Toulouse-based startup Donecle has secured €10 million in Series A funding to scale its autonomous drone technology for aircraft inspection. The round was led by Supernova Invest, with participation from Airbus Ventures, IRDI, and existing investors NCI and GO Capital.

Donecle, founded in 2015, has developed an AI-powered drone system that automates visual inspections of aircraft exteriors. The drones operate autonomously in hangars, capturing high-resolution images to detect surface defects such as scratches, dents, or corrosion. Using computer vision and machine learning algorithms, the system analyzes the imagery and generates detailed inspection reports, significantly reducing inspection time compared to traditional manual methods.

The company reports that its technology can inspect a narrow-body aircraft like an Airbus A320 in under two hours—a task that typically takes a human team eight hours. This efficiency gain allows airlines and maintenance providers to minimize aircraft downtime and optimize maintenance operations.

Donecle’s solutions are already deployed with several major aviation industry players, including Airbus, Air France Industries KLM Engineering & Maintenance, and Swiss International Air Lines. The new funding will accelerate international expansion, particularly in North America and Asia, and support further R&D to enhance the platform’s capabilities and adapt it to additional aircraft types.

CEO Matthieu Claybrough emphasized that the investment validates the growing demand for automation in aviation maintenance, especially as the industry seeks to improve safety, reduce costs, and address workforce shortages. Donecle aims to establish its autonomous inspection technology as a global standard for aircraft maintenance.

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