PrecisionHawk has announced that James Norrod is the company's new CEO.
With more than 25 years’ worth of experience leading companies in highly regulated industries, including public and venture-backed technology companies, Norrod specializes in several areas, including forming strategic partnerships, optimizing domestic and international operations, and developing management teams.
Some of Norrod’s previous leadership roles include serving as the CEO of Segway, the CEO of Zhone Technologies, and the CEO of Infinite Power Solutions.
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Business Solutions
Flyability opens first U.S. office in Denver
To continue its rapid expansion into U.S. markets and offer more robust support to customers and partners, Swiss drone company Flyability has opened its first U.S. office in Denver, Colorado.
Known for its Elios 2 drone for indoor inspections, Flyability says that the new office in Denver will allow it to provide “timely, more localized support to U.S. customers and partners, as well as continue to strengthen and develop strategic partnerships throughout the country and surrounding areas.”
Application period for SBIR and STTR seed funding opens
As of Jan. 14, the application period for non-dilutive seed funding from the Department of Defense opens — the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs.
Application Period:
Jan. 14, 2020 – Feb. 12, 2020 (8 p.m.)
SBIR/STTR Application: https://sbir.defensebusiness.org/
Swift Tactical Systems to launch comprehensive UAS program in Bahamas following contract award
Following a multi-agency selection process that saw it beat out 25 other companies, Swift Engineering subsidiary Swift Tactical Systems has been awarded a $17 million contract to launch a comprehensive UAS program for the Bahamas government agencies and ministries.
55 short and medium-range UAS will be purchased for the multi-agency UAS program. Immediate surveillance capabilities will be available, training and support will be provided, and a regional UAS academy will be established as part of the program.
The UAS will be available for use by all law enforcement agencies, immigration and customs, corrections facilities, and the military for a variety of activities.
State of South Dakota signs Participating Addendum for UAS services with DroneUp
DroneUp has announced that the State of South Dakota has signed a Participating Addendum for the NASPO ValuePoint contract for UAS services, established as the Contract Number 17379.
According to DroneUp, this starts the offering for the purchase of complete UAS platforms to all state agencies, commissions, political subdivisions, institutions, and local public bodies allowed by law. DroneUp notes that this award is the first of its kind for the UAS industry.
New York Gov. Cuomo proposes investment to establish small UAS experimentation and test facility at Griffiss International Airport
On Sunday, Jan. 5, New York Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo unveiled a proposal for a $9 million investment to establish a small UAS experimentation and test facility at Griffiss International Airport in Rome, Oneida County.
Red Cat to acquire FPV and drone racing hardware provider Rotor Riot
Red Cat Holdings Inc. has entered into an agreement to acquire first person view (FPV) and drone racing hardware provider Rotor Riot.
Red Cat notes that from 2018 to 2019, Rotor Riot’s revenue grew approximately 44 percent year-over-year. Red Cat adds that its acquisition of Rotor Riot will provide the necessary resources and combined expertise to facilitate more growth for both companies.
“We believe this deal is another significant milestone in our strategy to fuel rapid growth,” says Jeff Thompson, CEO of Red Cat.
MiLA Capital invests in 'tech you can touch' including drone delivery company DASH Systems
Commercial UAS delivery company DASH Systems designs, manufactures and deploys low-cost one-way delivery UAS that operate in today's air logistics network.
A portfolio company at Los Angeles-based Venture Capital (VC) firm MiLA Capital, DASH Systems created a platform that enables goods to be delivered without landing an aircraft following the runway/infrastructure issue in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico two years ago, which made providing aid to the Caribbean island and unincorporated U.S. territory difficult.
Capable of being mounted to any commercial aircraft, helicopter or UAS, DASH Systems’ delivery UAS enable fast and rapid deployment into any environment.
PrecisionHawk to use latest funding to innovate software tool, accelerate sales initiatives
PrecisionHawk announced it has raised $32 million in its latest funding round, which it plans to use for several efforts, including the continued innovation of its software tool, PrecisionAnalytics, which uses artificial intelligence and machine learning to help enterprises better use data collected by UAS to solve business challenges.
The financing will also be used to accelerate sales initiatives and further market expansion.
“This is an exciting time at PrecisionHawk and the commercial drone industry overall as adoption of drones continues to grow,” says Michael Chasen, CEO of PrecisionHawk.
Oklahoma State University drone program awarded $1.49 million grant
As part of its National Robotics Initiative 2.0 program, the National Science Foundation (NSF) has awarded Oklahoma State University’s (OSU) drone program a $1.49 million grant.
Awarded to OSU researchers He Bai, Rushikesh Kamalapurkar, Jamey Jacob and Matt Vance and former faculty member Balaji Jayaraman, the grant, which is the only grant of its kind awarded in Oklahoma, will be used to fund research that uses UAS technology to estimate wind conditions in differing environments.
