR), NVDA (Sentek) and LiDAR (Headwall Photonics) as just a few examples.

Aeronavics are forming more collaborations as new sensor hardware emerges. They are contacted almost weekly now by new companies wishing to align with the company.

Aeronavics build unique world class RPAS systems with modular airframe structures, cutting-edge flight capabilities, proven results through proprietary vibration dampening technology and turn-key end to end solutions all backed by extensive service, support and user training / education.

Its clients include high-end movie producers, energy companies, oil and gas, forestry, mining, security, emergency services and law enforcement. These clients use drones as a primary tool, where down time is costly, and are looking to us for a reliable, dependable and robust solution.

In cases of fire, and other hazardous situations where lives are at risk, there simply are no compromises to be made. Its products are designed to be robust and meet the needs of challenging environmental situations and customers seeking the very best available solution.

More information about the offer can be found at: https://www.snowballeffect.co.nz/aeronavics

Watch the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=89Nxy-e3rh4

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