Impact Hub Manila and LBC have chosen SkyEye, Inc., which specializes in Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (drones) applications, to receive P750,000 start up support. This grand prize includes P320,000 worth of seed funding. SkyEye beat two other teams at the Impact Hub Fellowship on Innovation in Mobility presentation finals last March 29, 2016. The winning team will continue to receive support from LBC and Impact Hub Manila for the next 9 months, including access to (1) collaborative work space, (2) local and global network, (3) focused mentoring, and (4) skill development worth more than P430,000.
SkyEye, Inc. started as a group of researchers and engineers gathering weather data and producing maps with UAVs. They have since evolved into a technically skilled enterprise offering UAV applications, including comprehensive and cost-efficient land surveying, deed titling, infrastructure planning and construction, and humanitarian response. They aim to help clients, with their technical expertise, make better decisions about property, land, and developments.
The winning Fellow was among three teams that pitched their businesses to a panel of industry experts and investors led by Mr. Dino Araneta, LBC’s Chief Strategy and Innovation Officer.
“All three teams went through an intensive 3-month cohort phase where we observed them in action; how they work, how quick they learn and adapt, and how they progress,” said LizAn Kuster, co-founder of Impact Hub Manila. “We look forward to hosting more Incubation and Innovation Programs with excellent partners such as LBC, who are driven by innovation, and actively support and incubate start-ups and social enterprises such as these.”
Aside from SkyEye, two other companies also participated in Impact Hub’s KICK Incubation Program. Food Planner, is a post-harvest food processing initiative taking food direct from the farmers to the market. They are pioneering the production of dehydrated food products. Wave is a ride-sharing, booking, and social platform that acts as an affordable alternative for daily commuters and urban professionals.
SkyEye, Inc. won due to their innovative approach, combining hardware, software, and highly talented people to create services to benefit the customers and the country.
“We believe their pioneering use of drone technology has a huge potential to bring positive change to the Philippines and abroad. Through further development, we anticipate a diverse range of solutions and applications in the subject of mobility,” said Dino Araneta, LBC’s Chief Strategy and Innovation Officer. “Through the Fellowship, we’ve seen SkyEye’s improvements first-hand, taking them to a stage where their company is ready to scale. Together, we will be able to gain even more traction in the next 9 months of the Fellowship on Innovation in Mobility.”
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