An emerging company advancing internet connectivity for “next-generation drones” aims to fly high after joining Space Park Leicester at its £100 million state-of-the-art facility.

Founded in 2025, DroneOD is developing a universal device designed to enable secure communication across all drone types, supporting safer, more connected aerial operations. 

The compact, rugged and secure global navigation satellite systems-enabled device delivers real-time tracking, geofencing, autonomous control and fleet analytics across all major drone types, meeting the needs of a growing market of more than 18,000 registered drone operators in the UK. 

Unlike existing solutions tied to specific manufacturers, DroneOD’s device automatically detects and configures to multiple drone protocols, making it the first true cross-platform Internet of Things (IoT) controller for drones. 

The company has secured funding from Innovate UK to carry out a six-month project to produce certified, commercial-grade prototypes for both its zipx1 (IoT) and zipx2 (Quantum Key Distribution QKD) devices.

By joining the University of Leicester’s hub of UK space innovation, DroneOD aims to accelerate the development, validation and commercial adoption of drone technologies within a realistic, connected environment.

The move will allow the start-up to collaborate closely with researchers, fellow drone companies and service providers, facilitating the scaling of development, testing and the co-creation of future projects.  

Lanval Ogarro, Founder of DroneOD, said: “Space Park Leicester is the ideal base for DroneOD because its location, cutting-edge facilities and expert community remove barriers to innovation in the drone and aerospace sector. 

“The space industry spans many domains – including critical positioning, navigation and timing for air and aerospace – and DroneOD is leveraging Space Park Leicester’s unique environment to develop advanced connectivity technologies for next-generation drones.”

Vinay Patel, Head of Commercial and Innovation at Space Park Leicester, commented: “Space Park Leicester is about more than facilities, it is a place where bold ideas take shape through collaboration, knowledge sharing and access to a unique community of experts. 

“Having DroneOD join us brings new energy to our hub, and we look forward to seeing how its work in cross-platform drone technologies inspires and accelerates developments across the entire aerospace ecosystem.”

Other partners located at Space Park Leicester include Rolls Royce, Airbus, Earth Sense, UKSA, and many more, creating a rich ecosystem of collaboration and innovation at Space Park Leicester. 

To explore Space Park Leicester partnerships, missions, residents, facilities, training programmes and innovation products, visit https://www.space-park.co.uk or to learn more about the University of Leicester visit https://le.ac.uk/.