New partnership brings together leading drone design and technology leaders to revolutionize last-mile logistics

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — In an exciting development for the future of autonomous logistics, blueflite, a leader in cutting-edge drone technology and winner of the GENIUS NY $1 million grand prize at the 2023 Pitch Finals, have announced a strategic partnership with DroneUp, one of America’s foremost autonomous drone delivery companies. This collaboration is set to redefine the standards of last-mile delivery services.

This new partnership comes after months of joint collaboration and on the heels of DroneUp’s recent unveiling of its innovative Drone Autonomous Ecosystem, a platform that promises to revolutionize the delivery industry. Blueflite is honored to be chosen as the drone design partner for this trailblazing initiative. With its advanced drone capabilities, including internal package storage and high-speed flight, blueflite’s technology is a perfect fit for DroneUp’s Ecosystem, ensuring quick, safe, and reliable deliveries within a 15-mile radius of partnered vendors. As a US company, blueflite showcases its commitment to American manufacturing and quality, working with carefully selected US components and suppliers.

“Our alliance with DroneUp heralds a transformative era for last-mile delivery,” said Frank Noppel, CEO of blueflite. “By pooling our resources and expertise, we’re not just advancing drone delivery technology; we’re making it more accessible and efficient for everyone, setting new industry standards along the way.”

“Our selection of blueflite as a partner was based on their profound innovation capabilities and technological excellence,” said John Vernon, DroneUp Chief Technology Officer. “Their vision aligns with ours, and we’re excited about the future of our collaboration, as it strengthens the backbone of our Drone Autonomous Ecosystem.”

This partnership comes at a time when drone delivery is on the rise across the United States and retailers, QSRs and c-stores look for new, innovative ways to put goods in their consumers’ hands at a fraction of the traditional delivery cost. Together, blueflite and DroneUp look to push the boundaries of what’s possible in drone delivery and autonomous logistics.

About blueflite
Founded in 2018, blueflite designs and manufactures advanced drone systems and software for an integrated approach to cargo delivery. The company’s patented platform handles all aspects of logistics drone operations and provides a one-stop solution to solve logistics challenges globally. The unique, all-electrical drone design has vertical take-off and landing capabilities, advanced maneuverability, and is built without compromise – to meet the rigorous demands of commercial operations. Whether packages are large or small, blueflite’s drone-based platform is built to scale in both size and quantity. For more information, visit www.blueflite.com.

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In the heart of Syracuse, New York, the GENIUS NY accelerator has become a thriving hub for innovation in the uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) industry. As the program propels emerging UAS startups towards success, these companies are not only revolutionizing the skies but also playing a significant role in boosting the local economy by creating job opportunities. The teams of GENIUS NY Cohort 7 have wasted no time in bringing in talented local professionals to support their growing companies.

Aloft, creator of fleet management software, hired Emily Limpert in September of 2023 as Director of Business Development. In reflecting on her evolution at the company so far, Emily noted, “I have unlocked my ability to close deals. Aloft makes it easy because the product is so good.” She looks forward to the continuing technological innovations developing in Syracuse and how that plays into her work at Aloft. “I plan to keep closing deals and help develop a roadmap that ensures customer success,” she said, “I think the aviation community in Syracuse is valuable and we benefit from having a strong network here.” Asked about something she has learned about the drone space in her time at Aloft, “Drones can replace dirty and dangerous jobs.”

Over at Blueflite, Josh Greenway joined the team in October 2023 as a Flight Systems Engineer for the drone-based logistics platform company. While the most memorable experience for him was Blueflite winning the $1 million grand prize at the GENIUS NY Pitch Finals event, he has been inspired by how much the GENIUS NY program wants to help all the companies succeed. “Being supported by so many that truly want to help, makes anything seem possible,” said Josh. He has found the Syracuse innovation ecosystem to be “extremely helpful and full of potential.” Asked about what he hopes for the future of Blueflite, he replied “More time in Syracuse!” With the Blueflite team often at their Michigan headquarters, Josh plays an important role maintaining the downtown office at The Tech Garden. “I’m excited to see us grow here in Syracuse.”

VOTIX, a GENIUS NY cohort 7 team that specializes in software for drone orchestration and autonomy, brought in Mirco Kunz as their Business Development Specialist in September 2023. Mirco, reflecting on his role and Syracuse said, “Prior to coming to GENIUS NY I was unaware of the innovation ecosystem that Syracuse had to offer, but I was pleasantly surprised with how friendly and open the ecosystem is. I believe Syracuse has a great future ahead with startups and other industries coming here.” He is currently working on business development in the Drone as First Responder sector, which has him focusing on building relationships with local Syracuse area police departments. “I’ve been able to develop so much knowledge about the startup world and also about the drone industry,” said Mirco, “And I’m very excited for this next year as I grow with the company and see all the things VOTIX has in store in the near future.”

Voltela, who provides guaranteed network connectivity for unlimited safety of autonomous drone operations, has also recently hired two employees locally. Raghuram Voruganti was hired as a Software Engineer, and Shilpa Sainath Wade as a Data Engineer.

GENIUS NY’s unique model has not only accelerated the growth of these UAS startups but has also energized job creation, further solidifying Syracuse’s position as an important national tech hub. As these cohort companies receive the support to grow, so does the local economy. Thanks to the dedication and passion of individuals like Emily, Josh, and Mirco, the UAS and tech ecosystem in Syracuse and the Central New York region continues to emerge as a top destination for innovation.

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March 8 marks International Women’s Day, and GENIUS NY has a lot of incredible women to recognize. International Women’s Day serves as a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. It also marks a call to action for accelerating gender parity and fostering a more inclusive world.

In recent years, the uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) industry has experienced exponential growth, revolutionizing various sectors from agriculture to healthcare. Even in just seven years with GENIUS NY, the program has seen a 50% increase in applications each year. However, despite this rapid expansion, the industry continues to face a significant gender gap.

According to a report by the Aerospace Industries Association, women represent only about 10-15% of the aerospace workforce, including the UAS sector. On top of this, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reports that only 5% of certified drone pilots in the United States are women.

Encouraging and promoting the involvement of women in this field is not only a matter of equality but also a strategic imperative for fostering innovation, diversity, and sustainable growth.

The GENIUS NY accelerator boasts strong leadership from women like Kara Jones, Director of GENIUS NY, who has been instrumental since the program’s inception in 2017. “We take pride in the contributions of all women on the GENIUS NY staff. Additionally, we’re committed to fostering greater diversity across the board, including among our applicants, selected teams, mentors, and advisors,” said Jones, “I’ve witnessed how women bring unique perspectives and talents to the UAS space and it’s time to acknowledge that women are undeniably badass and belong here.”

Closing the gender gap in the UAS and drone industry requires concerted efforts from industry stakeholders, policymakers, educational institutions, and the broader community.

Jennifer Sertl, Marketing Director at Circle Optics, a GENIUS NY portfolio company, was asked what steps she thinks organizations can take to create more inclusive and supportive environments for women in UAS. “At Circle Optics, I worked with our COO Ian Gauger to create a behavioral brand: innovation, synergy and know-how that outlines our core values and allows us to interview people through a filter that is based on ideology. We hope this process allows us to attract and retain the best technical engineers and minimize unconscious cognitive bias.

Organizations like Women and Drones and the impactful efforts of figures like DroneGirl cannot be overlooked. Their tireless advocacy, support, and representation play a crucial role in amplifying the voices and visibility of women in the UAS industry. Their work not only inspires but also paves the way for greater gender diversity and inclusivity.

Elise Hereth, Operations Supervisor at NUAIR says, “I’m retired from the Air Force and was hired by NUAIR because of my technical background as an operator and leader using radar/sensor systems. When I signed up for the USAF in the 80’s it was even more rare for women.” Hereth goes on to say, “I’d advise women of any age, to pursue what interests them, learn as much as you can, and make yourself a valuable team member. Tech fields are a great place for women to be and I’ve been able to be part of professional inclusive teams, both in and out of the military. UAS and aviation is underrepresented by women who have tremendous opportunities to learn and to lead.”

GENIUS NY is committed to fostering diversity by actively seeking and welcoming startup teams led by women to apply. With applications now open, prioritizing the recruitment of women-led teams stands as one of our foremost objectives. To learn more and apply to GENIUS NY click here. You can also refer a women-led team by clicking here.

By fostering an inclusive and supportive environment, promoting STEM education for girls, and actively recruiting and retaining women in the workforce, we can create a more equitable and prosperous future for the industry as a whole.

Now, let’s shine a spotlight on some of the outstanding women contributing to and working in the UAS industry. If you weren’t mentioned this time, know that we recognize and stand behind you. A heartfelt thank you to all the incredible women out there!

GENIUS NY Companies:
Jennifer Sertl – Marketing Director, Circle Optics
Mariah Murray – VP of Operations, AVSS
Irina Statch – Supply Chain Manager, AVSS
Oana Andreea Jinga – Cofounder, Dexory
Izabela Potasz – Chief of Staff, VUMO AI
Emily Limpert – Director of Business Development, Aloft | Part 107 Pilot
Alicia Titus – Software Engineer, ResilienX
Maria Fernanda Jiménez – Marketing Intern, VOTIX

GENIUS NY Staff:
Kara Jones – Director
Rebecca Title-Aretsky – Marketing and Events Coordinator
Becca Breeden – Entrepreneurial Manager
Beverly Mack – Operations Manager

Partners at NUAIR:
Melinda Marion – Director Business Development, NUAIR |Private Pilot and Part 107 Pilot
Megan Crout– Director of Marketing, NUAIR | Part 107 Pilot
Emily DeMarche – Chief Financial Officer, NUAIR
Melanie Kalisz – Revenue Life Cycle Manager, NUAIR
Elise Hereth – Operations Supervisor, NUAIR
Judy Van Wie – Director of Finance
Kristina Williams – Business Operations Manager

GENIUS NY Evaluators & Finals Judges:
Marcia Mitchell – New York Ventures
Maria Tranquilli – Southwest Mission Acceleration Center (MAC)
Gretchen Wilson – Commercial Drone Alliance
Eszter Kovacs – Murzilli Consulting

GENIUS NY VC Partners:
Charlotte Japp – Global Head of Platform, ff Venture Capital
Nandini Agarwal – Senior Associate, ff Venture Capital
Olivia Goldstein – CEO, Upstate Venture Connect
Noa Simons – President and CEO, Upstate Capital Association of New York
Jennifer Tegan – President, NY Ventures
Elizabeth Reynolds – Starburst Aerospace

Thank you to Empire State Development for funding GENIUS NY:
Governor Hochul, Governor, New York State
Hope Knight, Commissioner, Empire State Development

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The Central New York State region, an area encompassing the city of Syracuse and its surroundings, is emerging as a world-class epicenter for innovation in Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UAS) and Advanced Air Mobility (AAM). The area has one of seven Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) designated test sites, a 240-mile Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) testing corridor and AAM capabilities that are at the leading edge of this growing industry. Syracuse Hancock International Airport (SYR) was one of the first airports in the country to make AAM considerations in its masterplan.

“We are the only airport in North America that has completely integrated drones operating among commercial traffic. It just makes sense to do the proof of concept for infrastructure at an airport like this,” said Jason Terreri, Executive Director of Syracuse Regional Airport Authority.

SYR is home to the first of its kind NUAIR Center of Excellence at SYR, where UAS technologies can be tested and developed in the regional commercial airspace. NUAIR President and CEO Ken Stewart said New York’s assets and progressive attitude in aviation creates an ecosystem where UAS companies can thrive. “We have GENIUS NY. We have The Tech Garden. We have NUAIR. All these capabilities are helping us develop an ecosystem,” Stewart said. “The companies are coming here from international locations to be here because this is kind of the hub. They can now come here, be based here and get their technology up and running in a commercial aspect.”

Stewart said their goal is to get drone technologies adopted, getting companies to relocate and establish Central New York as a global center for UAS and AAM technologies.

Enter GENIUS NY. GENIUS NY is a year-long, in-person accelerator sponsored by New York’s Empire State Development and operated by CenterState CEO at The Tech Garden incubator in downtown Syracuse. The program is one of a kind and the world’s largest accelerator focused on UAS startups. It invests $3 million annually into seed-stage companies focused on UAS, automation and AAM. Five finalists are selected for the program each year, and one company is chosen for a $1 million grand prize, with the other four receiving $500,000 each. GENIUS NY partners closely with NUAIR and SYR, providing the program’s portfolio companies with exclusive access to advanced industry opportunities and networks.

“It’s a really exciting time to be in Syracuse,” said Josh Ziering of GENIUS NY cohort seven team, Aloft. “If we wanted to do it now’s the time, and if we wanted to be in a certain place, Syracuse is the spot. We’re looking forward to growing our team here and ultimately building out. Syracuse is the tip of the spear for Aloft.”

Participation in the GENIUS NY program provides a unique opportunity to be a part of this leading, one-of-a-kind UAS ecosystem growing strong in Central New York. Applications are now open for the eighth cohort of the accelerator, and are being accepted until May 15, 2024. You can learn more and apply at geniusny.com.

“We’re looking for startups interested in pushing the bounds of current UAS technologies in Central New York,” said Kara Jones, director of GENIUS NY. “The region’s growing innovation ecosystem offers early-stage companies a unique opportunity to work collaboratively with industry leaders while advancing their own technologies. The targeted resources awarded to GENIUS NY companies enable them to scale faster, generate revenue sooner, and create jobs for the local economy.”

GENIUS NY, NUAIR and other GENIUS NY companies will be at AUVSI XPONENTIAL this April in San Diego at the New York Pavilion booth. To get engaged in the New York ecosystem or apply to GENIUS NY visit, Why Central New York? | GENIUS NY.

CenterState CEO recently interviewed Ken Stewart and Jason Terreri about this topic for the Talk CNY presented by NBT Bank podcast. You can hear more of what they have to say here: Listen to Podcast | Watch on YouTube | Read the Transcript

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The World’s Largest Business Accelerator for Uncrewed Systems is Accepting Applications through May 15

GENIUS NY is Supported by “CNY Rising” – The Region’s Comprehensive Strategy to Revitalize Communities and Grow the Economy

Empire State Development (ESD) today announced that GENIUS NY – the world’s largest business accelerator focused on uncrewed aerial systems – is now accepting applications for the eighth round of the year-long program. The in-residence accelerator, operated by CenterState CEO in downtown Syracuse, will invest more than $3 million in five finalist companies, including a $1 million grand prize. The program also offers business resources, programming, mentorship and networking opportunities to assist innovative startups with the tools they need to take advantage of emerging opportunities. GENIUS NY participants are required to operate their business in Central New York for at least one year. The program is funded through the CNY Rising Upstate Revitalization Initiative (URI), the region’s award-winning strategic plan to generate robust economic growth and community development.

Empire State Development President, CEO & Commissioner Hope Knight said, “The GENIUS NY accelerator is fueling New York State’s thriving uncrewed aerial systems industry. This renowned program is attracting forward-thinking innovators from around the world to Central New York and ensuring that their pioneering ideas take flight thanks to the area’s unmatched UAS assets and infrastructure.”

Applications are being accepted at geniusny.com through May 15, 2024, from tech startups focused on uncrewed aerial systems, automation, A.I. and advanced air mobility (AAM). Subsets may include precision and remote sensing, smart city applications, data collection and analytics, guidance or communication systems, and sensors, among other technological categories.

“We’re looking for startups interested in pushing the bounds of current UAS technologies in Central New York.” said Kara Jones, director of GENIUS NY. “The region’s growing innovation ecosystem offers early-stage companies a unique opportunity to work collaboratively with industry leaders while advancing their own technologies. The targeted resources awarded to GENIUS NY companies enable them to scale faster, generate revenue sooner, and create jobs for the local economy.”

Applications are evaluated by a panel of judges, and semi-finalists will be selected to present demos and pitches this summer. Five companies will advance to participate in the program, which is structured as a unique programmed incubator and accelerator experience. The selected teams will enter the in-person accelerator at CenterState CEO’s The Tech Garden later this summer, where they will be immersed in the incubator’s events, resource pool, and mentoring. Applicants should be prepared to relocate to Central New York to participate in the program starting in August 2024.

To date, the program has attracted more than 37 startups to Central New York since its inception in 2017. To date, nearly $21 million has been invested in the innovative teams, which have gone on to raise more than $100 million in venture capital.

Round seven winner, blueflite received the top prize of $1 million in October 2023. The company has since seen significant growth, hired local staff in Syracuse and partnered with past GENIUS NY team AVSS to integrate parachute recovery systems in their drones.

Read the full press release here.

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Three million dollars in a single night. New York state made that direct investment in the uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) economy last week for the seventh time. Five competing UAS companies pitched live to a crowd of hundreds of people and a panel of judges, making the case that their technology is industry-disrupting and that Syracuse and Central New York is the place to be.

This is the world’s largest UAS accelerator, GENIUS NY. Based in Syracuse and administered by CenterState CEO, GENIUS NY is keystone in New York state’s innovation ecosystem strategy. Now in its seventh round, the accelerator has helped establish New York state as a global leader in the UAS space, with the hub of this world-leading innovation along the Central New York and Mohawk Valley corridor.

This year’s grand prize winner, blueflite, offers a drone-based logistics platform. Its patented, unique, and all-electrical drone design has vertical take-off and landing capabilities, advanced maneuverability, and is built to meet the rigorous demands of commercial operations.

“In Syracuse, we’ve discovered a unique ecosystem perfectly suited for blueflite’s ambitions,” said blueflite cofounder Frank Noppel. “Firstly, we’ve found opportunity to collaborate with top-tier manufacturing facilities for batch production using advanced 3D printing technology while adhering to the most stringent aerospace standards. Secondly, Syracuse provides access to the world’s most advanced drone test facility, which is required for our ongoing drone production and R&D efforts. Lastly, the city’s thriving community of drone tech companies that we can integrate onto our drone platform makes it one of the most competitive drone solutions out there. Together, these elements make Syracuse the ideal fit for blueflite.”

While $1 million is the grand prize, it’s not the only prize. The GENIUS NY program, administered by CenterState CEO and funded by Empire State Development, New York State’s primary economic development entity, distributes a total of $3 million across the five teams. The four other finalists each received a $500,000 investment:

• Aloft provides software solutions for individual aircraft and full fleet management to make drone operation safer and more valuable.
• Greenjets creates electric propulsors that make drones safer, quieter and more sustainable.
• Voltela provides software that ensures a reliable and consistent communication network for uncrewed aerial systems.
• VOTIX supplies a hardware-agnostic platform that enables drone automation, orchestration and remote operation.

“Uncrewed systems are the future of aviation, with far reaching applications that touch so many other industries and aspects of our daily lives,” said Kara Jones, CenterState CEO director of GENIUS NY. “From autonomous flights for travel to improving how we transport goods, to improving processes around data collection and inspections, to health care, defense and more – UAS is transforming how we live and work. These GENIUS NY teams are at the leading edge of their technologies and have demonstrated their strong potential for growth and success. As market demands evolve and technology advances, these and other UAS companies have access to the most robust concentration of firms, infrastructure and investments anywhere in the country, here in New York.”

The partnership by the State of New York and its investment in the UAS innovation ecosystem is truly unique. The state has made major investments in the uncrewed aircraft systems industry, including an initial investment of $35 million to develop a 50-mile, UAS flight traffic management corridor; $33 million through seven rounds of GENIUS NY competition, including $21 million in direct investment in 37 GENIUS NY teams, and $16.6 million in ongoing investments for the expansion of CenterState CEO’s business incubator in downtown Syracuse to help grow its UAS industry efforts.

This public sector support has helped make New York state a leader in the work being done to safely integrate drones into the national airspace and enable the next phase of Advanced Air Mobility operations. With its concentration of unique, innovative and complimentary businesses all choosing it as a base of their operations, the Central New York region cements itself as the place to move the UAS industry forward. It’s an environment conducive to collaboration and synergy, especially among GENIUS NY teams.

GENIUS NY’s most recent winner blueflite has already found partners in past GENIUS NY finalists. They’re working with Wonder Robotics to launch delivery drones and partnered with AVSS for innovation and drone safety. By pooling their expertise, resources, and technology, these startups are driving progress in UAS technology, safety, and operational efficiency. New York State, with its commitment to fostering UAS innovation, serves as an ideal incubator for these collaborative endeavors. GENIUS NY provides a nurturing environment where startups can leverage their collective talents and propel the UAS industry to new heights, ultimately shaping the future of autonomous aerial systems.

Josh Ziering, Aloft founder and winner of $500,000 said, “It’s an exciting time to be in Syracuse. It’s why we’re moving the whole company here. If we wanted to do it, now’s the time, and if we wanted to be in a certain place Syracuse is the spot. We’re looking forward to growing our team here and ultimately building out. Syracuse is the tip of the spear for Aloft.”

To learn more about GENIUS NY and the investments it’s made in UAS startups, visit www.geniusny.com. To read Governor Hochul’s official press release, click here.

About GENIUS NY: GENIUS NY is the world’s largest business accelerator program focused on uncrewed aerial systems, robotics and IoT. In addition to those direct investments, the program offers incubator space, company resources, programming, business connections and mentoring to finalists. Participants are required to operate their business in Central New York for at least one year.

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Blueflite Wins GENIUS NY $1 Million Grand Prize; Four Other Finalists Receive $500,000 Investments as Part of $3 Million Awarded to Innovative Companies that Will Now Operate in Syracuse

Investment Complements “CNY Rising” – The Region’s Comprehensive Strategy to Revitalize Communities and Grow the Economy

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Get to know the GENIUS NY Cohort 7 teams in our weekly profiles leading up to the Pitch Finals on Oct. 4, 2023.

It was one of Anmol Manohar’s own designs that made him realize how much noise is keeping uncrewed aerial systems (UAS), or drones, from reaching the mass market. In 2017, Manohar was working on the Rolls-Royce Air Taxi when he was confronted with just how loud electric aircraft can be. “Intuitively, you think of electric aircraft as quiet,” Manohar said. “But actually, that’s not the case. Electric aircraft are typically much heavier than their traditional counterparts because they’re carrying batteries, and they still rely on accelerating air to produce thrust.”

Hearing the noise from that electric engine caused Manohar to realize that unless electric aircraft, and drones specifically, become quieter, they are not going to be embraced by the market or the public. But that’s not the only roadblock he saw for the UAS industry. When Manohar started taking designs to air shows and other places, he noticed how negatively the public reacted to propellers and other drone features that looked dangerous. “I realized that the perception of safety of these aircraft is just as crucial for their success as actual safety.”

With the noise and safety perception challenges in mind, Manohar started Greenjets to create electric propulsors that address those issues. Greenjets is one of five finalists in CenterState CEO’s GENIUS NY program this year. Their vision of sustainable aviation starts with drones. Manohar said drones have the power to be transformative on a large scale but has yet to reach that potential. It’s what Manohar calls the one to one hundred problem. “The drone sector has proven that the technology can be transformative. It has proven that it can be regulated, and it can be operated safely. What it hasn’t proven yet is [if] it can go from a few drones being demonstrated in a few very specific use cases to being all around us, and really having that transformative impact,” Manohar said.

The Greenjets team believes a clean and quiet propulsor is essential to solving that problem, speaking to the company’s broader goal of creating a path towards sustainable aviation. Manohar said many consider electric autonomous aviation the third revolution in aerospace technology, after the invention of flight and the invention of the jet engine. He said the industry is only just beginning to imagine the possible uses for this technology. “We don’t really know the scale of transformation this technology can bring, in the same way we didn’t know what the jet engine would do,” Manohar said. “We are playing a part in this making this future real, and we are hoping it would do more than anything we can imagine right now.”

Find out more about the Greenjets technology, along with the four other GENIUS NY Cohort 7 finalist companies, as they compete for a chance to win the $1 million prize at Innovation Night featuring GENIUS NY Pitch Finals on Oct. 4 in Downtown Syracuse. Get a chance to meet and network with other emerging startups in Central New York from the Syracuse Surge Accelerator and The Tech Garden. Tickets are free but registration is required. Learn more and get tickets here!

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Get to know the GENIUS NY Cohort 7 teams in our weekly profiles leading up to the Pitch Finals on Oct. 4, 2023.

Edwin Sanchez grew up during the Colombian Conflict, with drug cartels, guerilla groups and the Colombian government all violently competing for power in the country. Very often, civilians were the victims. Sanchez said the violence created an environment where young people didn’t expect to live past their adolescent years. Despite the violence that surrounded him, Sanchez was nurtured by entrepreneurial parents who encouraged his passions, both of which were essential to his outlook toward the future.

“That creates this mindset in which you live one day at a time. When you actually decide to do good, you say, OK, if I have one day to live, I want to do the best day. I want to be the best and give the best. Day by day, you start developing this, and that turns into resilience. I’m sure that I gained this tremendous resilience throughout that very time.”

Sanchez graduated from college in Colombia with a software engineering degree and immigrated to the United State in 2001. His early career was in the corporate world, working in a variety of roles in marketing, sales, licensing and consulting. It was during this time he met his partner Daniel Echeverri, a vendor for one of the companies that Sanchez owns. Echeverri is an expert in networking and cybersecurity, but he’s also a professional drone racer. It was through Echeverri that Sanchez became interested in uncrewed aerial systems (UAS).

Now combining his entrepreneurial drive, software engineering background, and love for drones, Sanchez is the CEO of VOTIX, one of five GENIUS NY finalists. VOTIX’s software enables pilots of any drone to safely and reliably manage, automate and control their machine remotely. The idea came from one of Sanchez’s other interests: archeology. He remembers watching a webcam of ancient Egyptian ruins. “I thought, ‘Hey, what if I actually bring this webcam on board [a] drone, and I can see it. Somebody can actually man the drone, do a tour and show me in real time a closer view,’” Sanchez said. “Or even better, if I actually can man the drone remotely and do something on my own.”

The tourism industry didn’t end up being a good fit for the technology at the time, but the software is helping drone operators and manufacturers turn off-the-shelf drones into fully automated fleets. Sanchez said the success of VOTIX can be attributed in part to the diversity of experience the team brings to the table. Between himself, Ed Boucas, CTO Daniel Echeverri and his brother CCO Santiago Echeverri, Sanchez said they have “a 360 perspective” on what the market and industry need.

Find out more about what VOTIX is working on, along with the four other GENIUS NY Cohort 7 finalist companies, as they compete for a chance to win the $1 million prize at Innovation Night featuring GENIUS NY Pitch Finals on Oct. 4 in Downtown Syracuse. Get a chance to meet and network with other emerging startups in Central New York from the Syracuse Surge Accelerator and The Tech Garden. Tickets are free but registration is required. Learn more and get tickets here!

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Get to know the GENIUS NY Cohort 7 teams in our weekly profiles leading up to the Pitch Finals on Oct. 4, 2023.

Kim Mahler has always been interested in the ways we connect to each other.

“I was one of the first among my friends to have to have a [cell] phone because I was just fascinated that you can just walk around and talk. Then, I just saw a lot of potential,” Mahler said.

Originally from Germany, Mahler earned his PhD in wireless communications and has worked for a decade on 5G car-to car communications. He eventually found his way to drone connectivity in 2018. He said his entrance into the uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) space was a natural progression of his interests: ensuring safety of autonomous systems. “Now we’re using our smartphone every day, but the next thing is that all things are being connected and especially moving things,” Mahler said. “Drones will be revolutionary. They are basically like flying smartphones, but need a different kind of connectivity.”

Mahler recognized that drones need a reliable and consistent way to communicate in order for the technology to be safe and make a large-scale impact. This led to Mahler founding the company that is now one of five GENIUS NY finalists, Voltela. Mahler views Voltela as the bridge between the mobile network and the drone industry. “By connecting these two industries, we make drones even smarter, and safer,” Mahler said. “Your smartphone or your laptop is not smart if it’s not connected to the Internet, and connectivity is just very powerful. We make sure that aviation-grade connectivity is provided to the entire drone industry.”

Mahler said reliable connectivity will be essential to scaling drone technology. He points to the work of the company Zipline, which has set up nationwide drone delivery services in Rwanda and Ghana, as an example of what drone technology could be capable of. “This is just amazing. Before that, it was almost impossible to get the medical [supplies] you need in rural areas,” Mahler said. “Now within 30 minutes, you can have any medical supply you need, and it’s just the beginning.”

Voltela’s current customers provide medical supplies, and Mahler is focused on medical delivery. He said he’s personally interested in employing drone technology in ways that can help people, but he’s also combatting the negative perception that some have of drones. Mahler said the view that drones are used for harm instead of good is prevalent, also in his home country Germany. “It needs a little bit of imagination of what good things drones can do,” Mahler said. “But, as opposed to killing people, drones can actually save lives. They’re doing it already but not yet at scale in every country. Voltela is trying to help making drone services a safe reality.”

Find out more about what Voltela is working on, along with the four other GENIUS NY Cohort 7 finalist companies, as they compete for a chance to win the $1 million prize at Innovation Night featuring GENIUS NY Pitch Finals on Oct. 4 in Downtown Syracuse. Get a chance to meet and network with other emerging startups in Central New York from the Syracuse Surge Accelerator and The Tech Garden. Tickets are free but registration is required. Learn more and get tickets here!

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