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Building a scalable #drone [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/drone] company is no longer just about technology — it’s about execution. At Aerial Cities 2024, the panel on #funding [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/funding] a scalable business model brought together top voices from both startup and investment circles to share what really makes drone ventures fundable and #scalable [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/scalable] in today’s capital environment. Their advice? Focus less on the pitch deck, and more on the #business [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/business] behind the drone. Key takeaways from the panel: ➡️ Market fragmentation is a major barrier. Too many companies are chasing too little #revenue [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/revenue], and it’s diluting investor confidence. ➡️ #Pilot [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/pilot] projects are no longer impressive. If your system isn’t generating daily usage or ongoing revenue, it’s not considered viable. ➡️ It’s not just about #airworthiness [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/airworthiness] — it’s about business readiness and financial fluency. That means certifications, compliance, field support, and scaling strategy. ➡️ What makes a drone company attractive for investors in 2025? Clear market focus, proven use cases, and the ability to articulate a scalable business model — strengthened by real numbers and strong execution. Moderated by Kara Jones, Director of GENIUS NY, this discussion featured Mark Green, Managing Director & Head of Technology Banking at Ladenburg Thalman; Eric Brock, Founder, Chairman & CEO of Ondas Holdings; Gwen Lighter, CEO of GoAero; Philip Buchan, COO at Cyberhawk; and Alex Pachikov, Co-Founder & CEO of Sunflower Labs. Watch the full panel discussion to find out what investors are really looking for — and how drone startups can stand out in a crowded market.

"You might spend more money on our product in upfront cost; it’s about ten times higher, but you’d have to buy more than ten sets of #batteries [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/batteries] to run for 1,500 hours," said Andy Kelly from Intelligent Energy. For operators scaling industrial #drone [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/drone] missions, the math is clear — hydrogen-powered #UAVs [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/uavs] fly longer, reduce fleet downtime, and slash total cost of ownership. With 3X the endurance of lithium-powered #drones [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/drones], Intelligent Energy’s IE-SOAR fuel cells are already transforming industries such as mapping, LiDAR surveying, infrastructure inspection, and defence. In real-world tests, a hydrogen-powered UAV flew 483% longer than a battery-powered drone under identical conditions. At the Commercial UAV News Expo 2024, Andy Kelly, Head of Product at Intelligent Energy, joined our Co-founder and CEO, Eszter Kovács, to discuss why #hydrogen [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/hydrogen] is the key to scalable #UAV [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/uav] operations, beyond #BVLOS [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/bvlos] limitations, and ready for commercial adoption today. From offshore wind farm inspections covering 150 miles in a single flight to eliminating fleet downtime with 1,500-hour fuel cell lifespans, Intelligent Energy is reshaping UAV capabilities and making industrial drone operations truly viable. Watch the full interview to hear Andy’s insights on how hydrogen UAVs are unlocking new commercial opportunities and driving industry-wide adoption.

At Aerial Cities 2024, panellists discussed “Trends and opportunities: An industry perspective on the past successes and challenges ahead.” Key takeaways from the discussion: ➡️ Manna Air Delivery proves #profitability is possible — but #regulation is the roadblock. Operating thousands of flights per month with just four aircraft, Manna has built a revenue-generating suburban delivery model. Yet, slow regulatory progress is limiting expansion in key markets like the UK. ➡️ "A bad #framework is better than no framework." Industry leaders stressed that unpredictable #BVLOS regulations are keeping businesses in trial mode. The US and Italy are advancing, while the UK remains stuck in test environments without a clear path to commercial #scaling. ➡️ AI, #satellite tech, and detect-and-avoid systems are the backbone of large-scale #drone operations. Amazon Prime Air is refining multi-layered detect-and-avoid systems, while Telespazio is solving #GPS accuracy issues in urban environments with satellite-based navigation. Moderated by Lorenzo Murzilli, Co-founder & CEO of Murzilli Consulting, the session featured expert insights from: Carlos Hernandez Medel, CCO at Telespazio Ibérica; Duncan Casey, UK Head of Airworthiness & Certification at Amazon Prime Air; Bobby Healy, Founder & CEO of Manna Drone Delivery; Alex Brown, Director at Skyports Drone Services; Glen Lynch, CEO of Volatus Aerospace; and Ewa Gowers, Head of SARG Operations & Programmes at the UK Civil Aviation Authority (representing Sofia S. from the Department for Transport (DfT), United Kingdom).

Scaling a #drone #business is harder than ever — so how are top #investors spotting winners?   At Aerial Cities 2024, we went straight to the source. The #investment landscape has shifted dramatically, and only the most adaptable businesses will survive. Raising #capital is no longer only about #innovative tech.   Today, it’s all about real #revenue, smart #scaling strategies, and knowing when to pivot.  Key takeaways from the panel discussion:  ➡️ A few years ago, proof of concept was enough to secure investment. Now, investors want tangible revenue and a clear path to #profitability.  ➡️ #Adaptability is critical to survival. Startups must build strong, flexible teams that can #pivot, take feedback, and navigate challenges.  ➡️ #Regulations can make or break you. Companies working with #regulators, rather than waiting for policy changes, will gain a #competitive advantage.  Moderated by Dario Di Martino, Founder & CEO of DMD Solutions, the panel featured top industry voices, including Gabriela Matic, Co-founder & Director at Metta/ Venture Partner at Aerospace Xelerated; Gary Cutts, Challenge Director for Future Flight at UK Research and Innovation; Gordon Baker, Policy Advisor for Robotics at the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology; and Etienne Louvet, Founder & CEO of IONA.

“We bring in the right drone service providers to make sure a customer who wants to inspect a dam, for example, can buy the service and the package and be certain everything is working rather than looking around for each component separately.” - says Kristofer Skantze, CEO of Xer Technologies, who sees #Switzerland as the future of UAV #innovation — a place where #drone companies can scale, work together, and thrive.  At the 2024 Commercial UAV News Expo, Kristofer sat down with Thilo Uebbert, Senior Consultant for Programme Management at Murzilli Consulting, to discuss:  ✅ Why Switzerland is the ideal home for #UAV companies  ✅ How #verticalisation has fuelled Xer Technologies’ rapid growth  ✅ The biggest challenges facing the industry, from talent shortages to #regulatory hurdles   To drive UAV innovation forward, Kristofer emphasised the need for stronger industry #collaboration, pragmatic #regulations, and end-to-end #solutions rather than just hardware.