(Interview from 2011, feature articles from 2013 and 2014.)
In 2011, CEO Tommy Kenville founded Unmanned Applications Institute International (UAI), the first private drone company in North Dakota. Adam Lingwall and Nathan Leben founded Isight Drone Services in 2014, and in 2017, UAI and Isight Drone Services merged to form Midwest Drone Group.
ISight Drone Services provides Remotely Piloted Vehicle operations to agricultural, critical infrastructure, wildlife management, insurance, and emergency services clients so they can unlock the value and efficiency of collecting data and imagery with unmanned aerial vehicles.
In February of 2020 ISight purchased the Fargo-based company “Flight Pros” and opened our Fargo, ND office. In May of 2020 we opened our Watford City, ND office. In June of 2021 we expanded into the twin cities and opened our Bloomington, MN office. ISight Drone Services is positioned perfectly for the exploding UAS industry.
Kenville is a pioneering figure in North Dakota's unmanned aerial systems (UAS) and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) industry. A graduate of the University of North Dakota (UND) with a degree in Marketing, Kenville worked with the UND Aerospace Foundation for 15 years, fostering significant collaborations between the university and the aerospace sector. He also played a crucial role at the Center for Innovation Foundation, supporting entrepreneurial ventures and leveraging alumni networks globally.
Under his leadership, UAI has been instrumental in co-organizing North Dakota's UAS Summit and advancing regional UAV initiatives. He is also a founding member of the Great Plains Chapter of the Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI) and a partner in organizing AUVSI’s International Aerial Robotics Competitions.
His entrepreneurial ventures extend beyond UAS, including property development, manufacturing, and consulting businesses. Notably, he raised $5 million to establish the first Hilton Garden Inn in the Dakotas and chairs the Valley Angel Fund, promoting investment in innovative startups.
Kenville's work underscores his dedication to establishing North Dakota as a leader in UAV and UAS development, driving technological and economic progress in the region.
North Dakota has earned a reputation as the "Silicon Valley of Drone Innovation," a testament to over a decade of strategic groundwork and investment in Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS), drones, and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs). Its emergence as a global leader stems from a confluence of geographic, economic, and legislative advantages.
Laying the Groundwork: A Vision for Innovation
More than a decade ago, North Dakota's government and business leaders recognized the potential of UAS technology to revolutionize industries like agriculture, infrastructure, and public safety. The state leveraged its low population density, open airspace, and significant agricultural footprint to create a testbed for drone innovation.
This effort was supported by significant federal and state funding, including the establishment of the Northern Plains UAS Test Site in 2013, one of the first six Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)-designated test sites for UAV research.
Key Developments in the Industry
Investment in Infrastructure: North Dakota's Grand Sky UAS Business and Aviation Park is a dedicated hub for drone research and commercialization, attracting leading companies in the industry.
Agricultural Applications: With the state's economy heavily tied to farming, drones have become indispensable for monitoring crops, soil health, and irrigation, reducing costs and increasing efficiency.
Public-Private Partnerships: Collaboration between private enterprises and state institutions has accelerated research and deployment. Companies like General Atomics and Northrop Grumman have established a significant presence in the region.
The state's proactive legislative environment, low air traffic congestion, and willingness to embrace cutting-edge technology have made it a fertile ground for UAS innovation. Its advancements are not limited to agriculture but extend to energy, environmental monitoring, and defense.
Today, North Dakota stands as a beacon of UAS excellence, leading advancements in drone technology with a vision for continued growth. Its decade-long journey demonstrates how strategic planning and innovation can transform a state into a global technology leader.
(Interview from 2011, feature articles from 2013 and 2014.)
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