By Jyot Singh
NORCROSS, Ga. | Metro Atlanta is positioning itself as a strategic hub for the rapidly growing global drone technology industry, particularly by fostering relationships with Ukrainian drone makers. Local officials, including representatives from Gwinnett County and the Gateway85 Community Improvement District (CID), are actively seeking collaborations with Ukrainian companies known for their innovations in drone technology. This initiative has gained momentum because of Ukraine’s prominence in drone manufacturing, significantly driven by the ongoing conflict with Russia.
During a recent event in Norcross, organized by Gateway85 CID along with Georgia Tech, Partnership Gwinnett, and Peachtree Corners Curiosity Lab, business leaders and technology experts explored opportunities for U.S.-Ukrainian cooperation in drone and AI technologies. The gathering, notably free of political overtones despite geopolitical tensions, emphasized economic opportunities and the potential to create high-paying tech jobs in the region. Valerii Iakovenko, founder of Ukraine’s DroneUA and its U.S. subsidiary Futurology, underscored the purely business-focused intent of these partnerships.
Ukrainian drone companies have recognized significant opportunities in the American market, particularly within law enforcement and public safety sectors, areas where Metro Atlanta’s technology infrastructure, led by local tech firms like Flock Safety, is rapidly expanding. Flock Safety, an Atlanta-based tech company recently valued at $7.5 billion following substantial new investment, has already demonstrated how drone technology integrated with AI can significantly enhance investigative intelligence and community safety.
Keith Kauffman, director of Drone-as-First-Responder (DFR) Strategy at Flock Safety, highlighted the benefits of incorporating drone technology into public safety operations, improving response times and enhancing the effectiveness of law enforcement agencies. The growing adoption of such technologies by police departments in Metro Atlanta demonstrates the practical and transformative potential that Ukrainian drone technology could further support and enhance.
Additionally, Peachtree Corners Mayor Mike Mason described the collaborative effort as an opportunity to build an innovation ecosystem that attracts investment and technology-driven economic growth. The focus remains on positioning Metro Atlanta as a magnet for tech talent, attracting global companies and innovative startups. This objective aligns closely with Gateway85 CID’s mission to boost the local economy through partnerships, infrastructure improvements, and strategic international alliances.
The burgeoning relationship with Ukrainian drone makers has the potential to further establish Metro Atlanta as a leader in technology and innovation on a national scale. With Ukraine recently becoming the world’s largest producer of tactical and strategic drones, local officials see immense potential for mutual economic benefits and technological advancement. Such collaborations also symbolize Metro Atlanta’s broader ambition to enhance its global technology profile by actively fostering international business relationships.
Emory Mosberger, executive director of Gateway85 CID, says: “Events like these highlight how essential innovative companies like Flock Safety and cutting-edge research institutions are vital to the continued economic growth and technological leadership of the broader Metro Atlanta region. Our CID fully supports innovation, ensuring our businesses and communities continue to prosper and have the resources they need to succeed.”
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