The startup taking public safety to new heights – Venturelab
A jury of experts and investors reviewed 90 applications and selected Fotokite to participate in the Venture Leaders Mobile 2022 roadshow. In February, the robotics startup and members of the Swiss National Startup Team will participate in the Mobile World Congress 2022 in Barcelona . Before the 10 entrepreneurs meet with top investors and industry leaders to strengthen their business network and advance their globalization, we want to introduce you to Fotokite CEO Bart Slager
Fotokite’s technology provides first responders with situational awareness from elevated perspectives. Fotokite Sigma is an actively tethered unmanned aerial system that can be launched during fire response, search and rescue missions, or traffic jams to provide first responders with critical aerial insight into the scene.
Last name: Bart Slager
Site: Zürich
Nationality: Dutch
Graduated from: Delft University of Technology, Master in Aerospace Engineering
Job title: Fotokite CEO
Number of employees: 60
The money raised: 21 million francs
First point of contact with Venturelab: January 2022
Bart, can you summarize what Fotokite does?
Fotokite designs, manufactures and supports public safety teams with autonomous robotics and situational intelligence solutions to help them save lives, stay safe and serve their communities.
You were named CEO of Fotokite in January. What interests you in this position?
I enjoy working in dynamic environments with a certain ‘change factor’ and enjoy being part of a company that strives to help public safety teams in their daily missions and save lives. Therefore, I am very motivated by the opportunity to contribute to the expansion and development of Fotokite.
What are your expectations from the Venture Leaders Mobile roadshow and how will it help you realize your vision?
This will be a great opportunity to connect with a large group of quality investors and introduce them to our latest technology developments and outline our expansion in operations as well as our increased presence in North American and European markets. At the same time, we will learn by meeting and listening to others from various sectors of the industry. Having the right business partner(s) will help realize our vision, and we look forward to meeting some of them.
What talent would you like to have?
Play piano. I have taken several years of courses, and I have the basic skills, but it would help to have a little more talent.
What is your favorite book?
by Rutger Bregman Humanity: a story full of hopea positive view of us humans and a useful guide in today’s increasingly cynical world.
What is your favorite movie?
pulp Fiction by Quentin Tarantino. It was fun to watch and turned out to be one of the most important movies of its time that influenced others.
Where and when are you most productive?
Starting the day with a good coffee and being in the office with my colleagues is an ideal start for me to be productive.
How and where to clear your mind?
Cycling, skiing and hiking in the Swiss (and French) mountains are a perfect way to relax and rejuvenate.
What is your biggest professional failure and what have you learned from it?
Making a big decision that I couldn’t explain the rationale for later. The lesson learned is that no matter how difficult a decision, make sure you can explain why you’re making it and how it supports your goal. Don’t make decisions because they “feel” good or because others told you to.
Who inspires you?
Thierry Schmitter, a good friend who broke his back while mountaineering. He regained control of his life, became a three-time 2.4 mR sailing world champion and won a bronze medal at the Paralympic Games in London. His new chapter in life is that he has become a pioneer in sit-kiteboarding.
For more news and updates on Fotokite and the Venture Leaders Mobile, follow the Venture Leaders Mobile 2022 team with #VleadersMobile on social networks or subscribe to our newsletter.
This year’s Venture Leaders Mobile program is supported by Huawei, Swisscom and VISCHER.
Fotokite designs, manufactures and supports public safety teams with live onsite and remote situational awareness solutions to help them save lives, stay safe and serve their communities… Read more