The Idea at 10,000 Feet

When I first started seriously thinking about launching a drone tech company, I wasn’t dreaming of glossy investor decks or high-profile exits. I was thinking about flood zones in the Midwest. I was thinking about farmland in crisis. I was thinking about the parts of the world that can’t afford inefficiency, and the people who live there.

The aerospace sector has always been full of potential, but what gets me up in the morning is not just cool hardware. It’s the idea that we can put that hardware to work solving real problems. Whether it’s reforesting areas hit by wildfires, optimizing irrigation to save water, or supporting emergency teams with aerial data, drones have the power to change how we care for people and the planet. Building a company around that mission is both the hardest and most rewarding thing I’ve ever done.

The Groundwork is the Hard Part

Starting any business is a challenge, but aerospace startups come with their own version of Everest. Regulatory hurdles, expensive R&D, complex supply chains, and a long sales cycle are just the beginning. You need patience, resilience, and a strong stomach for delayed gratification.

The mission-driven piece adds another layer. When you’re committed to doing more than turning a profit, your decisions get harder. You pass on deals that don’t align with your values. You prioritize partnerships with nonprofits or public agencies that may not have the deepest pockets. You invest more time in building systems that are ethical, sustainable, and reliable, even if it slows your growth in the short term.

But here’s the thing: none of that makes me question what we’re doing. If anything, it strengthens our foundation. I want to build a company that lasts, not just one that scales. That means we don’t cut corners. We focus on the long-term impact as much as the short-term gain.

Why the Mission Matters

For me, the mission is not marketing. It’s personal. I grew up in a family of builders, people who took pride in leaving things better than they found them. That mindset is baked into how I lead. I believe technology should serve people, not just impress them. When we develop drone systems, I’m not just thinking about specs and flight time. I’m thinking about how this tool can help a farmer conserve water, or how it can help scientists track a disappearing habitat, or how it might spot the first signs of wildfire before it spreads.

That’s the power of drone technology. It’s not a gadget. It’s a platform for solutions. And if we get it right, we can help solve some of the most urgent problems facing our world.

Lessons from the Climb

Building this company has taught me a lot. First, talent matters more than titles. The people who thrive here are the ones who are relentless about learning, who ask good questions, and who believe in the mission as much as I do. Aerospace is a fast-moving field, and you need people who can think on their feet and adapt.

Second, investors are partners, not just funders. The right investors don’t just write checks. They ask hard questions, challenge your assumptions, and help you stay focused. I’ve been lucky to work with people who understand that mission and margin can coexist, and who believe that doing good is good business.

Third, failure is part of the deal. We’ve had prototypes that didn’t fly, code that didn’t work, and timelines that slipped. But every misstep is an opportunity. If you’re not failing once in a while, you’re probably not pushing hard enough.

What I’d Say to Other Founders

If you’re thinking about launching a mission-driven company in drone tech or aerospace, here’s my advice: know your “why.” Tech alone won’t keep you going when things get tough. Your purpose will.

Build slowly and intentionally. It’s tempting to chase growth at all costs, especially when funding is available. But fast growth without values is just speed. Build something you’re proud of.

And finally, surround yourself with people who keep you grounded. For me, that’s my team, my family, and a few mentors who aren’t afraid to tell me the truth. They remind me that this work matters, and that I don’t have to carry it all alone.

Flight Paths That Matter

At the end of the day, what I want most is to build something that outlives me. Not in a legacy sense, but in a practical one. I want the company we’re building to continue solving problems for decades to come. I want us to be known not just for what we built, but for how we built it.

That’s the beauty of mission-driven entrepreneurship in aerospace. The altitude is high, the conditions are tough, but the view is worth it. And if you’re lucky, the work you do up there helps someone else down here on the ground.