ACCEL-KS Profile: Deltawerx
As you’re probably well aware, we were awarded a grant from the Kansas Department of Commerce to support early-stage founders in Kansas. With that funding, we designed the ACCEL-KS Proof-of-Concept Grant, a program that provides up to $25,000 to help Kansas founders take their projects from idea to commercialization. Our program includes wraparound services with ecosystem partner support from across the region. We received far more applications than we expected, and after a rigorous review process, we selected 20 grant recipients. Now, we’re going to share more about the projects they’re working on. We asked each founder the same set of questions, and over the coming weeks, we’ll publish their answers.
Up next? Deltawerx
Product name: Truly Wearable Ultra-Compact Auto-Expanding Drones
What gave you the idea for your product or startup?
It is clear from the Ukraine that future warfighters will be at risk without personal drones. The systems they use today are bulky, expensive, slow to deploy, require a dedicated operator, and cannot carry meaningful payloads. That capability gap inspired the creation of a new class of wearable, ultra-compact drones that deploy instantly at the point of need. By rethinking size, mechanics, and transformation, we built a platform that gives any individual immediate aerial capability without logistics burden or delay.
What makes your product stand out?
Our drones create an entirely new category: truly wearable, ultra-compact, auto-expanding aerial systems. They deploy instantly from a wrist, belt, or MOLLE gear with no cases, no setup, no downtime. This solves the biggest operational gap in small-UAS: the time between need and launch. The form factor reduces operator burden, enables mass fielding, and supports modular payloads for ISR, thermal imaging, search and rescue, law enforcement, and kinetic missions. By removing mechanical bulk and using novel electromagnetic transformations, we achieve performance traditionally impossible at this scale. Defense leaders have already identified the approach as a game-changer.
What have you learned so far on your journey?
I’ve learned that breakthrough innovation almost always comes from eliminating assumptions about size, form, manufacturing methods, and what “must” be possible. I’ve also learned the value of building around real end-user constraints: soldiers under stress, officers with seconds to act, firefighters in smoke, EMTs on the move. This journey reinforced the necessity of resilience in both engineering and entrepreneurship. Being able to pivot quickly, simplify aggressively, and communicate clearly has been essential. Most of all, I’ve learned that Kansas has an emerging, collaborative innovation community capable of supporting world-class technology creation.
How are the ACCEL-KS grant funds helping you reach the next stage of development?
The ACCEL-KS grant accelerates our proof-of-concept phase by enabling rapid iteration of the auto-expanding mechanism and integrated sensor payloads. It helps us translate patent-level concepts into functional prototypes that can be evaluated by defense, policing, and emergency response partners. This funding shortens our development cycle, supports local manufacturing exploration, and allows us to validate critical subsystems; expansion, stability, power, and modular payload mounting. It meaningfully advances us toward a deployable TRL-aligned demonstration unit.
What kind of support do you need from the startup community?
Connections to advanced manufacturing partners, materials experts, and investors aligned with defense and public-safety innovation would be tremendously valuable. We also welcome collaboration with embedded-systems engineers, AI/vision specialists, and organizations experienced with SBIR, STTR, DOD procurement, and NDAA-compliant supply chains. As we prepare for scaled demonstrations, support with product storytelling, photography, prototyping resources, and early pilot-site introductions would also accelerate our readiness.
What is something interesting we should know about you or your project?
It's interesting that with all of the advanced tech and engineers out there that this simple solution was not previously conceived/employed. And of course we push into the future with more complex phases which will be akin to the modern smartphone vs the original cellphone. That's the 400+ patent claims-pending. As a physician, lifelong technologist/innovator and kung fu grandmaster I look for "simple" solutions to unabated problems. Curiosity, inspiration and being gently unstoppable combine with gratitude to make most anything possible.
