The Drone Delivery Startup That Could Beat Amazon (NASDAQ:AMZN)

Drone Delivery Canada Corp. (TSXV:FLT) has managed to strike interesting partnerships and chart a roadmap for sales this year. That puts it ahead of the competition.

| More on:

Nearly six years ago, e-commerce giant Amazon (NASDAQ:AMZN) unveiled an innovative new device that could change the retail landscape forever. Jeff Bezos’s team had managed to create a series of small drones capable of carrying up to five pounds’ worth of cargo. These tiny flying devices were meant to cover the last mile of deliveries for goods ordered online.

Yet all these years later, the skies are devoid of any drones or unmanned delivery vehicles carrying bags of toilet rolls to people’s doorsteps. Despite its failure to live up to Bezos’s predicted timeline, the company has confirmed that it is still working on making drones cost effective and compliant with air travel regulations to make these deliveries viable in the near future.

Meanwhile, other companies in different parts of the world have snatched the lead away from the Seattle-based giant. In Canada, Drone Delivery Canada (TSXV:FLT) seems to be the current market leader.

Vaughan-based DDC has been around since 2014 and has spent years creating drones and drone delivery management software for commercial purposes. According to the team’s website, these delivery drones could be used to deliver medicines to the elderly, business critical documentation, first aid, spare parts for vehicles, and, of course, e-commerce packages.

There is a specific reason DDC stands a better chance at making drone deliveries viable than its peers in other countries.

Canada is the second-largest country in the world with a critical lack of population density in its rural and northern areas. Deliveries of food, medicine, and other essentials to these remote communities is often so expensive that the cost of living is noticeably magnified. The higher costs and lack of availability in these regions make drone deliveries commercially viable.

In 2017, the DDC team signed a deal with the Moose Cree First Nation, a Cree First Nation band government located in some of the most remote parts of northern Ontario. The deal would allow the team to start making deliveries of essential goods directly to the communities this year. The technicians and drone operators required to manage this innovative new logistics system could also help create jobs for the community’s youngest members. 

Since then the company has unveiled a new drone model that can carry payloads of up to 400 pounds and tested several flights across the United States and Canada. According to its most recent press release, DDC could start commercialization and revenue generation this year.

While the company’s slow progress and lack of sales may seem off-putting, it’s important to note that this is a nascent industry where even the tech giants have failed to make a breakthrough. Nevertheless, experts from PriceWaterhouseCoopers and Goldman Sachs estimate the global market for drone deliveries could exceed $100 billion by 2020.

To cement its position in this rapidly expanding industry, DDC has $16 million in cash, a handful of interesting partnerships, regulatory approvals, a wide portfolio of products, and a head start in Canada. There’s a non-zero chance of success here.

Bottom line

Costs and regulatory hurdles may have prevented major technology companies like Amazon from making drone deliveries mainstream, but with its track record and industry partnerships, DDC seems to stand a chance of kickstarting the industry in Canada.

This article represents the opinion of the writer, who may disagree with the “official” recommendation position of a Motley Fool premium service or advisor. We’re Motley! Questioning an investing thesis — even one of our own — helps us all think critically about investing and make decisions that help us become smarter, happier, and richer, so we sometimes publish articles that may not be in line with recommendations, rankings or other content.

Fool contributor Vishesh Raisinghani has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. John Mackey, CEO of Whole Foods Market, an Amazon subsidiary, is a member of The Motley Fool’s board of directors. David Gardner owns shares of Amazon. The Motley Fool owns shares of Amazon.

More on Tech Stocks

Canada national flag waving in wind on clear day
Tech Stocks

Trump Trade: Canadian Stocks to Watch

With Trump returning to the presidency, there are some sectors that could boom in Canada, and others to watch. But…

Read more »

ways to boost income
Tech Stocks

2 Stocks to Help Turn $100,000 Into $1 Million

Do you want to turn $100,000 into $1 million quickly? Look for small- or mid-cap stocks that are scaling as…

Read more »

Man data analyze
Tech Stocks

3 Reasons Celestica Stock Is a Screaming Buy Now

These three reasons make Celestica stock a screaming buy for long-term investors.

Read more »

profit rises over time
Dividend Stocks

These 2 Dow Stocks Are Set to Soar in 2025 and Beyond

Two Dow Jones stocks are screaming buys but Canadians must hold them in an RRSP or RRIF to avoid paying…

Read more »

telehealth stocks
Tech Stocks

Well Health Stock: Buy, Sell, or Hold?

Another record-breaking quarter and strong demand sets the stage for continued momentum for Well Health stock.

Read more »

3 colorful arrows racing straight up on a black background.
Dividend Stocks

TSX Stocks Soaring Higher With No Signs of Slowing

Three TSX stocks continue to beat the market and could soar higher in an improving investment landscape.

Read more »

profit rises over time
Tech Stocks

2 Non-AI Tech Stocks to Buy in November for Better Returns

Not all AI stocks are riding the hype train, and for many investors, well-understood and predictable growth stocks might be…

Read more »

worry concern
Tech Stocks

In a Few Years, You’ll Probably Regret Not Owning BlackBerry Stock

Here’s why I believe BlackBerry could be one of the most overlooked Canadian tech stocks right now.

Read more »