David Merrill
Co-founder of Elroy Air (2016) and CEO until January 2025, when he became Executive Chairman as Dr. Andrew Clare took over as CEO.
David Merrill holds a Ph.D. from MIT (human-computer interaction / Media Arts and Sciences) and a B.S./M.S. in Computer Science and Symbolic Systems from Stanford. His doctoral research led to Sifteo, a tactile/interactive learning-cube system he founded; Sifteo was acquired by drone maker 3D Robotics in 2014, where Merrill went on to lead the launch of the Solo smart drone (2015) before directing R&D and IP for the company. In 2016 Merrill co-founded Elroy Air with Clint Cope to build autonomous, vertical-takeoff-and-landing (VTOL) cargo aircraft systems — including the Chaparral UAS, developed in collaboration with NASA and the U.S. Air Force — aimed at expanding express logistics into hard-to-reach locations. He served as CEO from founding until January 2025, when he transitioned to Executive Chairman as Dr. Andrew Clare (previously COO) became CEO. He is a TED speaker and is based in South San Francisco, CA.
Overview
- Role
- Co-Founder & Executive Chairman, Elroy Air (CEO until Jan 2025)
- Based in
- South San Francisco, CA, USA
- Prior experience
- Sifteo, 3D Robotics
Affiliated funds1
Frequently asked
- Who is David Merrill?
- David Merrill holds a Ph.D. from MIT (human-computer interaction / Media Arts and Sciences) and a B.S./M.S. in Computer Science and Symbolic Systems from Stanford. His doctoral research led to Sifteo, a tactile/interactive learning-cube system he founded; Sifteo was acquired by drone maker 3D Robotics in 2014, where Merrill went on to lead the launch of the Solo smart drone (2015) before directing R&D and IP for the company. In 2016 Merrill co-founded Elroy Air with Clint Cope to build autonomous, vertical-takeoff-and-landing (VTOL) cargo aircraft systems — including the Chaparral UAS, developed in collaboration with NASA and the U.S. Air Force — aimed at expanding express logistics into hard-to-reach locations. He served as CEO from founding until January 2025, when he transitioned to Executive Chairman as Dr. Andrew Clare (previously COO) became CEO. He is a TED speaker and is based in South San Francisco, CA.
- What is David Merrill's role?
- David Merrill is Co-Founder & Executive Chairman, Elroy Air (CEO until Jan 2025), based in South San Francisco, CA, USA.
- Where did David Merrill work before?
- David Merrill's prior roles include Sifteo, 3D Robotics.
Sources & citations5
Each claim links to its underlying source. Confidence reflects how directly the source supports the claim.
- 1
Robo-VTOL company Elroy Air scores milestones, funding, new CEO; founded by David Merrill and Clint Cope in 2016
Forbes: Robo-VTOL Company Elroy Air Scores Milestones, Funding, New CEOVerified2025-01-14 - 2
David Merrill founded Sifteo (acquired by 3D Robotics in 2014) after MIT/Stanford; later led 3D Robotics' Solo drone launch and R&D/IP
about.me: Dave MerrillReported2026-08-09 - 3
David Merrill's education (MIT PhD, Stanford BS/MS) and CEO/co-founder role at Elroy Air, TED speaker note
Revolution.aero: David MerrillReported2022-07-29 - 4
- 5
David Merrill (Elroy Air co-founder) is listed as a Venture Partner at Lemnos.
Crunchbase: David Merrill — Person ProfileReported2026-08-11