The Lafayette Economic Development Authority (LEDA) has announced that Blueflite has chosen to expand into the region, delivering medical logistics and emergency response capabilities by drone.
The company’s decision is backed by a USD 250,000 investment from Ochsner Louisiana Innovation Fund, a USD 10 million fund established by Ochsner Health, in partnership with Louisiana Economic Development via the State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI), to support early-stage health companies in Louisiana.
As part of the expansion, Blueflite will open a new office at the Opportunity Machine in Downtown Lafayette, becoming part of the region’s healthcare and technology ecosystem. “Blueflite’s advanced logistics technology will strengthen and contribute to the ongoing growth of our local innovation ecosystem,” said Mandi Mitchell, LEDA’s president and CEO. “We fully embrace pioneering technology companies in Lafayette, and we’re especially excited about Blueflite as their business model crosses multiple of our target industry sectors–logistics, aviation and aerospace, technology, and healthcare.”
Ochsner Lafayette General’s Level II trauma centre and network of rural hospitals are expected to directly benefit from Blueflite’s services, including through the rapid delivery of lab samples, blood and other critical medical supplies. Blueflite’s subsidiary, Darkflite, previously secured a US Department of Transportation contract for a drone-based blood delivery system to crash victims and emergency responders. Acadian Ambulance will collaborate with Blueflite locally.
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