Startup unites drones in super network on Danish soil
A high-flying technology from the startup company SKYFRR has the potential to provide everything from environmental monitoring to logistics with a robust, airborne communications platform – one that works even where traditional signals fail. Odense Robotics StartUp Fund has selected SKYFRR for a spot in the robot incubator at Danish Technological Institute.
SKYFRR has developed a flying network that enables a single operator to control and monitor a large number of drones simultaneously – entirely independently of GPS or traditional communication signals.
The company now aims to bring this technology from prototype to commercial products with support from the Odense Robotics StartUp Fund, which has offered them a place in the incubator at Danish Technological Institute (DTI).
From friendship to technological breakthrough
Behind SKYFRR’s technology stands a team rooted in a friendship of more than 20 years.
Eugene Naumenko and Yaroslav Hirnyak first met while pursuing their shared interests in mountain hiking and technology. Later, Tom Hamilton joined the team.
The partnership arose from the desire to solve a critical problem: How to enable unmanned vehicles to communicate and collaborate effectively in areas where traditional signals do not function or are disrupted.
– Right now, the industry is undergoing a technological shift comparable to the leap from horses to cars – except this time, it’s the transition from human-operated to autonomous machines, says Eugene, CEO, CTO, and co-founder of SKYFRR.
Flying mobile tower
The solution to this challenge lies in their airborne network, which acts as a combination of GPS and a mobile network in the sky – and is additionally able to operate in GPS-jammed environments.
What sets SKYFRR’s technology apart is its scalability. Whereas conventional solutions focus on individual drones, their system allows a single operator to steer and coordinate many drones simultaneously – or let them operate autonomously.
The system acts as a platform capable of solving a wide range of tasks: Surveillance, monitoring, and reconnaissance, operating around the clock.
Wide range of applications
The company’s technology offers potential across many domains, both in Denmark and internationally.
– We are working on everything from environmental monitoring in various parts of the world to applications in space. The same requirements for communication and navigation apply to autonomous systems on land, at sea, in the air, and in space, says Eugene Naumenko.
The technology’s broad range of applications comes from addressing fundamental challenges faced by autonomous robotic solutions – regardless of whether they fly, drive, or swim.
Odense as the perfect match
The road to Odense began with the need for a test area for high-altitude and long-distance flights, which the company found within Denmark’s drone and robotics cluster.
– We originally came to Odense because we were searching for a test area for our drones. That’s where we learned about the robotics ecosystem, including the startup incubator. It’s truly tailor-made for our needs, since we are seeking an environment with the right people, the right technology, the right mindset, and strong support – all the things we need, says Eugene Naumenko.
The company has now been accepted into the Odense Robotics StartUp Fund, where Danish and international robot and drone startups gain access to soft funding, mentors, and an incubator environment at DTI in Odense.
The team behind the innovation
– Yaroslav, Tom, and I all share the same vision for how things should be done. We want to make things simpler for our customers and solve real problems, says Eugene Naumenko.
For SKYFRR, it’s about forward thinking – not just keeping up with the evolution but staying ahead of it.
– Wayne Gretzky, the legendary Canadian hockey player, was once asked about the difference between good and great hockey players. He said: “Good hockey players play where the puck is. Great hockey players play where the puck is going to be.” That’s exactly what we strive for at SKYFRR, concludes Eugene Naumenko.
About SKYFRR
SKYFRR is developing next-generation airborne networks for unmanned robotic vehicles. The company focuses on solving communication, navigation, and networking challenges for autonomous systems that can operate without relying on external signals.
The company was founded by Eugene Naumenko, Yaroslav Hirnyak, and Tom Hamilton.
About Odense Robotics StartUp Fund & Incubator
Odense Robotics StartUp Fund is a commercial foundation with the aim of providing robotics entrepreneurs from Denmark and abroad with easier access to capital, advice, and a strong incubation environment, offering:
- Access to founder-friendly capital in the form of a loan you repay when you are able.
- Strengthening your business strategy, so you are ready to pitch to initial customers and investors.
- Developing your prototype into a viable product at the Danish Technological Institute’s incubator in Odense, where you get office space, collaborate with other startups, and have access to advanced technical equipment.
- Mentorship programs with leading figures from Denmark’s robotics and drone sector, as well as technical experts and business coaches.
- Expanding your network within Denmark’s thriving robotics and drone ecosystem – meet partners, future investors, and other startups.