2023 was not easy for Ukrainian business. However, new economic and geopolitical challenges did not become limiting factors, but were an impetus for finding new effective solutions, creating new products and entering new markets.
Current realities force every Ukrainian entrepreneur to develop at cosmic speed. The foundation of success in modern conditions is:
- clear understanding of global world trends;
- tracking the rapidly changing demand of Ukrainians;
- optimization and automation of production;
- creation of new partnerships and collaborations;
- application of innovative management solutions;
- building a team of professionals who quickly adapt to changes.
Taking this into account, the DroneUA Group of companies, together with domestic and international partners, set new vectors of activity for further joint development of the country and acquired new effective experience.
The breakthrough of the year is the release of the FarmFleet project to the American market
In 2023, DroneUA Group successfully entered foreign markets in one of the most difficult periods in history for all Ukrainians. A new direction of activity was created, which expands and presents the best experience of Ukraine in the field of integration of robotics and innovative technologies on the American market. Thus, in June 2023, the innovative startup FarmFleet, which was presented in 2022 as an online platform for systematizing the rapidly growing market of drone spraying services in agriculture, attracted the first investment in the amount of $550,000. USA, at an estimated cost of 3.7 million dollars. USA and began the global expansion of the American market. During this year, a representative office was opened, several legal entities were created, and the systematic work of the team was established.
For the DroneUA team, this is not the first such experience, but it is definitely one of the most important, given the perspective of the partnership between the United States of America and Ukraine, which opens up new opportunities and perspectives for both parties.
At the same time, there was a significant strengthening of FarmFleet's work due to the creation of its own service team of 8 teams, which throughout the season processed the crops of Ukrainian farms. Thus, DroneUA, together with investors and partners, continued to facilitate the access of farmers to innovative resource-saving technologies. After all, the use of drones provides a reduction in fuel costs, PPE, water resources and reduces CO2 emissions. Thus, FarmFleet's approaches contribute to a sustainable future for the agricultural sector as a whole.
At the end of October 2023, FarmFleet became part of the national startup delegation, and has the honor of representing Ukraine at the largest world exhibition of consumer electronics, technologies and innovations - CES 2024 (Consumer Electronics Show 2024) in Las Vegas (USA). The trade mission is supported by the Ministry of Digital, together with the Ukrainian Startup Fund and the Ukrainian Association of Venture and Private Capital (UVCA), the USAID Program "Competitive Economy of Ukraine".
Strengthening energy security and independence of Ukrainians
During 2023, GC DroneUA continued to actively work on strengthening the energy independence of Ukrainians.
As of the end of 2023, more than 70,000 EcoFlow portable devices have already been delivered to Ukrainian families and businesses, which is more than 91 MWh of decentralized energy storage capacity distributed throughout the country, as close as possible to the final consumer. Currently, Ukraine demonstrates the fastest growth rates and development of energy autonomy of both the private sector and business. The demand for portable power and stationary systems operating on their own solar generation is growing. And next year, the domestic market will demonstrate new achievements.
The ability to generate your own energy is not only economically beneficial, but also environmentally friendly. Given Europe's decision to reduce CO2 emissions to 0% by 2050, the demand for green technologies will grow. Therefore, prices will also increase and it is necessary to implement energy independence technologies now.
Speaking about the reconstruction of Ukraine and its place in the European Union, the ecosystem of energy-independent solutions that DroneUA is already developing with more than 750 partners and integrators lays a solid foundation for energy primacy in the EU.
Another extraordinary achievement of this direction was the opening of the world's first Authorized EcoFlow offline store in Kyiv. Not in Europe, not in China or the USA, but in Ukraine. The opening of the store and the developed concept of space and brand presentation became a model for the unique brand style of EcoFlow offline stores in the world.
Strengthening food security in agriculture
The use of agricultural drones ensures the reduction of resources, the strengthening of a careful approach to nature management, the innovative development of regions and the creation of jobs.
According to the results of the 2021, 2022 and 2023 agricultural seasons, the total area of crops treated by agricultural drones in Ukraine is 3.1 million hectares (1 million, 1.2 million and 0.9 million hectares, respectively).
In total, this allowed us to obtain the following results:
- area of cultivated crops: 3.1 million hectares;
- reduction of used fuel: 17.05 million liters;
- reduction of carbon emissions: 43.4 thousand tons;
- additional harvested crop: 486.7 thousand tons;
- water savings: up to 620,000 tons;
- number of jobs: up to 1 thousand.
This season, the DroneUA team, in addition to increasing access to sprayer drone technology for MSMEs, continued to actively develop and strengthen expertise and understanding of robotics.
The DroneUA team conducted:
- 5 specialized agrarian conferences dedicated to the possibilities and practical cases of spraying drones, which were attended by more than 400 representatives of agribusiness;
- more than 20 specialized lectures and seminars for students of agricultural universities. Some universities were equipped with educational models of drones, which will allow students to master innovations even during their studies. And this direction is currently being actively strengthened.
- delivery of sprayer drones to Vocational and Technical Education Centers of the State Employment Service (9 sets of equipment have been delivered so far) and comprehensive training for teachers thanks to the provision of grant funds by international organizations.
DroneUA became part of the global project to popularize unmanned technologies under the initiative and support of FAO. In the framework of which the Ukrainian experience of using drones in agriculture was presented as a standard of achievements. Ukraine's expertise was presented at three international conferences for farmers of Georgia, Moldova, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Ukraine. Articles, expert videos, and a seminar are all thanks to Ukrainian agricultural producers who, even in difficult times, remain open to innovation.
Corporate social responsibility and charity
In November 2023, DroneUA Group launched another direction aimed at strengthening the energy security of social institutions: orphanages, rehabilitation centers, hospitals, maternity homes. For almost 1 year of active work, the "DronYUA" Charitable Foundation provided assistance to:
- 135+ portable charging stations donated to charity;
- UAH 2.5+ million total cost of direct technical assistance;
- 25+ orphanages and social institutions that received assistance;
- 100+ kW Total capacity of transmitted backup power sources.
After the tragedy at the Kakhovskaya HPP, assistance was provided in the form of portable charging stations (10+ units) by the forces of the BF "DronYUA" for the units of the State Emergency Service, which were conducting rescue work and liquidation of the consequences.
Against the background of all fronts, economic, food, energy, our team is also involved in the real front. The example of Fevzi Ametov, as a business owner and at the same time a defender in the Air Intelligence unit of the National Guard, inspires and unites the team, because everyone knows how much effort it takes to combine both service and company management. This shows the strength and power of the team, team, and company.
Today, Ukraine is the heart of new security technologies, where the boldest ideas are born, and engineering professionals are tempered by fire. Our role is to help these areas grow both in Ukraine and beyond, cooperating with companies that are part of our ecosystem.
Therefore, the DroneUA Group of Companies continues to scale the experience gained in Ukraine, strengthen the areas of energy independence and food security, popularize Ukrainian equipment and innovations on international markets, create new ecosystems, attract financing for the development of Ukrainian business.
The DroneUA group of companies thanks all customers, partners, friends and colleagues for a busy year and fruitful cooperation. At the same time, DroneUA is making plans for 2024 and confidently moving forward with you - to an innovative future and the Victory of Ukraine!
Sincerely, the DroneUA GC team!
