Australian drone logistics start-up Swoop Aero is now a World Economic Forum-commissioned global innovator.

The Queensland company – which charted a path in Africa delivering medical supplies in countries that include Mozambique, Malawi and the DR Congo – announced in a statement that it had joined the WEF’s Global Innovator community, in which members help define and shape the global agenda on future innovations ranging from the fourth industrial revolution to digital care.

Joining several other start-ups, including drone companies like Zipline, Wingcopter and Redwing Labs in the new role, Swoop Aero said it will continue to shape the future of innovation, spearheading the creation of a new layer of infrastructure making access to the skies seamless.

“We are delighted to join the ‘Global Innovators’ community at the Forum, and to work alongside a group of like-minded, impact-driven organisations,” said Eric Peck, CEO of Swoop Aero.

“As a Global Innovator, Swoop Aero will continue to pioneer the next giant leap in how essential supplies and services are delivered, and build a new infrastructure layer for society.”

The WEF describes the Global Innovator Community as “an invitation-only group of the world’s most promising start-ups and scale-ups that are at the forefront of technological and business model innovation.

“Amid major global disruptions brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, it is a critical moment for innovative companies to bring forward new ideas and innovations to help protect the lives and livelihoods of communities and industries around the world.

As the Organisation for Public-Private Cooperation, the World Economic Forum provides the Global Innovators Community with a platform to engage with public- and private-sector leaders and to contribute new solutions to overcome the current crisis and build future resiliency.”

Swoop Aero fits the bill; the company’s journey from being the first company in the world to deliver a vaccine by commercial drone to obtaining BVLOS approvals to fly in 14 countries is no small feat.

Since 2017, Swoop Aero’s integrated drone platform has been scaling up globally, with operations now spanning countries including UK, Malawi, DR Congo, Mozambique, Australia and New Zealand; delivering a range of services that span from medical deliveries and e-commerce, to emergency/disaster management and wildlife conservation.

“We are pleased to have Swoop Aero join the World Economic Forum’s Global Innovators community,” said Verena Kuhn, Head of the Global Innovators Community, World Economic Forum.

“Swoop Aero will work alongside other innovators and industry leaders to spur the advancement and acceleration of drone technology for the benefit of the global community. Swoop Aero will also contribute to the Forum’s Platform for Shaping the Future of Mobility on initiatives such as Medicines from the Sky and Aerospace and Drones, and also engage globally as part of the Forum’s Fourth Industrial Revolution Network.”