Malaysian Drone Firm Aonic Raises $10M to Go Global

A drone company born in Malaysia is proving that homegrown innovation can solve real problems for millions of farmers across the globe.

Aonic, which designs and manufactures agricultural drones entirely in-house, just raised $10 million in new funding led by Kairous Capital. The investment will fuel the company's expansion beyond Southeast Asia while ramping up research and production of its Malaysia-built drones and software.

Founded in 2016 by Cheong Jin Xi, Aonic set out to tackle the toughest jobs in farming. Think crop spraying across vast plantations or inspecting fields in extreme heat. These tasks are physically demanding, time-consuming, and sometimes dangerous for human workers.

The company's solution gives farmers an affordable alternative. Aonic manufactures every component of its drones locally, keeping costs down and quality high. More importantly, they support farmers after the sale through training programs, financing options, and a network of over 50 service centers across Southeast Asia.

The approach is working. Aonic has grown revenue at triple-digit rates since 2022 and turned profitable in 2023, now pulling in over $60 million annually. Its drones currently operate in more than 15 countries, helping everyone from small family farms to massive plantation operations.

The Ripple Effect

When farmers can afford technology that reduces backbreaking labor, entire communities benefit. Workers shift from hazardous chemical spraying to operating sophisticated equipment. Crops get treated more efficiently and precisely, improving yields. And productivity gains mean more stable incomes for farming families.

Aonic's success also sends a powerful message about innovation in emerging markets. While many tech headlines focus on Silicon Valley or China, this Malaysian company built a profitable, scalable business solving local problems with local engineering talent.

The new funding gives Aonic the resources to bring these benefits to farmers worldwide. Adrian Hia, Partner at Kairous Capital, called the company a rare find capable of delivering transformative agricultural technology at scale across an entire region.

Cheong emphasized that years of building solid engineering and operational foundations prepared his team for this moment. The company can now expand globally while maintaining the reliability that earned farmer trust across Southeast Asia.

For millions of farmers facing labor shortages and rising costs, accessible drone technology isn't just convenient, it's becoming essential to staying in business.