Episode 5: Innovating through Research and Development with Pramod Raheja
This is the dream: leveraging research and development dollars to create something innovative. Airgility’s CEO, Pramod Raheja, tells us how they grew from academia to one of ten startups chosen in the inaugural cohort at U.S. Air Force Labs (in conjunction with MassChallenge). Along the way we learn their business development approach and what Airgility looks for in a partnership.
SHOWNOTES
In this episode, Pramod Raheja joins the show. He is the CEO of Airgility and an aerospace engineering graduate from University of Maryland. Pramod co-founded Airgility together with Evandro Valente, another University of Maryland graduate. As an experienced entrepreneur with demonstrated success in leadership roles and a passion for growing businesses, Pramod has helped Airgility bring new and innovative service offerings to market. He has over 30 years of aviation and aerospace operations experience and a comprehensive understanding of technology at a tactical and strategic level, focusing on business development, revenue generation, and profitability.
BUSINESS MARRIAGE WITH CEO, EVANDRO VALENTE
Evandro Valente is a former Engineering Lecturer of 12 years at A.J. Clark School of Engineering at University of Maryland College Park. He is the CTO and inventor of Airgility’s intellectual property, leading the company’s vision through technical development and product design. He heads innovation and design, manufacturing, test and evaluation, and flight testing while supporting business development along with the CEO, Pramod Raheja.
HOW AIRGILITY STARTED
- In 2017, Airgility launched. Merging their passion and background in aerospace and dedication to create social impact, Airgility created aerial unmanned systems that can fly anywhere (including areas where there is limited or no GPS access and in confined areas). In that same year, Airgility received their first grant, the Maryland Industrial Partnership Grant, from Maryland Technology Enterprise Institute, validating their technology potential, and have received many subsequent grants.
- When they started, they had zero capital and a partial prototype. They were not sold on the idea of bootstrapping, so they decided to go after dilutive grants that would help them get research and development funding. Fast-forward to 2018, they received funding through the Early Stage Technology Fund from TEDCO, an organization in the State of Maryland.
- About a year into the business, Airgility was one of two UAV companies picked for the highly selective and competitive Department of Homeland Security’s Innovation Smart Cities Program. Through Smart Cities, the end goal is to commercialize a product. After the program, Airgility started receiving pre-orders from the Department of Homeland Security.
ABOUT AIRGILITY & ITS MISSION
- Airgility creates drone platforms that do not rely on human control or GPS information. Airgility utilizes AI to conduct important missions including search and rescue, border protection, medical supply delivery to remote areas, and many more which enable them to map areas, track objects, and provide analytical feedback in real-time.
BUSINESS PARTNERSHIP, GRANTS, AND PROGRAMS
- Airgility was selected by National Science Foundation (NSF) for a very competitive contract for its Artificial Intelligence Manufacturing Focus, 3D printed drones.
- In March 2020, Airigility was awarded an Air Force AFWERX SBIR Contract for their AI-based security solution. A month later, in conjunction with Mass Challenge, Airgility was selected to join the inaugural accelerator cohort at U.S. Air Force Labs. They were the very first class of this program and one of only 10 startups to participate in the U.S. Air Force Lab with Mass Challenge, a 2 year pilot project to accelerate technological development.
AIRGILITY WITH AUTONOMOUS TECHNOLOGY THAT CAN SAVE LIVES
- Airgility builds AI-powered drones utilized for public safety, security and defense, and the commercial sector, capable of both outdoor and indoor use, that are autonomous and self-directed in flight.
- These drones leverage AI and machine learning to determine what they should do, when they should do it, and how they should complete the task.
- Airgility drones have a unique algorithm that allows ultimate efficiency necessary for effective prioritization of tasks in emergency situations and provides information in real-time that improves decision-making in the critical moments of disaster.
DS-1 DRONE TO HELP THE FIGHT AGAINST COVID-19
- Airgility partnered with REMUV LLC to develop a robotic solution to help combat COVID-19 using their DS-1 Drone. The DS-1 has UVC light technology which enables chemical free disinfecting in indoor and outdoor spaces.
AIRGILITY IS STAYING INNOVATIVE
- Airgility has an intentional strategy to scale up. They are focused on delivering the performance expectations of their products and services. Most importantly, the research and development focus the company has keeps them innovative.
To know more about Airgility’s dynamic team, and their great services and products, visit their website at https://www.airgility.co/.
You can also connect with them on their social media platforms
