Jean-Baptiste Pietri (EDHEC BBA 2005) takes on Chicago with Drone 06

Drone 06 is a Nice-based company that was founded in 2008 in specialises in recording aerial images by drone. The business has been a pioneer in professional drone usage in France and has developed around core values: professionalism, rigour, experience and safety. Drone 06 is pursuing its development strategy and recently announced the opening of a new commercial office in Chicago.

Recognised for its impressive technical capabilities and with a number of high-visibility missions under its belt, Drone 06 essentially works on large-scale advertising or cinematic projects, as well as complex technical or security missions. The business currently has 10 specialized staff members and is now enhancing its reputation abroad with several commercial partnerships, including with the world market leader DJI.

Jean-Baptiste Pietri, co-founder of Drone 06 and a 2005 graduate from the EDHEC International BBA programme, agreed to talk to us and answer our questions: 

Tell us about your current responsibilities.

I’m in charge of the company’s commercial and strategic development. I’m also managing the structural organization of our new subsidiary in Chicago. 

What are the opportunities and obstacles in your sector?

Clearly the regulatory framework, and in particular the entry into force on 31/12/2020 of the new EU regulation, are designed to impose strict restrictions on our activities. But these mainly apply to amateurs and actually help establish professional activities as a kind of sanctuary, guaranteeing the traceability of operators as well as mandatory training, both practical and theoretical.
It’s still a growth sector but on more specialised markets. It is neither an El Dorado nor a hobby. Rigour and professionalism are the watchwords for anyone who wants to find their place.
The main obstacle continues to be the fact that the largely deregulated market is clogged: 95% of its players are freelancers or businesses without any strategic vision. 

How do you see the sector in 10 years? What innovations can we expect?

I would like to think that the sector will become better structured with greater reliance on and recognition of professional qualifications. In terms of innovation, the main feature is and will continue to be autonomy. Currently everything is based on lithium, but perhaps in the future new sources of clean and fairer energy will see the light of day. 

Drone 06 is establishing its presence in the US, what is at stake in this new challenge?

There are many stakes. First, it will allow us to develop a new business axis at the heart of the world’s leading economic power. This expansion will also help us promote France and the French Riviera by simplifying and streamlining filming projects for American clients. Finally, it will be easier for us to meet the demands of French filming projects with a flexible and mobile team across the Atlantic.

What lessons did you keep from EDHEC?

The appetite for entrepreneurship and innovation of course, but also the strength to present arguments and structure ideas to develop a viable project that can find its captive audience.