FAA milestones position the company to compete in the drone delivery market
Drone delivery company DEXA has closed an oversubscribed $15 million seed round to expand operations and introduce at-home drone delivery in major metropolitan markets. The company says the funding validates its plan to empower local retailers with tools to compete against the two-day shipping standard set by online giants.
DEXA Funding Round
The $15 million seed round was completed in three $5 million stages, raised in 2021, 2023, and 2025. G2A Investment Partners led the investment, with Venture 53 and Tech Square Ventures also participating. All three firms bring experience in logistics and technology platforms.
DEXA will use the capital to expand its delivery networks, onboard retail partners, and grow operations across multiple markets. One of the company’s first targets will be large metropolitan areas.
“This funding is more than capital – it’s validation of our mission to transform local commerce through drone logistics,” said Beth Flippo, CEO of DEXA. “We’re proud to have the support of Venture 53, Tech Square Ventures, and our partners since the very beginning, G2A Investment Partners, who share our belief that Main Street businesses deserve the same powerful delivery tools as the world’s largest retailers. Together, we’re not just building the future of logistics, we’re leading a movement to rewrite the rules of delivery in America.”
FAA Certifications Set DEXA Apart
Few companies of DEXA’s size have achieved all three major FAA milestones required for large-scale drone delivery. DEXA holds:
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A Part 135 Carrier Certificate, which allows on-demand, unscheduled air service.
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A nationwide beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) waiver, which permits drones to fly out of sight without case-by-case approvals.
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Certification to manufacture its own U.S.-made aircraft.
By integrating operations and manufacturing, DEXA controls the full delivery ecosystem, a step that provides advantages in both regulation and execution.
“There are only a handful of companies in the U.S. that integrate operations and aircraft and have been certified to fly BVLOS commercially,” said Alcides Ferreira, Managing Partner at G2A Investment Partners. “Dexa reached that milestone with far less capital and fewer people – proving that planning, drive, and discipline are critical to realizing the vision. We are confident they are on the right path to creating an entirely new way of moving goods and connecting communities. We don’t just invest in bright ideas, but in people with the vision and passion to pursue them relentlessly.”
Competing for Urban Deliveries
Drone delivery has been discussed for over a decade, but progress has been slow. More than six years after the FAA approved commercial home deliveries, service remains limited to suburban and rural areas. Some providers scaled back efforts in dense cities, citing challenges.
DEXA is taking a different approach by focusing on independent retailers and local businesses rather than central fulfillment centers. The company says this model helps communities by enabling small retailers to provide fast, affordable delivery without relying on large-scale distribution hubs.
By focusing on “hometowns” rather than sprawl, DEXA hopes to give small and mid-sized retailers the same delivery reach as e-commerce leaders. The strategy positions the company to serve an underserved, high-growth segment of the market.
About DEXA
Founded in 2021 and based in Dayton, Ohio, DEXA (Drone Express) develops its own certified U.S.-made aircraft, the DE-2020 hexacopter, and operates the DEXA NOW delivery marketplace app. The company aims to deliver safe, fast, and eco-friendly solutions for retailers and consumers.
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Miriam McNabb is the Editor-in-Chief of DRONELIFE and CEO of JobForDrones, a professional drone services marketplace, and a fascinated observer of the emerging drone industry and the regulatory environment for drones. Miriam has penned over 3,000 articles focused on the commercial drone space and is an international speaker and recognized figure in the industry. Miriam has a degree from the University of Chicago and over 20 years of experience in high tech sales and marketing for new technologies.
For drone industry consulting or writing, Email Miriam.
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