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Cape Town-based drone operator UAV Industries has raised ZAR6.84 million (US$499,000) in funding from Glenheim Venture Capital Company, the first direct investment made by Glenheim’s Section 12J fund.

Launched three years ago, UAV Industries offers drone training and leasing services, and has seen 300 per cent year-on-year growth off the back of a multi-million rand turnover.

The investment from Glenheim’s fund, which was launched at the World Economic Forum on Africa earlier this year, was made three months ago, since when UAV has doubled its fixed monthly revenue. The startup recently entered the US market.

“We’ve watched UAV Industries for over a year, assessing the underlying fundamentals”, said Louw Barnardt, a director in the fund. “The business is perfectly positioned in the market, with a strong team and the best global technology has been acquired and incorporated into their processes.”

Richard von Seidel, a former MD at Deutsche Bank in London who now heads the fund’s investment committee, said drones are a key part of the fourth industrial revolution.

“South Africa is at the forefront of the game in terms of regulation and innovation. UAV Industries is poised to play a pivotal role in the adoption of the technology across industries with a particular focus on infrastructure security and monitoring,” he said.

UAV Industries founder and chairman Peter Venn said he was delighted with the deal.

“Glenheim VCC represents a team we know and have worked with, who understand our business inside out, playing a strategic role including financial and business development; they’ve already opened doors for us across the continent,” he said.

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