Aerial Applications selected for Verizon’s 5G First Responder Lab

Verizon‘s 5G First Responder Lab has selected five startups to its inaugural class, and a D.C.-based drone intelligence company made the cut.

Aerial Applications was previously headquartered in Philly but has since moved to D.C. The tech startup collects and processes data from drones, and builds software that makes using that data easy for businesses. During Hurricane Florence, Aerial Applications deployed 20 drones in an effort to gain images to aid in recovery missions. Aerial Applications will be joined by Adcor Magnetic Systems, Kiana Analytics, Blueforce Development and Qwake Technologies for the incubator’s first cohort. Aerial Applications was the only D.C. startup selected for the program.

In November 2018, Verizon announced that it would be partnering with Responder Corp. to launch the 5G First Responder Lab, an incubator program designed to give startups and other innovators access to 5G technology to develop, test and refine 5G solutions. Participants will work out of Alley powered by Verizon, a coworking space where a new Verizon 5G lab was recently installed in the space.

“There’s a clear excitement in the Program to experience how 5G will bring these already powerful solutions to new heights. There’s even more excitement to see how these 5G enabled technologies will help first responders,” Bryce Stirton, cofounder and president of Responder Corp. said in a statement.

Participants will have access to Verizon’s 5G network and the opportunity to collaborate with Responder Corp on 5G product enablement, insight creation, and go-to-market strategies. Baltimore’s ADCOR MAGEnet Systems is also part of the first cohort. There will be 15 innovators split up into three separate cohorts, lasting three months each over the next year. Out of 50 applications, five were selected for the first class based on their ability to enhance in the ready, rebuild, recover and respond to focus areas of an emergency situation.

First companies at @verizon 5G First Responder Lab opening at @youralley in DC w. @ResponderVC announced @adcormagnet @Aerapps @blueforcedev @KianaAnalytics @QwakeTech #AllOurThanks means enabling tech to keep first responders safe.https://t.co/TJvLmztnOj pic.twitter.com/tBGOGHR23P

— David Weissmann (@djweissmann) March 6, 2019

Applications for the second cohort of the incubator are open now through April 5.