Texas Rice University students raise $1.85 million to build drone network for life-saving medical deliveries. Here's how it works

Seven engineering students from Rice University in Texas have turned a classroom idea into a fast-growing startup aimed at transforming how hospitals move critical medical supplies. Their company, Haast Autonomous, has secured $1.85 million in pre-seed funding to build a drone-based delivery network for fast, secure transport of medical cargo between healthcare facilities, according to Rice University's press release.

The startup targets a major gap in healthcare logistics—delays caused by dependence on road couriers and expensive air transport when moving urgent biological samples, medicines, and emergency supplies.

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How 7 Texas students built a startup from a classroom project

Haast Autonomous was founded by graduating seniors Ege Halac, Jason Chen and Santiago Brent, who first developed the idea through Rice University’s innovation and entrepreneurship programs.

The concept began as a student project and quickly evolved into a working prototype at the university’s engineering design facilities. As development progressed, the team expanded to include fellow students Felix Hasson, Ethan Javedan, Kenna Sanders and Caden Schmidt, forming a seven-member founding team.

What started as a capstone project gradually became a startup focused on solving one of healthcare’s most time-sensitive challenges: moving critical materials between hospitals quickly and reliably.

Instead of following traditional job paths after graduation, the team plans to work full-time on Haast Autonomous as they prepare for pilot operations.

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How the medical drone system works

Haast Autonomous is building a vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft designed to operate directly from hospital rooftops or nearby open spaces, eliminating the need for runways.

Once airborne, the drone transitions into efficient horizontal flight, enabling it to cover longer distances. The current prototype can travel 50 to 62 miles while carrying at least five pounds of medical cargo.

The payload system is engineered to maintain strict environmental controls, including:

• Temperature regulation
• Pressure control
• Vibration reduction
• Tilt stability

This makes it suitable for transporting sensitive materials such as blood samples, antivenom, emergency poisoning kits, and specialized treatments.

Co-founder Jason Chen explained that the aircraft is only one part of a larger system.

“The aircraft is only half the solution. We’re building a logistics platform that seamlessly integrates with hospital operations and enables autonomous dispatch, tracking and delivery of critical medical goods.”

Alongside the drone hardware, the team is developing software that allows hospitals to request flights, monitor deliveries in real time, and maintain chain-of-custody records. The system also manages aircraft availability and airspace restrictions.

What’s next for Haast Autonomous

The startup has already gained significant traction, building early industry relationships and securing letters of intent from potential customers. It has also partnered with Airspace Link to support autonomous flight operations.

One of the team’s biggest achievements so far is rapid prototyping. Working from Rice University facilities, they built 13 aircraft iterations in just 16 weeks, using 3D printing to keep each prototype under $1,000.

Haast originally focused on transporting transplant organs, but the founders soon realized the platform could support a much wider range of mission-critical healthcare deliveries.

With fresh funding in place, the company plans to begin pilot trials in early 2027, followed by potential commercial deployment later that year.

If successful, the startup could help build one of the fastest and most reliable medical delivery networks—reducing delays and improving access to urgent care when minutes matter most.