Entrepreneur · Investor · Writer

Building the future
of autonomous systems

French entrepreneur based between Europe and the US. Founder of IONA Drones, investor in deep tech, and writer on the intersection of technology and the physical world.

Etienne Louvet

From strategy to building

French entrepreneur with a background in strategy consulting and a degree from London Business School. After years advising companies on where the world was heading, Etienne decided to go build it himself.

He founded IONA Drones in London in October 2021 to tackle autonomous cargo delivery — building aircraft that carry 20kg payloads over 100–200km ranges with minimal human intervention.

IONA operates from its London headquarters and an Irish office in Shannon. Alongside IONA, Etienne runs ROMO Ventures — a holding, investment, and consultancy vehicle focused on autonomous systems and deep technology.

He also angel invests through UK-based syndicates, backing founders working on industrial and hard tech — the kind of problems where engineering depth matters more than hype cycles.

Operator, investor, advisor

Founder & CEO

IONA Drones

Autonomous drone delivery for cargo up to 20kg, with 100–200km range. London HQ with an Irish office in Shannon.

ionadrones.com
Holding & Consultancy

ROMO Ventures

Holding, investment, and consultancy in autonomous systems and deep technology. Where software meets the real world.

romo-ventures.com
Angel Investor

Deep Tech Portfolio

Investing through UK-based syndicates in industrial and hard tech — robotics, autonomous systems, health, and frontier technology.

Thinking in public

Essays and analysis on autonomous systems, deep tech investing, and building companies at the frontier of what's possible.

In the media

Irish Times Coverage of IONA Drones and autonomous delivery in Ireland
Everywhere VC Podcast appearance on deep tech investing and building in autonomous systems
French Chamber Featured entrepreneur — French founders building technology companies in the UK

Stay updated

Two newsletters covering different angles — one on the broader deep tech landscape, another on the day-to-day of building a drone company.