Drone Squad

Drone Squad

Drone Squad

Products

Drone Squad

Overview

I built the world's largest drone racing league (15,000 pilots in 117 countries) by developing software and hardware that enabled pilots to discover and organize local races

The Problem

Flying is more fun with friends, but it's hard to find locations and other racers. Once you get together, you have to diligently manage wireless video channels or drones will crash. And, if you want official results, you need expensive and complicated lap timing equipment.

Areas

0-1 Product
New Gaming Experience
Hardware
Software
Location Based Community

Period

2015 - 2019

Products

Drone Squad

Overview

I built the world's largest drone racing league (15,000 pilots in 117 countries) by developing software and hardware that enabled pilots to discover and organize local races

The Problem

Flying is more fun with friends, but it's hard to find locations and other racers. Once you get together, you have to diligently manage wireless video channels or drones will crash. And, if you want official results, you need expensive and complicated lap timing equipment.

Areas

0-1 Product
New Gaming Experience
Hardware
Software
Location Based Community

Period

2015 - 2019

Products

Drone Squad

Overview

I built the world's largest drone racing league (15,000 pilots in 117 countries) by developing software and hardware that enabled pilots to discover and organize local races

The Problem

Flying is more fun with friends, but it's hard to find locations and other racers. Once you get together, you have to diligently manage wireless video channels or drones will crash. And, if you want official results, you need expensive and complicated lap timing equipment.

Areas

0-1 Product
New Gaming Experience
Hardware
Software
Location Based Community

Period

2015 - 2019


Project Challenges

  • Hardware partnership and supply chain management

  • Finding a sustainable revenue model

Innovations

  • Developed a personal bluetooth drone race timer that was 14x less expensive than alternatives

  • Captured the market quickly by providing value to leaders of pre-existing local drone racing communities that would in turn evangelize the product to their members

  • Gamified drone racing for casual pilots, adding a new dimension to the sport

User Research

  • 3 month, field-based user research program with pilots and race organizers

  • Developed a continuous research program post-MVP

Results and Outcomes

  • Rapidly achieved product-market fit with 75% target market penetration and 65% 30-day retention


Project Challenges

  • Hardware partnership and supply chain management

  • Finding a sustainable revenue model

Innovations

  • Developed a personal bluetooth drone race timer that was 14x less expensive than alternatives

  • Captured the market quickly by providing value to leaders of pre-existing local drone racing communities that would in turn evangelize the product to their members

  • Gamified drone racing for casual pilots, adding a new dimension to the sport

User Research

  • 3 month, field-based user research program with pilots and race organizers

  • Developed a continuous research program post-MVP

Results and Outcomes

  • Rapidly achieved product-market fit with 75% target market penetration and 65% 30-day retention


Project Challenges

  • Hardware partnership and supply chain management

  • Finding a sustainable revenue model

Innovations

  • Developed a personal bluetooth drone race timer that was 14x less expensive than alternatives

  • Captured the market quickly by providing value to leaders of pre-existing local drone racing communities that would in turn evangelize the product to their members

  • Gamified drone racing for casual pilots, adding a new dimension to the sport

User Research

  • 3 month, field-based user research program with pilots and race organizers

  • Developed a continuous research program post-MVP

Results and Outcomes

  • Rapidly achieved product-market fit with 75% target market penetration and 65% 30-day retention

Drone Squad at LAFPV Drone Race
Drone Squad at LAFPV Drone Race
Drone Squad at LAFPV Drone Race
TBS Racetracker Bluetooth Race Timer and Drone Squad App
TBS Racetracker Bluetooth Race Timer and Drone Squad App
TBS Racetracker Bluetooth Race Timer and Drone Squad App
Drone Squad at LAFPV Drone Race
Drone Squad at LAFPV Drone Race
Drone Squad at LAFPV Drone Race