Marketing my drone start-up business

David

Thika, Kenya, Kenya

14% repaid

Entrepreneur

Name

David

Member since

February 2015

On-time repayments

107 installments  •  24%

About Me

For the last more than one decade, I have worked in many capacities as a journalist. Some of the positions I have held include news correspondent where I would gather news and package them in articles, pictures and films for newspapers, television, radio and online platforms.

Passion then drove me to start film production as a business which I have done for several years using personal camcoders or hired professional cameras.

Two or so years ago, I learnt about drones and got amazed at the great solutions they offer by enabling capturing of aerial imagery from angles that would otherwise be impossible using an ordinary camera.

I was greatly excited by the technology so much so that I decided to take part in the first international drone competition by the United Arab Emirates dubbed UAE Drones For Good Award https://www.dronesforgood.ae The competition was meant to showcase the use of drone technology for humanity.

Out of over 800 entries from contestants in 57 countries across the globe, I was among the best 19 who reached the semi finals with one of my submissions; 'Drone for better service delivery in slums' where I propose to use the UAV technology for mapping slums in order to allow better urban planning and infrastructural development.

That proposal earned me the biggest number of votes beating the other 18 international semi-finalists to win an International Community Award for the UAE Drones for Good Most Voted Idea.

The award ‘From Idea to Reality’ sponsored by Indra, saw me trained on innovation, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, smart cities and entrepreneurship.

My winning proposal spells out a plan to partner with the government and other key stakeholders in generating quality spatial data that can inform decision making and policy formulation in matters of urban planning and development.

As an entrepreneur, I plan to purchase a professional filming drone and position myself as a drone correspondent. This way, I will be commissioned by leading television networks and civil organizations to capture news footage of important issues.

In April 2016, I was among stakeholders invited by the local Civil Aviation Authority to discuss and make input into a policy on use of drones in Kenya. This policy is expected to be operational soon and will open up business opportunities for my business.

My Business

In order to create a niche in the relatively new drone industry, I want to establish myself as a drone journalist and film maker.

While I can do this using hired equipment or services, I would achieve more by having my own drone.

I want to embark on a serious marketing exercise for my business and I am convinced I will reach the many prospective clients that I have identified in my elaborate business plan.

The cost of a professional equipment is high and I have tried crowd funding twice with no success.

I am looking up on your support as Zidisha community to boost me and my business through this loan and I trust you will heed my call.

My costs include marketing and advertising , hiring of drones or UAV services and transport.

Loan Proposal

Drone technology is still new in Kenya and Africa at large. I want to use this loan to create awareness through marketing of my business to prospective clients.
This will help in creating demand for my services and give me an opportunity to turn prospects into business.

My costs include;
Marketing and advertising -4000
Hiring of drones/UAV services - 6000 and
Transport - 2112

Feedback

3

None

None



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Loan Info

Project Type

Classic Loan

Disbursed amount

$142.00

Date disbursed

May 19, 2016

Repayment status

Late

Projected term

14 months

Lenders

M

mikedufty

Perth, Australia

TomF925

www.AfricaLeap.com, United States

DR

Daniel R

Berlin, Germany

Karijn

Amsterdam, Netherlands

Jon

Sweden

V

Vivek

Arlington, VA, United States

PG

Paul Graham

United States

E

Enda

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

E

EABF

Netherlands

Craig Newmark

United States

The Zinc Team

San Francisco, United States

Humble Bundle Community

San Francisco, United States

HCPSPIRIT

Helsinki, Finland

S

soopisgoodfood

United States

Ask David a question about this project, share news and photos of your own, or send a simple note of thanks or inspiration.

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  • David    Sep 8, 2016

    Embarking on marketing my business and building a client data base. Hopeful for growth.

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  • TomF925    Jul 6, 2016

    David,
    I recommend that you talk with Zidisha, decrease your loan payments and extend the time. This will help you keep your credit intact. You are smart and diligent, but sometimes life and business doesn't cooperate. Talk with Zidisha, they can help.

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  • David    May 19, 2016

    I have received a loan of KES 13,993 from Zidisha team. Thank you lenders. Am grateful for your continued support. Looking forward to grow my business.

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  • David    May 18, 2016

    Let me take this chance to appreciate the kind guesture by the Lenders and the entire Zidisha community. This loan will help me in the initial steps of raising my drone startup from the ground. I will spend the money to market my new business. I will also use it to hire a drone or drone services. Thank you once more. God bless you.

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  • David    May 12, 2016

    www.bloomberg.com/news/arti...
    The global market for commercial applications of drone technology, currently estimated at about $2 billion, will balloon to as much as $127 billion by 2020, consulting group PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP said in a report published on Monday.

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  • David    May 9, 2016

    Thank you lenders for your support. My drone business is taking shape with new contacts and a growing list of prospective clients. This plus a policy on use of Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems in my country, that is almost ready makes me really encouraged to forge on.

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  • David    May 7, 2016

    May 7 is International drone Day. In Kenya we are glad having made strides forward with the civil aviation and stakeholders presently working on a draft policy on use of Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems /Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

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  • David    Mar 23, 2016

    Thank you lenders once again. I have received a loan of 12,112 KES which will help me in renting UAV for filming.

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  • David    Mar 19, 2016

    Many thanks to all the lenders for your support

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  • David    Mar 14, 2016

    UAVs

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  • David    Mar 7, 2016

    Thanks to all lenders for your support.

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  • David    Mar 3, 2016

    I want to clear the outstanding amount

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  • David    Oct 19, 2015

    Unforeseen challenges

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  • David    Sep 22, 2015

    Dear Zidisha community. I am fundraising for a mapping project that seeks to transform slums in Kenya and beyond to smart cities. My call goes to well wishers, individuals and corporates who would be happy to improve the lives of millions of the urban poor living in informal settlements, through better mapping and urban planning programs, to support my project by donating and spreading the word about this campaign. See my project using the link below. Thank you.
    www.onepercentclub.com/en/#...

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  • David    Sep 5, 2015

    Developing a business plan. Its not easy. No complains though. A lot of learning. it's a must do task for any enterprise to achieve great results. I would surely recommend this to other young entrepreneurs.

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  • David    Aug 27, 2015

    Taking entrepreneurship training

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  • David    Aug 3, 2015

    Delayed payment

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  • David    Aug 3, 2015

    I need upto 1 week to clear late instalments

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  • David    Jun 23, 2015

    Dear Lenders. I received the loan of 10,098 KES or 106 USD. I will buy capsicums and avocados to supply to different markets. Thank you. I really appreciate

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  • David    Jun 17, 2015

    Thank you so much Zidisha community and all lenders who contributed in raising my loan. I have sought orders for horticultural produce, i.e. fruits and vegetables, especially avocados and capsicum which I will buy and supply to different markets. I really appreciate your support.

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