Key facts
- Manna has launched its first full-scale U.S. operation in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
- The company plans to be able to deliver to 90% of Tulsans within the next year.
- Manna has existing partnerships with DoorDash and Uber Eats.
- Operations are expected to begin within the next two months.
- The company aims to operate from 40 bases across Tulsa by mid-2027.
- Manna has completed over 300,000 deliveries, mainly in Ireland.
Ireland-based Manna has initiated its expansion into the United States with the launch of its first full-scale drone delivery operation in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The company, which has existing partnerships with DoorDash and Uber Eats, aims to make autonomous drone deliveries accessible to 90% of Tulsa's population within the next year. Executive chairman Kenny Jacobs stated that the region, including Oklahoma and Texas, will serve as a crucial 'battleground' for scaling drone delivery services globally.
Manna plans to commence flight operations within the next two months and intends to establish 40 operational bases across Tulsa by mid-2027. Jacobs highlighted that the technology is proven, and the focus is now on commercial scalability and demonstrating rapid base deployment. He also noted that each launch site requires minimal space, comparable to four parking spots, allowing for low capital expenditure.
The company, which has completed over 300,000 deliveries, primarily in Ireland where services were recently paused due to regulatory uncertainties, anticipates a smoother path in the U.S. Jacobs expressed confidence in Manna's ability to expand into another U.S. city this year, with Texas and Arizona being potential targets. Manna previously raised $50 million in Series B funding and has aspirations to expand into Britain by early 2028 and potentially the Middle East before then.