As the value of commercial drones in a wide variety of industries increases, so will the importance of drone service providers (DSPs). This research focuses on 23 companies considered the top firms providing third-party drone-based data collection and analysis globally. DSPs aim to offer clients solutions to business problems using a combination of drones, certified commercial drone pilots and data capture, processing, and display software. Common commercial uses for DSPs include mapping, surveying, construction monitoring, infrastructure inspections, energy asset inspections, insurance inspections, precision agriculture, and aerial photography/video. Some DSPs offer a wide range of services while others prefer to concentrate on specific vertical markets.

The DSPs covered in this study do not include companies that only conduct aerial photography and video, or those that also utilize manned aviation for data collection. Each competitor is profiled separately and each profile contains information about where the company is located, when it was established, important partnerships it has established, its services, and other relevant business details. From the information gathered for developing profiles, each company is evaluated under the following categories:
• Service: What drone-based services are provided and in what verticals? How good are the company's services and what feedback has been
provided by customers?
• Management: What kind of experience does the management team have in directing start-ups and in the technology areas required for
providing drone services? Does the company employ the proper subject matter experts?
• Business Plan: Does the business plan only revolve around providing drone services? Does the company also provide other services like
drone pilot training or in-house drone program consulting? Are there any significant partnerships that can create synergies to give the
company a competitive advantage?
• Funding: How much investment capital has the company raised to date? Is the operation part of a larger company that can support its growth?

Once evaluated, the companies are ranked in a heat map to identify the ones most likely to grow and survive in a market that is crowded with motivated and innovative competitors. In addition, growth opportunities within the DSP market are discussed, and several useful recommendations are presented. Explanations of market challenges and trends are also included. The study concludes with strategic insights for participants.

Author: Michael Blades