HUVR launches drone service, backed by $2 million, multiple 333s

Texas-based drone operations and data analytics company HUVRData LLC, knows how to make an entrance. After applying for, and receiving, a U.S. Federal Aviation Administration section 333 exemption in April to fly its multirotor platform for the use of industrial inspections and precision agriculture applications, HUVR followed it up with another successful 333 application for inspecting wind turbines in May. This month, the company has officially launched its services with the help of a $2 million round of funding from the angel investment organizations of Central Texas Angel Network, Houston Angel Network and the Texas HALO Fund.

“We see a lot of very interesting businesses at CTAN,” said Gene Betts, board member and deal lead at CTAN. “HUVR stands out as one of the first movers in a truly new space run by experienced founders with excellent track records.”

HUVR’s main attributes are linked to its drone-based data capture, analysis and cloud service. The company has developed an online platform used for making inspections faster and more efficient. The company intends to work with wind farms to perform regular and ongoing turbine assessments of entire farms while also diagnosing damage from cracks and lightning strikes, according to HUVR. Typical wind farms can only receive annual inspections on 30 percent of the turbines in a field, the company also said.

Ben Williams, cofounder of HUVR, is a high-tech executive that has worked in major companies and other startups. Bob Baughman, the other founder, also comes from the tech sector.

Earlier this year, HUVR participated in a search and rescue mission with the Lone Star Unmanned Aircraft Systems Center of Excellence & Innovation in Texas. 

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