The shortlist just got shorter. Out of the 11 semifinalists announced last month, five drone startups in 2025 look a bit more promising. Five drone startups have now been tapped to join GENIUS NY, the world’s largest business accelerator for drones, robotics, and uncrewed systems.

Those five finalists will relocate to Syracuse, New York, this fall to begin a yearlong residency, where they’ll receive mentorship, workspace inside the brand-new INSPYRE Innovation Hub, and a shot at the $1 million grand prize at Innovation Night on May 7, 2026. Four other teams will walk away with $500,000 each — meaning $3 million total in funding is on the line.

The five drone startups in 2025 to watch

This year’s finalist roster represents a mix of defense, infrastructure, and public safety applications — with at least one startup that feels like it came out of a sci-fi novel. Here’s who made the cut:

• Flox (Stockholm, Sweden): Uses AI to understand and “speak” to wild animals via drones, trains, and edge pods — steering wildlife away from airports, farms, or other sensitive areas.
• Lamarr AI (New York, USA): Brings drones and AI together to inspect building exteriors faster, cheaper, and more safely than human crews. (I recently took a deep dive into Lamarr’s software, which you can read here.)
• Lighthouse Avionics (Ohio, USA): Developing low-cost optical systems to monitor low-altitude airspace — from drone threats to bird strikes — while supporting FAA compliance.
• Modovolo (New York, USA): A modular drone company building Lego-like aircraft with extended flight times for commercial and defense uses.
• Skyfire AI (New Jersey, USA): Specializes in autonomous drone swarms for first responders, defense, and public safety. Skyfire stands out because its  public safety drone is made in America.

Compared to past cohorts, these teams are further along, which might explain why these are the ultimate drone startups in 2025. In fact, many already have commercial pilots, paying customers,= or proven traction in their industries.

Why Syracuse?

If you’re wondering why a Swedish wildlife-tech company or a New Jersey swarm startup would move to upstate New York, the answer lies in GENIUS NY’s unique model. The program, funded by New York State and run by CenterState CEO, requires finalists to operate in Central New York for at least a year. In exchange, they get resources that go beyond just a big check.

This year’s teams will be the first to work out of the INSPYRE Innovation Hub (no, the goofy spelling is not a typo). That hub happens to be New York state’s largest business incubator. The new facility includes a hardware center, makerspace and even an uncrewed systems testing deck. Other perks include AWS credits, access to PitchBook, industry-specific advisors and the chance to tap into the region’s UAS Job Fund.

“This year’s finalists bring the latest in uncrewed aerial and robotics technology right here to Central New York,” said GENIUS NY director Kara Jones in a prepared statement. “These companies are building technologies that solve real-world problems across defense, infrastructure and public safety.”

Why GENIUS NY matters for drone startups

GENIUS NY isn’t just a local accelerator — it’s become something of a global force in drone and robotics innovation. Since 2017, the program has invested nearly $24 million in 42 startups. Collectively, alumni have raised more than $350 million in follow-on funding and created hundreds of jobs across New York state.

New York officials see GENIUS NY as a key plank in their strategy to cement Central New York as a UAS hub.

“New York’s ongoing UAS investments and commitment continue to create new high-tech jobs and growth, further establishing the State as an industry leader,” said Empire State Development’s Hope Knight

What’s next for these drone startups in 2025?

The five finalists will now spend the next year refining their go-to-market plans, building relationships with local investors, and — let’s be real — polishing their pitches. It all culminates on Innovation Night 2026, when one team will walk away with the coveted $1 million prize.

If history is any indicator, expect these companies to make noise well beyond Syracuse. Past GENIUS NY alums include startups tackling drone delivery, counter-drone radar, and industrial inspection — some of which have gone on to raise tens of millions in venture capital.

So, will the next Skydio or Zipline come out of this cohort? Stay tuned.

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Zero Zero Robotics turned heads with yesterday’s launch on Indiegogo of the HOVERAir AQUA drone. The HOVERAir Aqua is a waterproof, self-flying camera drone that follows you hands-free while you’re out on the water doing activities like paddleboarding, snorkeling or jetskiing — all without worrying about a splash taking it down.

Here are some of the HOVERAir Aqua drone’s key specs:

• 4K/100 fps slow-motion camera with a 1/1.28” CMOS sensor and hydrophobic lens
• 23 minutes of flight time
• Lightweight (under 249g, so no FAA registration required)
• Level 7 wind resistance (up to 33 knots)
• Tracking speeds up to 34 mph
• More than 15 automated flight modes, including “snorkel mode” and “gimbal mode”
• An accessory called the Lighthouse, worn on your arm, that acts like a controller with a built-in “virtual tether”
• A tiny integrated AMOLED screen for live preview and playback without needing a phone

All that for early bird pricing of $999.

The HOVERAir Aqua is a clever product, and it’s particularly notable because DJI has never offered anything like it. Which raises the fun question: should DJI (easily the world’s most dominant drone maker) be worried?

A history of pushing DJI

While DJI absolutely dominates the drone space, I will say that Zero Zero is one of the only companies that has ever managed to push DJI in specs and provide a strong DJI alternative. Many other DJI competitors, like Autel, have largely only amounted to ripping off what DJI has already made. Zero Zero is one of the few that has innovated on its own.

The HOVERAir X1 proved that when it launched in 2023. Zero Zero added on to it a year later with even spiffier models: the HoverAir X1 PRO and HOVERAir X1 PROMAX.

The HOVERAir line of folding drones had specs and features that, in some ways, beat DJI at its own game. These drones stood out with its ultra-portable, hands-free, AI-powered tracking. But they also had some issues, including cheap design that easily broke.

So then — as the drone-making powerhouse almost always does — DJI answered back with products like the DJI Flip. The Flip took many of those same ideas that we saw with the HOVERAir, but then polished them to perfection.

That’s the dynamic I love watching: Zero Zero innovates on the edges, and DJI swoops in to refine and mainstream those innovations.

With the HOVERAir AQUA drone, Zero Zero is once again going where DJI hasn’t: into the water.

Will DJI make a waterproof drone?

DJI drones are famously cautious when it comes to the elements. Most DJI models warn you about flying in light rain. The closest DJI will go to waterproof is the DJI Matrice 4D drone, which features IP55-rated dust and water resistance, but that really only means that the drone can function in light rain. Plus, that drone is a whopping $5,500 — which isn’t something regular consumers would likely buy for their Hawaiian surf vacation.

Generally speaking though, DJI drones are built for the skies, not the sea. AQUA, by contrast, brags about being the world’s first 100% waterproof flying camera. It’s designed to float, fly and keep up even if it gets dunked. That opens up new territory — surfing footage, paddleboarding shots, fishing videos or even just carefree family lake days without the constant “oh no, don’t splash the drone!” anxiety.

Could DJI make something like this? I’m willing to say absolutely. DJI has the engineering muscle, the supply chain, the marketing reach. If it decides waterproofing is a worthwhile mass-market feature, it could out-execute Zero Zero in months. But DJI is strategic. It doesn’t usually chase niche categories. It waits until something proves there’s a wide audience, then drops in with the bigger, better version. If AQUA becomes more than a gimmick — if it shows there’s real demand — DJI could very well follow.

Should DJI be scared of the HOVERAir AQUA drone?

So should DJI be scared right now? I’m going to say no. Let’s not forget that AQUA is launching on Indiegogo. Even though Zero Zero is a legitimate company with patents and VC backing, crowdfunding campaigns always come with caveats (remember the Lily drone?!). Sometimes the final product doesn’t live up to the promise. Sometimes the production scale isn’t there. And even if it works perfectly, DJI still owns the consumer drone distribution channels, the retailer relationships and the brand trust.

But here’s what DJI should do: pay attention. With the HOVERAir AQUA drone, Zero Zero has once again found a way to zig where DJI zags. They’ve made waterproofing into a consumer-friendly story. They’re showing there’s appetite for a drone that doesn’t panic at a splash. And if that appetite is real, I’d bet money DJI has a waterproof drone blueprint tucked in a drawer somewhere, ready to roll out the moment they see traction.

In my opinion, DJI doesn’t need to be scared just yet. But if I were DJI? I’d at least get my feet wet.

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