Talk about making waves in the Top End! Melbourne-based XM2 Earth has just nabbed the runner-up spot at this year’s Croc Pitch 2024 Event, wowing the crowd at Darwin Innovation Hub with their clever tethered drone technology. The achievement has opened doors to investment talks with the Paspalis Innovation Investment Fund (PIIF), who sponsored this exciting showcase of NT innovation.
What’s got everyone talking? XM2 Earth’s impressive XTD 120 system – imagine a drone that can lift more than 10kg and stay in the air practically forever. It’s already turning heads in mining, telecommunications and defence sectors, and it’s not just talk either. When disaster struck during the 2023 Maui bushfires, a major US telco put the XTD 120 to work, proving its worth when the going got tough.
The Melbourne team isn’t stopping there. They’ve got their sights set on the Territory, with plans to team up with Charles Darwin University and the North Australia Centre for Autonomous Systems. Their goal? Getting these clever drones working autonomously in some of Australia’s most remote spots, while creating solid tech jobs for locals.
Fresh off their Darwin success, XM2 Earth is powering ahead with new developments – think smarter tether systems and powerful LED lighting solutions. They’re even working to make their tech play nice with other manufacturers drones, showing how collaboration can drive innovation.
This nod from Croc Pitch and discussions with the Paspalis Innovation Investment Fund (PIIF) are giving XM2 Earth the boost they need to chase their big vision: bringing cutting-edge drone technology to the places that need it most, whether that’s during emergencies or everyday operations in Australia’s most challenging environments.
About Croc Pitch 2024
Since 2018, the Darwin Innovation Hub has been turning up the heat on startup success with Croc Pitch – Northern Australia’s premier pitch competition that’s got everyone talking. This isn’t your average startup showdown; it’s where game-changing ideas meet serious investment through support of the Paspalis Innovation Investment Fund (PIIF).
