Our investment in Hangar — automating aerial data acquisition and analysis
We are strong believers in the drone ecosystem. Our investments include CyPhy Works, AirMap, Drone Racing League, and companies utilizing drones in various ways.
Today we are excited to announce our investment in Hangar. Lux Capital led a $6.5M round of financing in Hangar and I have joined their Board of Directors. Our partners included Fontinalis Partners, Haystack Partners, and other angel investors.
Hangar was founded earlier this year by Colin Guinn and Jeff DeCoux in Austin, TX. While Jeff is a seasoned software executive and a serial entrepreneur, Colin is one of the most recognizable faces in the drone industry. Colin was previously the CEO of DJI North America and CRO of 3D Robotics. Much of the rest of the Hangar team are also drone industry veterans. I have known some of them for quite a while and have observed them bring about the drone revolution in the US over the last decade, and now I am excited to partner with them on this new journey.
Hangar will provide high-quality aerial data across multiple industries more consistently and affordably than ever before, utilizing a combination of advanced software and drone flight technology. This announcement comes immediately following the launch of the new Part 107 regulation for commercial drone use in the U.S., which has dramatically lowered the barrier for businesses to adopt aerial technology. The most exciting opportunities in the space are now in commercial uses of drones.
Over the years at Lux we observed consumer drones become highly sophisticated aerial imaging and data acquisition systems — with sophisticated ground controls, onboard imaging and processing capabilities, and autonomous flight. Hangar is building a software platform that ties the various pieces together to fully harness the potential of such drones in commercial and industrial settings — by automating otherwise tedious, manual, and expensive processes.
Hangar will have a lot more to announce in the coming weeks. Keep eyes out for that! In the meantime, Hangar is inviting DJI, 3DR and Yuneec drone owners to sign up for Hangar’s private beta at www.hangar.com/beta,available to select users and expected to open to the broader community later in 2016.
Let the drones fly!
