As international trade policies shift and tariffs create challenges for global tech companies, INVOLI, a Swiss innovator in drone tracking and airspace visualization, is navigating these changes with confidence. Thanks to its strategic decision to outsource manufacturing early on, the company is shielded from the latest punitive tariffs affecting foreign-made tech products.
INVOLI, co-founded by CEO Manu Lubrano, is already profitable and operating across three continents. Its proprietary network, powered by over 500 active receivers—including 50 located in the U.S.—continues to expand rapidly. The United States has emerged as the company’s most dynamic growth region, driven by a favorable regulatory environment and the presence of major industry players like Amazon, Walmart, and Google.
“Roughly half of the global drone industry is based in the U.S.,” says Lubrano. “And as U.S. regulations continue to evolve in favor of commercial drone flights, we expect even more rapid scaling opportunities.”
How GENIUS NY Accelerated U.S. Market Access
Last year, INVOLI was selected to join GENIUS NY, a leading drone tech incubator in Syracuse, New York. As part of the program, the company received a $500,000 investment and gained access to a valuable network of partners and resources. Several other Swiss startups, including Fotokite and Windshape, have also seen success through the program.
One of the most impactful introductions through GENIUS NY was to Think Variant, a U.S.-based manufacturing partner. This collaboration has proven instrumental in scaling INVOLI’s U.S. operations while minimizing supply chain risk.
“Think Variant has been phenomenal,” says Lubrano. “They’ve not only helped us match our Swiss production costs but also added value by improving our design for manufacturability and product reliability.”
What Startups Should Know About Choosing a Manufacturing Partner
For INVOLI, outsourcing manufacturing wasn’t an afterthought—it was a foundational part of the business model. The company maintains full control over hardware development, ensuring that its custom-built software layers can continue evolving to meet the needs of a fast-moving industry.
Lubrano has developed a precise framework for evaluating manufacturing partners, based on experience gained during his time at senseFly and years of visiting facilities across Europe and Asia. He advises startups to look beyond the basics (technical capability, financial stability, product quality) and consider two additional factors:
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Flexibility: Ideal partners are those willing to build multiple prototype iterations and treat the product with care as if it were their own.
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Proportionality: A good partner should view your business as a valuable part of their portfolio—ideally accounting for 10–20% of their annual revenue. Less than 3% and they may not prioritize you; more than 50% and you’re at risk of becoming their financial lifeline.
This balanced approach allows for sustainable, long-term manufacturing relationships that scale with the business.
U.S. Remains the Top Market — and a Strategic Focus
Looking ahead, the U.S. will continue to play a pivotal role in INVOLI’s growth. The team is doubling down on product development and strategic partnerships to support the expanding commercial drone sector.
Lubrano encourages other Swiss startups—particularly in aviation and drone technology—to explore the GENIUS NY program as a gateway into the U.S. market. Applications for the next cohort are open until May 28th, 2025.
“GENIUS NY opened doors we didn’t know existed. It’s more than funding—it’s a launchpad.”
With its U.S. operations accelerating and tariffs now a non-issue, INVOLI exemplifies how smart production strategy and local market engagement can future-proof international expansion.
