This article is based on an official press release from Donecle.

Donecle Secures €10 Million to Scale AI-Powered Drone Inspections Globally

Toulouse-based aviation technology company Donecle has successfully raised €10 million to accelerate the global deployment of its automated drone inspection systems. In a company press release, Donecle announced that the funding round will serve as a key milestone for its international expansion, particularly targeting markets in Europe and the United States.

The investment was jointly led by IRDI Capital Investissement and SWEN Capital Partners, with additional participation from GSO Innovation and ARIS Occitanie. This capital injection aims to strengthen Donecle’s position as a pioneer in automated solutions for aircraft maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO).

By combining autonomous drones with advanced artificial intelligence, Donecle is working to modernize an inspection process that has historically been labor-intensive. The company stated in its release that the new funds will be directed toward accelerating growth, strengthening its teams, continuing AI investments, and forging new strategic partnerships.

Accelerating International Expansion

Strategic Growth and Hiring

Donecle’s primary objective for the €10 million raise is to scale its operations internationally. The company, which was founded in 2015, has steadily grown its footprint and currently operates more than 40 drones deployed across over 15 countries.

According to industry reports (Aviation Week), the company plans to establish a United States subsidiary in Chicago around October 2026, starting with an initial team of five employees. Furthermore, industry reporting indicates Donecle intends to hire approximately 10 additional staff members in France over the coming months to support its technological roadmap.

“This new round of funding will give us the resources to scale up internationally and further confirm our market leading position,” said Matthieu Claybrough, co-founder and CEO of Donecle, according to reporting by EU-Startups.

Advancing Automated Aircraft Maintenance

Faster Inspections and Predictive Maintenance

Donecle’s patented technology integrates autonomous drones, high-resolution imaging, and advanced artificial intelligence to conduct visual inspections of aircraft exteriors. According to the company’s press release, this automated approach makes inspections up to 10 times faster than traditional manual methods, while simultaneously improving safety, reliability, and traceability for maintenance technicians.

Beyond hardware, Donecle is heavily focused on the software ecosystem. The company is building a dedicated software platform designed to transform the visual data collected by its drones into actionable insights. This platform is engineered to integrate seamlessly with existing MRO systems, supporting the aviation industry’s broader shift toward predictive maintenance.

Industry Certifications and Adoption

The company’s press release notes that its solution is approved by leading authorities and manufacturers, and is utilized by major players across both commercial and military aviation. Industry estimates and reports (ePlane AI) specify that Donecle holds the unique distinction of offering an inspection solution certified by both Airbus and Boeing, as well as by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Its client roster reportedly includes major operators such as United Airlines, LATAM, DHL, Lufthansa, the French Air Force, and the Royal Air Force.

AirPro News analysis

We view the €10 million investment in Donecle as arriving at a critical juncture for the global aviation industry. As airlines and MRO providers grapple with a well-documented shortage of skilled maintenance technicians, the digitalization and automation of routine tasks have transitioned from a luxury to an operational necessity. By reducing the time required for visual inspections by up to a factor of ten, Donecle’s drone-based system directly addresses this labor bottleneck. Furthermore, the transition from simple visual data collection to AI-driven predictive maintenance software suggests that the true long-term value of these platforms will lie in their ability to forecast airframe wear and tear before it causes costly aircraft downtime.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much funding did Donecle raise in April 2026?

Donecle raised €10 million in a funding round led jointly by IRDI Capital Investissement and SWEN Capital Partners.

What does Donecle do?

Donecle develops automated aircraft inspection solutions that combine autonomous drones, high-resolution cameras, and artificial intelligence to perform visual inspections up to 10 times faster than manual methods.

Where is Donecle expanding?

The company plans to use the new funding to accelerate its international expansion, with a particular focus on growing its presence in Europe and the United States.

Sources: Donecle