Founded in 2013 and based in the Bay Area, Skycatch provides centimeter-accurate 3D mapping and scanning services primarily for construction sites and mining operations. Its technology works with off-the-shelf drones, including DJI, and combines 3D mapping software with a base station edge processor called the Edge 1. The company is also working with off-the-shelf lidar vendors to capture data in difficult environments, including underground mining. Skycatch emphasizes operating in edge environments with limited connectivity and has been deployed at north of 10,000 sites across countries including Chile, Colombia, Peru, Brazil, Australia, Canada, the U.S., Indonesia, China, the Philippines, Thailand and Japan. The company employs about 50 people and says the new funds will be used to expand its sales and marketing teams. The Asian Development Bank framed Skycatch’s technology as helping reduce carbon footprints and improve safety and operational efficiency in infrastructure projects. Skycatch builds autonomous drones and a data platform that captures and provides access to aerial 2D and 3D imaging for industries such as construction and mining. Its drones fly programmed missions, return to a base-station landing pad to offload roughly 15GB of onboard data and swap batteries that provide about 30 minutes of flight depending on wind. The company has sold services to clients including Bechtel, Bouygues and Rio Tinto, among many others bound by contract confidentiality. Skycatch has developed specialized hardware and has built hardware for other companies. It raised $13.2M in new venture funding to build out its existing business and pursue an ambitious plan to develop high-altitude unmanned gliders for near‑perpetual, on‑demand aerial imaging. Founder Christian Sanz started the business after identifying demand for frequent aerial site data while photographing construction sites.

Total raised

$38M

Funding rounds

2

Latest round

Equity

Latest activity

Mar 2021