DroneUp

DroneUp is a Virginia Beach-based drone technology company founded in 2016 by Tom Walker and John Vernon. The company specializes in drone delivery and aerial flight services, operating a drones-as-a-service model that connects businesses with a network of over 80,000 independent drone pilots across the United States. DroneUp offers last-mile delivery of various products, including retail, food, and medical supplies, using quadcopter drones. The company also provides aerial surveillance and inspections with drones equipped with advanced sensors for security and infrastructure assessments. Notably, DroneUp has partnered with Walmart to deliver COVID-19 test kits, leading to a significant commercial services agreement and establishing itself as Walmart’s exclusive drone delivery provider at multiple sites. In addition to its services, DroneUp is expanding its headquarters in Virginia Beach and developing a drone testing, training, and R&D center, which is expected to create over 650 new jobs. The company focuses on providing efficient and environmentally friendly solutions for logistics and aerial data collection across various sectors.