In the heart of Lafayette, a tech revolution is underway as FlyGuys, an innovative reality data capture provider, secures a monumental $10 million Series A investment, propelling its growth strategy to new heights. FlyGuys’ CEO, Joe Stough, and VP of Marketing, Whitney Savoie discuss the impact of this significant funding round and the bright future of this budding tech startup.

A year ago, CEO Stough stepped in from the Board Chairman and has since transformed the FlyGuys business model to fill the vacuum for a nationally scaled online marketplace for reality data capture. “We’re deploying this latest investment capital to build a highly scaled cloud-based platform to connect demand across many vertical market use cases,” Stough explains. The platform will revolutionize the way data-seekers connect with local data capture providers. “We have a network of thousands of local data capture providers, mostly drone pilots, across every state in the nation.”

With the installation of $10 million, FlyGuys is expanding its reach nationwide while creating quality job opportunities locally. “In the past six months, we have hired 17 employees,” Savoie explains. “And seven of those are based in Louisiana.” With the growing team, FlyGuys has moved into the CGI building in downtown Lafayette. “We were in two different offices,” Savoie says. “Marketing and sales were at the Opportunity Machine, and the Ops team was in an office down the street. So now we are all under one roof.”

FlyGuys’ journey to this multi-million dollar investment has not been without its challenges. The company is navigating uncharted territory in an emerging market with endless potential, so there have been growing pains that come with the territory. “With any startup, change happens daily,” Savoie admits. “Our small team has had to overcome many obstacles and learn to do a lot with only a little. Everyone has had to wear multiple hats, and now, as we add more people, we are finding where policies and procedures fit into place. The $10 million investment will provide the necessary support to stretch beyond these challenges, allowing us to thrive and innovate further.”

And just what made a handful of private investors so confident in funding a small but mighty startup in a brand-new industry? “The compound annual growth rate of this market is astronomical,” Stough explains. “And with that, our year-over-year growth is impressive, boosting the confidence of our investors.” Though still in its infancy, future projections indicate a market ripe for disruption and innovation, and that is exactly what FlyGuys is aiming to do.

Maintaining a distinct identity and competitive edge in a rapidly evolving industry is no small feat. FlyGuys plans to achieve this by fostering a culture where innovation is not only encouraged but rewarded. Customer service is a pillar of their approach, aiming to create raving fans who see FlyGuys as the most sought-after company to work with. Savoie adds, “We are also building a community around our drone pilot network, making them feel like they are part of something meaningful, something big.”

Looking ahead, FlyGuys has exciting projects in the pipeline. The company is working with MESH, a Baton Rouge agency, to refresh its brand, aligning it more closely with its vision and mission. Additionally, FlyGuys is developing software to streamline user experiences, ensuring unparalleled customer experiences.

Through FlyGuys’ many milestones, Savoie reflects on the most rewarding moment. “Solidifying the $10 million investment is truly the turning point. It represents confidence in the team and the future of the company. It’s an honor to work for a company where people believe wholeheartedly in the potential and trajectory of FlyGuys.”

FlyGuys is not just a data capture provider; it’s a force driving positive change in the industry and the communities it serves. With $10 million fueling its growth, the sky’s the limit for this innovative company as it continues to redefine what’s possible in the world of data capture.

FlyGuys Fun Facts

There are 10,200 pilots in the FlyGuys network, coming from every state in the country.

DaCoda Bartels, Sr. VP of Operations, has worked on some big name movies as a helicopter pilot before becoming a drone pilot.

Several FlyGuys execs, including CEO Stough, previously worked for Waitr, another Lafayette-based tech startup that sold for $300M in 2018.

One of the coolest jobs FlyGuys has flown was a multispectral project covering the migration of the Monarch butterflies.