Inspiration
Swift Wing was born from a simple online exchange that sparked a bold idea. When Sandra Benard replied to a friend’s post about sending food across states, she noted the absence of an app capable of handling such deliveries despite the clear demand. Reuben Nyaze responded, curious about how a drone-powered logistics system could make it possible. That conversation evolved into collaboration, and by November 2024, Dilichukwu Udemba, Oji Iheanyi, Deborah Nze and Favour Demba joined the team to shape Swift Wing. What began as a casual discussion on X turned into a mission to disrupt Nigeria’s logistics landscape and eliminate its long-standing inefficiencies.
What it does
Swift Wing is an eco-friendly logistics startup that uses unmanned aerial vehicles i.e. drones to deliver parcels and perishable goods quickly and safely across Nigerian cities. By bypassing road traffic and reducing delivery times by up to 80%, Swift Wing helps individuals and businesses save time, cut costs, and increase productivity. Through its mobile app, users can easily schedule, track, and manage deliveries, while businesses can integrate Swift Wing’s enterprise solution for efficient, tech-driven logistics.
How we built it
Swift Wing’s design was executed through a multidisciplinary, research-driven approach that combined user empathy, technical exploration, and creative innovation.
The process began with user and business research, alongside competitive audits of existing logistics and drone delivery services. Insights from these studies informed the creation of user flows, low-fidelity wireframes, and polished high-fidelity interfaces all led by Sandra Benard, who ensured the experience was both intuitive and future-ready.
Simultaneously, market research into global drone delivery branding guided Reuben Nyaze in shaping Swift Wing’s distinctive identity: from logo design to brand elements that capture its eco-friendly, tech-forward spirit.
On the engineering side, Favour Demba led research into drone architecture, resulting in custom-built 3D models optimized for Swift Wing’s operational needs merging efficiency, modularity, and sustainability.
Together, these efforts shaped Swift Wing into a cohesive ecosystem where technology, design, and purpose converge seamlessly.
Challenges we ran into
Swift Wing’s journey has been marked by resilience and determination in the face of real startup challenges.
One of the biggest hurdles was balancing full-time jobs with building Swift Wing, as every team member had to contribute after work hours while sustaining their livelihoods. Operating without external funding also meant navigating limitations relying on free versions of essential design, research, and collaboration tools, which often restricted efficiency and slowed progress.
Additionally, the team faced early attrition from less committed members, leading to a leaner but more dedicated core made up of Sandra Benard, Reuben Nyaze, Favour Demba, Dilichukwu Udemba, Oji Iheanyi, and Deborah Nze who have been united by shared purpose and persistence.
Accomplishments that we're proud of
Though still in its early stages, Swift Wing has gained growing recognition for its bold vision and innovative approach to logistics. The project has attracted enthusiastic engagement across social media, where followers commend its potential to revolutionize parcel delivery through eco-friendly drone technology.
What we learned
As a team, working on Swift Wing has been an invaluable learning experience. We’ve learned how to translate real-world requirements into practical industrial design decisions especially when developing complex systems like unmanned aerial vehicles. The process pushed us to think beyond aesthetics and user interfaces, into aerodynamics, material choices, safety, and operational efficiency.
Beyond the technical side, we’ve grown significantly in teamwork and collaboration. Many of us came from backgrounds where we primarily worked on solo projects, but this initiative taught us patience, communication, and the importance of shared accountability. We learned to respect each other’s expertise and understand how every decision whether in design, branding, or user experience ripples across the entire project. This awareness has made us stronger as individuals and more unified as a team.
What's next for Swift Wing
The next phase for Swift Wing marks an exciting transition from concept to tangible impact. Our immediate focus is on creating a showreel that brings the Swift Wing vision to life showcasing our drone designs, delivery concept, and the technology behind our proposed logistics system. This will serve as both a visual narrative of our progress and a compelling tool for attracting stakeholders.
Alongside that, we’ll be launching a live website designed to communicate Swift Wing’s goals clearly to investors, partners, and early supporters. The site will highlight our mission, the problem we’re solving, and the innovation driving our UAV-based delivery solution.
Looking ahead, our long-term roadmap involves developing the Swift Wing app, constructing drone booths, and initiating drone production once we meet our funding targets. These steps will position us to move from prototype to operation, with the ultimate goal of achieving product–market fit and introducing a reliable, tech-driven delivery network across Nigeria.
Log in or sign up for Devpost to join the conversation.