Startup-industry analysis firm CB Insights released a digest of drone funding claiming that the first half of 2015 has netted over $172M in funding for drone-related companies — that’s more than the last 3 years’ worth of funding, combined.
While the numbers are pretty selective — CB Insights is limited to “disclosed” funding from companies who have advertised their rounds — it’s an interesting exercise to scan the list of names and associated amounts:
The first thing that should jump out is the discrepancy between U.S. based 3D Robotics and their Chinese rival, DJI. Both companies are careful with the numbers they choose to release, but with DJI’s reported $10B (with a B) valuation on their latest round, roughly half a billion in sales last year, and the lion’s share of FAA exemptions, their performance is impressive given how little money they’ve apparently raised, no doubt bolstered by surging revenues and an HQ in China.
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