Heads in the Clouds: Physical Product Innovation Success Stories

It's difficult to ignore the innovation in the area of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV's) and South Africa is not sitting back!

We have the opportunity to share just two of the local success stories with you:

We've confirmed Duran De Villiers from SteadiDrone ( http://www.steadidrone.com ), talking about getting your Product 'off the ground'!

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From Duran:
More a Q & A than a presentation, Duran from SteadiDrone share's he's experience in setting up a leading international drone manufacturing business from scratch, with no funding, in the small coastal town of Knysna. From concept, through to the final product, manufacturing, 3D printing, moulding and the business side of starting and running your business.

Background:
SteadiDrone develops, manufactures and export advanced small unmanned aerial systems, commonly known as drones. Their products are used around the globe by many different clients in an almost endless variety of applications and uses. From aerial photography and filming, to nature conservation, security, surveillance, mapping, agriculture, research, education, commercial and industrial inspection, deliveries and many more ground breaking tasks, SteadiDrone also was the first drone system to delivery anything with a drone, Pizza and bear! Proudly made in South Africa. Duran, the founder of SteadiDrone, is completely self taught, never having the opportunity to have any form of formal tertiary education apart from high school. With a natural business edge and a quick thinker, with a drive to always keep busy and move forward, Duran is very much a 'big picture' type of guy with an ability to pay attention to the smaller details. Apart from SteadiDrone, Duran also started, ran and sold he's previous companies, Motion Pixel, which dissolved into SteadiDrone, and Camera Light (www.cameralight.co.za (http://cameralight.co.za/)) which was sold and still runs as SA's premier photographic lighting online retailer.

AND

Alan Ball and Saadiq Jacobs, the creators of EchoQuad (www.flyingrobot.co (http://www.flyingrobot.co/)) to speak to us about the amazing success they've had with their respective UAV and FPV racing products and businesses.

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From Alan:
Flying Robot also produces its own range of products. EchoQuad frames being their top seller. Pure carbon fibre frames which designed and built to survive the high speed crashes associated with racing these drones.

Background:
Alan has been flying radio control planes since the age of 13. At the age of 17 he had his Glider Pilots License and Private Pilots License at 19. He found First Person View flying 5 years ago and has been hooked every since. After getting very frustrated with the availability and prices of parts and spares in SA. He started Flying Robot in February 2015. Flying Robot sources only the best mini quad racing parts and accessories. At prices matching overseas websites.

A very big thank you to our sponsors Auxiliary (www.aux.co.za (http://aux.co.za/)) and Bandwidth Barn (www.bandwidthbarn.org (http://bandwidthbarn.org/)) for supporting this event!