San Mateo, Calif. – March 22, 2023 – Skydio, the leading U.S. drone manufacturer and world leader in autonomous flight, today released its first annual Skydio For All report detailing its corporate social responsibility program in 2022 and expansion plans for the program as the company continues to grow.
Skydio For All is an industry-first initiative that utilizes Skydio’s autonomous flight technology to create lasting, positive impact for future generations. The program leverages the full range of Skydio’s resources—from product donations to training and support—to partner with local and global communities. Projects involving STEM education for underserved communities are at the heart of the program, but it also supports other activities, including providing opportunities for veterans, preserving cultural and heritage sites, supporting wildlife conservation, and support of global humanitarian crises such as the war in Ukraine.
“I was fortunate to be exposed to engineering for the first time through drone technology and I know firsthand how transformational it can be, especially at a young age,” said Adam Bry, co-founder and CEO of Skydio. “We see a great opportunity for continued education in communities who may otherwise not be exposed to this technology. With Skydio for All, our goal is to continue making an impact for future generations and we’re committed to furthering our investment in programs that enrich the world around us.”
The program was initially created by a group of Skydio employees who came together in the midst of COVID to brainstorm how the company could further support communities in need. In 2022, the company doubled its outreach and impact efforts while reaching the highest employee engagement to date. It expanded use cases for its products while working with wildlife conservation teams in Kenya, and set a new record for the oldest structure 3D scanned by a drone utilizing Skydio’s 3D Scan at the historic preservation site of Nepal’s Changu Narayan Temple.
To support youth STEM education, Skydio hosted a Youth Fly Day - bringing together students from ICA Cristo Rey All Girls Academy in San Francisco for a day of hands-on education about drones. It also worked with UAS4STEM to support its national drone-making competition to empower the next generation of drone pilots.
With more than 10% of Skydio’s workforce being Veterans, Skydio created a Veteran Vehicle Scholarship that provides Veterans the chance to win a Skydio 2+ Pro Kit to aid them in starting their own business, growing their careers, and improving their lives. We selected winners across the country, many of them combat veterans. After a successful launch in 2021, we are proud to announce that the program will continue this year. To apply, veterans can submit a personal essay sharing their story and how they plan to use the vehicle. Applications are open through March 31st and can be submitted online.
“Our fields of expertise spread across multiple departments, and our backgrounds were vastly diverse,” said Mira Marquez, senior design producer and Skydio For All lead. “What we shared in common were our empathetic hearts and our drive to create change. From those early conversations, we established the foundation for what would become Skydio For All. We’re very proud to now share the story of its impact and look forward to continuing to expand the program.”
“Skydio has been an incredible partner to UAS4STEM to help us further our mission to support and empower the next generation of aviators and innovators,” said Kyle Jaracz at Academy of Model Aeronautics. “They have not only supported us by providing Skydio drones for the UAS4STEM national competition, but their team has dedicated their time and expertise to supporting our young drone pilots. Access to industry professionals, technology and hands-on experience leads to enhanced career readiness and an increased likelihood of pursuing STEM or aviation careers. We value their partnership and appreciate their dedication to supporting young drone pilots in achieving their full potential.”
With Skydio For All, the company has supported 35 nonprofit organizations across six countries through product and financial donations totaling over $824k. In 2023, it plans to continue to grow the program and further the positive impact of its products around the world. Goals and priorities for this year include: expanding community outreach through Veteran programming and public access to drone education, doubling the number of students with hands-on flights through its youth STEM programs, increasing the number of culturally and historically significant sites scanned and supporting wildlife conservation through product testing and innovation.
Skydio has been recognized for its broader efforts to serve the greater good, named as one of Fast Company’s 2023 Most Innovative Companies in the Rapid Response category for its innovative products deployed in emergency response to Hurricane Ian.
To learn more about Skydio for All, please visit: https://www.skydio.com/skydio-for-all
About Skydio
Skydio is the leading U.S. drone manufacturer and world leader in autonomous flight. Skydio leverages breakthrough AI to create the world’s most intelligent flying machines for use by consumers, enterprises, and government customers. Founded in 2014, Skydio is made up of leading experts in AI, robotics, cameras, and electric vehicles from top companies, research labs, and universities from around the world. Skydio designs, assembles, and supports its products in the U.S. from its headquarters in San Mateo, CA, and manufacturing facilities in Hayward, CA, to offer the highest standards of supply chain, manufacturing and data security. Skydio is trusted by leading enterprises across a wide range of industry sectors and is backed by top investors and strategic partners including Andreessen Horowitz, Linse Capital, Next47, IVP, Playground, and NVIDIA.
