Arke Aeronautics founders discuss StartupRU, Rowan’s New Venture Accelerator Program
Please meet Rowan student startup Arke Aeronautics. Arke makes life-saving autonomous drone technology for first responders. More specifically, they provide 360-degree situational awareness to police, EMS, and fire companies before they arrive on-scene, by beaming live aerial video to their smartphones while still en route.
Last summer three co-founders of Arke Aeronautics (MBA Student Brandon Graham, Engineering Student Sherman Hartman, and 2018 MBA Alumnus Jon Penera) participated in the Rowan Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship’s summer accelerator program, aptly named StartupRU. Through StartupRU, Arke was provided non-equity seed funding, mentorship, and access to Studio 231. Less than a year later, Arke is excelling in the Philly Startup Leaders Accelerator Program and working to close a significant round of seed funding very soon. Learn more about Arke’s journey and experience in the StartupRU below.
Question: What inspired you to start Arke Aeronautics?
There are 2.1 million 911 phone calls dialed in the U.S. every day, many of which place first responders in an immediate race against the clock to respond. As a first responder himself, Hartman knows how mere seconds can help save a life, and as a technologist, Graham is always looking at ways to improve people’s lives through the use of technology. What started as informal conversations among friends on campus emerged into a realization that drone technology could better be used to help first responders. From this, Arke’s “Drone as a first responder” technology concept was born.
Question: What makes Arke Aeronautics Unique?
While Arke uses drones to collect life-saving information for first responders, it is not a drone company. Our core innovation lies in the seamless integration of readily available commercial components that can be integrated with our software back-end and cloud-based technology that turns each drone into an autonomous data collection platform. This technological breakthrough aims to empower first responders to shift their focus from flying drones to leveraging each piece of data. This will allow first responders the ability to arrive faster and respond more effectively than ever before possible.
Question: Why did you choose to participate in the StartupRU accelerator program? How did StartupRU help you?
The StartupRU Accelerator program was a fantastic opportunity for Arke. Not only did we gain access to a fully equipped prototyping facility and co-working space, but we were also provided non-equity seed funding and were matched with a mentor to guide and push us along the process. The accelerator was equally rigorous and rewarding. After completing StartupRU, we were selected to participate in the 2019 Philly Startup Leaders Accelerator, a seed stage accelerator in Philadelphia. Without going through the StartupRU program, Arke would not be where it is today.
Question: Do you have any advice for student companies applying to the StartupRU Accelerator Program? What is something you would tell students who want to be in the program?
The most important things a founder can do for his business is to talk to new people, ask really difficult questions, and immerse themselves in the business. The only way to successfully start something is to live it, breath it, and become the ultimate master of the business. Don’t be afraid to go all in.
About the Arke Aeronautics Team…
In addition to the three co-founders (Graham, Hartman, and Penera), Arke Aeronautics has 3 full stack developers: Reno Thiart, Priyansh Sharma and Kurt Convey, all computer science students at the University of Pennsylvania.
