Drone Competitions
Kenya Drone Business Competition 2022
The 2022 Kenya Drone Business Competition inspired early-stage entrepreneurs by providing training on drone operations, business pitching, and marketing. Organized with key partners including the US Embassy and Kenyan Civil Aviation Authority, it selected 25 finalists from 187 applicants, culminating in practical training and awarding scholarships and business support to the top three winners.
Kenya Agri-Drone Business Challenge 2023
The Kenya Agri-Drone Business Challenge 2023 was a three-day competition held March 16-18, 2023, in Nairobi, coordinated by multiple partners including the US Embassy in Nairobi, Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA), Global Air Drone Academy (GADA), Kenya Flying Labs, DroneDeploy, Skydio, Dronector Academy, and Blue Globe Innovation. The event attracted 122 applicants from 24 countries across Kenya, with 40% being women participants including students, entrepreneurs, and professionals, and progressed through three stages: initial applications in January 2023, a 5-day virtual bootcamp for 25 shortlisted candidates, and a 3-day practical training session in Nairobi for 10 finalists featuring hands-on drone training and pitch presentations. Five winners were ultimately selected and awarded scholarships from Dronector Academy, Skydio 2 drones, DroneDeploy subscriptions, and business coaching support, with the competition aimed at identifying and supporting startups using drone technology to improve food security, agriculture, and environmental solutions across Kenya while demonstrating the country's entrepreneurial talent and highlighting the transformative potential of drone technology in agriculture.
Nigeria Drone Business Competition
The 2021 Nigerian Drone Business Competition, powered by Global Air Drone Academy (GADA), was a 5-day virtual drone business bootcamp with an application deadline of December 31st, 2020, organized in partnership with the U.S. Consulate General Lagos, Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), and Global Air Drone Academy. The competition targeted Nigeria-based early-stage technology youth entrepreneurs aged 16-30 years old, with 30 finalists selected to participate in the virtual training program (2 hours per day for 5 days) where they learned drone engineering, entrepreneurship, and practical business applications from experienced drone professionals. At the end of the bootcamp, participants pitched their business plans to a panel of judges, with the top 3 finalists winning professional-grade drones plus business coaching to help launch their businesses, and winners were required to participate in GADA's business accelerator program to further develop their drone-based startups.
Zambia Drone Hackathon
The Zambia Drone Hackathon Competition was a five-day virtual event held August 24-28, 2020, coordinated by the U.S. Embassy, Zambia Civil Aviation Authority, BongoHive, and the Global Air Drone Academy (GADA). The competition was open to all Zambian citizens/residents aged 16-28, with applications accepted until August 6, 2020, and 30 qualified participants selected to attend the virtual bootcamp hosted by BongoHive and GADA, a U.S. Federal Aviation Administration-licensed drone services company based in Maryland. During the comprehensive workshop, participants learned from experienced drone professionals about relating drone technology to real-world practical solutions, safe drone operation, and startup marketing strategies, culminating in business plan pitches to judges on day five, with the top three winners receiving professional-grade drones and business coaching to launch their new businesses.
Drone Soccer Nigeria
The Global Air Drone Academy hosted Africa's first-ever drone soccer competition in Nigeria in collaboration with the United States Consulate General, US Drone Soccer, and the Lagos State Ministry of Education. The competition received 71 team applications, with 8 girl-led teams selected to participate, emphasizing gender inclusion and requiring considerable female participation on each team. Drone soccer, originating from Korea, involves two teams of five players each controlling radio-controlled quadcopters in protective exoskeletons within a 10 by 20 feet mesh structure, where strikers attempt to fly their drones through opponent goalposts while teammates help score and defend. The top 3 winners received $1500 in STEAM equipment, while the overall winner traveled to the United States to participate in the international Drone Soccer Competition, with the event serving as both a thrilling sport and a STEM education tool that teaches students drone building, programming, computer science, and aviation skills through hands-on experience with iFlight-designed drones and Betaflight software.
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