Using innovation to deliver aid to disaster zones

Windhorse Aerospace is aiming to make a big difference across the globe. This R&D company specialises in Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) with the purpose of delivering humanitarian aid to disaster zones.

Based in the little city of Wells, Somerset, Windhorse Aerospace is aiming to make a big difference across the globe. This R&D company specialises in Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) with the purpose of delivering humanitarian aid to disaster zones. Founded in 2016 by Nigel Gifford, and with an experienced team contributing to the business, Windhorse has the potential to build a sustainable business model whilst contributing to the international development community around the world.

The company are currently developing an innovative patented UAV called POUNCER™, which will tackle current unreliability from products already on the market. Windhorse’s solution will provide unmanned food drops to an accuracy of 8 - 10 metres avoiding all infrastructure problems, corruption or hostile groups; the ability to deconstruct the UAV to provide the materials required for cooking; and all food packages will be specifically tailored to match the regions religion and diets.

Susie Williams, Enterprise Europe Network Sector Lead, met with Jason Dobson and Phillip Harrall of Windhorse to discuss their intended application under the Innovate UK Open Funding Competition. From this initial meeting, Susie identified that Windhorse would gain greatly from the innovate2succeed coaching programme and encouraged them to pursue this opportunity with Business West.

The innovate2succeed programme highlighted potential growth areas for the business and resulted in an action plan covering the modules ‘Understanding Funding and Grants’ and ‘Understanding Sources of Finance’. Kim Howat, one of our funding specialists, outlined the potential sources of grant funding. Business West specialist, Philip Tellwright, advised Windhorse on potential access to equity investment and support, with strategy and ongoing access to finance including a Crowdfunding pitch. 

Talking about the support Windhorse has received from Business West’s innovate2succeed team, Chief Executive Officer Phillip Harrall said,

“The support in terms of help, guidance and advice from the innovate2Succeed programme has been outstanding. Windhorse has received help in a number of critical areas ranging from Intellectual Property Rights to understanding the funds that may be available to our new business. Ed Tellwright and the innovation specialists have been most helpful and understanding, plus they all have vast amounts of experience in their chosen fields. That makes a huge difference when you’re starting a new business.”

Going forward, the main vision for Windhorse is to become the ‘go to’ business for humanitarian aid and to be known for changing the way aid is delivered to disaster zones. Beyond this, the aim is to license the product throughout the globe and regionalise the product for reduced response times. 

Research and development is also a key component for Windhorse’s future and they are currently undertaking a capability assessment of certain foods to change the shape of the product to reduce wasted space. A key focus of the business’s growth strategy is to sell their solution overseas to multiple Governments, NGOs and aid organisations.

Innovation should be considered a key component of any business growth strategy, which is why the innovate2succeed programme has been designed to help embrace innovative business practices and increase chances of success.

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    If you are an ambitious company looking for ways to grow your business, this intensive coaching programme will provide you with the innovation support needed to achieve these goals.

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  • "The support in terms of help, guidance and advice from the innovate2succeed programme has been outstanding. Windhorse has received help understanding the funds that may be available to our new business."

    Phillip Harrall, Windhorse Aerospace Ltd