The Nîmes-based company Drone Geofencing at CES in Las Vegas.

Drone Geofencing, based in Nîmes since 2019, was part of a delegation from the Occitanie Region to CES in Las Vegas in early January., one of the world's largest tech trade shows. A way to boost sales of its drone management software in airspace.

«We were the only company from the Gard region at CES in Las Vegas,» proudly announces Samuel Brau, co-founder of Drone Geofencing with his wife Anne, upon his return from the United States. Founded in 2019 in Nîmes, Drone Geofencing (4 employees) publishes software that simplifies the administrative procedures for drone fleet owners.

Anne and Samuel Brau participated for the first time in the largest consumer trade show dedicated to high-tech products and digital innovation, which ran until January 8th. "The Bic Innov'Up incubator (CCI Gard) and the Occitanie Region informed us of the opportunity to exhibit at CES in Las Vegas. Having already been there in 2016 with another company, we decided to go because we were aware of the benefits of such participation," explains Samuel Brau.

Participation in such an event is considered strategic for the development of the start-up. «Our primary target markets are France, Germany, Spain, and Poland. Many representatives from major French companies attended CES. They were very receptive to the latest French innovations, which represents a unique opportunity for our company,» the CEO continued. «Attending CES facilitates export expansion: export assistance from the target country, support for setting up operations (premises, staff, etc.). We were thus able to schedule meetings with representatives from France as well as Germany, where we plan to establish a presence,» he added.
Accelerated marketing

Named GestaDrone, the drone management software is composed of several modules adapted to each of the regulatory aspects. The first, dedicated to operations, ensures the operator's regulatory compliance. The second verifies that the remote pilot possesses the necessary skills and certifications to carry out their assigned missions. The third assesses the airworthiness of the drone fleet, and the fourth examines the authorizations required for each flight, based on air restriction zones.

Drone Geofencing primarily targets the market of commercial companies that operate more than five drones.. And they are becoming more and more numerous: "To date, nearly 20,000 drones are registered and their number continues to increase, by 30 % per year," explains Samuel Brau.

In just a few months, the company acquired around fifteen clients, including Enedis. Building on these initial successes, Drone Geofencing aims to develop the marketing of its product in France and internationally. «"In Europe, the market is estimated at 1.1 billion euros," the executive concluded.

Hubert Vialatte (Correspondent in Montpellier)