Skyfish Company Profile

Background

Skyfish, founded in 2014 and headquartered in Stevensville, Montana, specializes in developing autonomous drone platforms tailored for the inspection, measurement, mapping, and modeling of critical infrastructure. The company's mission is to provide engineering-grade precision in data collection and analysis, serving sectors such as telecommunications, utilities, transportation, and government. By offering drones manufactured in the U.S., Skyfish addresses national security concerns and ensures compliance with federal regulations.

Key Strategic Focus

Skyfish's strategic objectives include:

Engineering-Grade Precision: Delivering high-fidelity 3D reality models for infrastructure inspection and measurement.

Autonomous Operations: Developing drones capable of autonomous navigation and data collection.

Versatile Payload Support: Integrating various sensors, including electro-optical, thermal, methane detection, and LiDAR.

Target Markets: Serving industries such as telecommunications (cell towers), utilities (power lines, wind turbines), transportation (bridges, railways), and government agencies.

Financials and Funding

In June 2021, Skyfish secured over $20 million in Series Seed funding, led by Henry Wolfond, CEO of Bayshore Capital, and Steven Bernstein, Chairman of SBA Communications. The capital is allocated to:

Expanding customer revenue streams.

Increasing drone manufacturing capacity.

Enhancing the talent pool.

Maintaining high service standards and innovative solutions.

Technological Platform and Innovation

Skyfish distinguishes itself through its comprehensive technological platform:

Proprietary Technologies:

Skymind™: An onboard computer enabling automated take-off and landing, object recognition, obstacle avoidance, machine vision, and autonomous flight.

Skyportal™: A web-based processing and analytics system that transforms photogrammetry data into precise 3D reality models, facilitating engineering analysis and decision-making.

Significant Scientific Methods:

Photogrammetry: Utilizing advanced algorithms to extract detailed features from thousands of photos, creating accurate digital twins of infrastructure with centimeter-level precision.

AI-Driven Capabilities:

Machine Learning Algorithms: Employed within Skyportal™ to analyze 3D models, generate CAD-like drawings, and produce engineering reports compatible with clients' databases.

Leadership Team

Dr. Orest Pilskalns, CEO: A mapping technology pioneer with a background in mathematics, physics, and computer science. Dr. Pilskalns has experience in machine learning and software engineering design, having worked at Lockheed Martin Astronautics and Washington State University.

John Livingston, Chairman: A high-tech CEO with expertise in mapping technology and software development. Livingston co-founded GeoMonkey, Inc., which laid the foundation for Skyfish's drone planning and navigation software.

Leadership Changes

In June 2021, Steven Bernstein, Chairman of SBA Communications, joined Skyfish's Board of Directors. Bernstein brings extensive experience in wireless infrastructure and commercial real estate investments, enhancing Skyfish's strategic direction.

Competitor Profile

Market Insights and Dynamics

The global inspection drone market is projected to reach $33.8 billion by 2032. Factors influencing this growth include:

Aging critical infrastructure requiring inspection and maintenance.

Regulatory shifts, such as the U.S. federal government's ban on Chinese drones, creating opportunities for domestic manufacturers.

Competitor Analysis

Key competitors in the autonomous drone sector include:

Skydio: Specializes in AI-driven autonomous drones for various applications.

Parrot: A French manufacturer offering a range of drones for commercial and consumer markets.

Exyn Technologies: Focuses on autonomous aerial robots for complex environments.

Skyfish differentiates itself by providing engineering-grade precision, U.S.-based manufacturing, and compliance with federal regulations.

Strategic Collaborations and Partnerships

Sony: Skyfish integrates Sony's Alpha series cameras, including the ILX-LR1, to enhance photogrammetry capabilities and produce high-resolution 3D models.

Bentley Systems: Collaborates to generate precise 3D reality models for infrastructure inspection and measurement.

Operational Insights

Skyfish's strategic considerations include:

Regulatory Compliance: Ensuring all products are NDAA compliant and meet federal security standards.

Market Position: Capitalizing on the ban of Chinese drones to capture market share in the U.S.

Competitive Advantages: Offering a full-stack solution with proprietary technologies, U.S.-based manufacturing, and partnerships with industry leaders.