Propeller Aero
Propeller Aero operates a cloud-based 3D drone-mapping and geospatial analytics platform with proprietary PPK workflows and hardware (AeroPoints, DirtMate) for construction, mining, aggregates, waste management, transportation, and surveying customers across North America, Europe, South America, and Oceania.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2014
- HeadquartersSurry Hills, Australia
- Headcount251–500
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingSoftware
What Propeller Aero does
Propeller Aero is an Australia-headquartered (Surry Hills) drone-mapping and geospatial analytics company founded in 2014 that operates a cloud-based platform unifying 3D site maps, photogrammetry and LiDAR processing, machine telematics, and field collaboration for the construction, mining, aggregates, waste management, transportation, and survey/engineering industries. The platform is hardware-agnostic, accepting data from a broad range of drones (DJI Matrice 300/350/400 RTK, Mavic 3 Enterprise, Matrice 4 Enterprise, Phantom 4 RTK, Autel Evo II Pro RTK, Freefly Astro, Quantum Trinity F90+, Skydio X10, Wingtra), GPS/GNSS rovers, total stations, and scanners, while delivering ~3cm survey-grade accuracy through a proprietary PPK (post-processing kinematic) workflow supported by its AeroPoints smart ground control hardware and global Corrections Network. The product portfolio includes the Propeller Platform as the core cloud hub, AeroPoints and the next-generation AeroPoints 2 ground control hardware, DirtMate GNSS receiver with onboard IMU for real-time machine tracking and in-cab guidance, Propeller PPK corrections, Photogrammetry and LiDAR processing services, and Propeller Scale for enterprise deployments, all integrated with Trimble, Procore, Autodesk, HCSS, Carlson, AGTEK, Topcon, and Microsoft OneDrive.
The company monetizes through a combination of SaaS platform subscriptions (quote-based, with a 14-day free trial), $1,000 USD per-unit AeroPoints hardware sales, a $1,000 USD per-year Corrections Network subscription (bundled with platform licenses for the first 12 months), and DirtMate hardware add-ons. Go-to-market is sales-led with direct enterprise field sales teams targeting large construction, mining, aggregates, and waste accounts, supplemented by a self-serve trial funnel and authorized partner resellers for hardware distribution. The customer base includes enterprise accounts such as Cemex, Mortenson, Lehigh Hanson, Lhoist, Bonatti, Rudus/CRH, and Beo Čista Energija alongside mid-market and SMB users, with operations spanning the USA, Ireland, Sweden, Germany, UK, Brazil, and Australia. Propeller has raised nearly $50M in cumulative funding from investors including Blackbird Ventures, Costanoa Ventures, Accel, Aware Super, HSG, and SecondQuarter Ventures, and recently acquired Spacesium (Feb 2026) to embed AI-driven geospatial algorithms and launch the Haul Road Analysis safety tool for mining and aggregates workflows.
Propeller Aero firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Propeller Aero
- Legal name
- Propeller Aerobotics Pty Ltd
- Website
- https://propelleraero.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2014
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 251–500 employees
- Short description
- Propeller Aero operates a cloud-based 3D drone-mapping and geospatial analytics platform with proprietary PPK workflows and hardware (AeroPoints, DirtMate) for construction, mining, aggregates, waste management, transportation, and surveying customers across North America, Europe, South America, and Oceania.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Propeller Aero industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Drone Mapping and Geospatial Analytics Software
- NAICS
- Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing (334511)
- SIC
- Aircraft Parts & Auxiliary Equipment, Nec (3728), Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Aerial Surveying & Crop Scouting (Imaging, Mapping, Stand Counts) (AFACAIAJ)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Drone/UAS Application Services (Spraying, Spreading, Seeding) (AFACAIAB), UAS Ground Control Stations (GCS) & Remote Operations Infrastructure (IMABAIAL)
Keywords
Where Propeller Aero is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Surry Hills
- HQ country
- Australia
- HQ region
- Oceania
Offices1 record
Markets served
Propeller Aero business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Operations, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- SaaS Platform Subscription: Cloud-based platform subscription for mapping, measurement, and project management. Includes data processing, collaboration tools, and analytics. 14-day free trial available.
- AeroPoints Hardware Sales: Sale of AeroPoints smart ground control hardware at $1,000 USD per unit. Includes AeroPoint, AeroStencil, and user manual.
- Corrections Network Subscription: Annual subscription for data processing and correction services. Included with AeroPoints purchase for first 12 months. $1,000 USD per year standalone for non-Platform users.
- DirtMate Hardware: GNSS receiver hardware for machine telematics and real-time positioning. Sold as add-on to platform subscription.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Pay-as-you-go | 14-day free trial available for platform exploration |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | AeroPoints hardware at $1,000 USD per unit |
| Subscription | Annual | Corrections Network at $1,000 USD per year standalone |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels7 records
Propeller Aero product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Propeller Aero sells a cloud-based 3D mapping and analytics platform that unifies drone photogrammetry, LiDAR processing, post-processed kinematic (PPK) corrections, and machine telematics onto a single site map for construction, mining, aggregates, waste management, transportation, and survey/engineering customers. It monetizes the SaaS platform via subscription, sells complementary hardware (AeroPoints smart ground control points at $1,000/unit and DirtMate GNSS receivers for machine telematics), and bundles a global Corrections Network subscription for survey-grade accuracy.
Product overview
Propeller Aero offers a unified 3D mapping and data analytics platform for construction, mining, aggregates, waste management, and transportation industries. The product portfolio consists of the Propeller Platform as the core cloud-based hub for mapping, measuring, and managing worksites, supplemented by specialized hardware products (DirtMate GNSS receiver with machine telematics capabilities and AeroPoints smart ground control points), and processing add-ons (Propeller PPK for post-processed kinematic accuracy, Photogrammetry Processing, and LiDAR Processing for terrain capture through vegetation). Additional modules include progress tracking, volume calculations, machine telematics, field collaboration, daily reporting, and Propeller Scale for enterprise-scale deployments. The platform is hardware-agnostic, accepting data from various drones, GNSS rovers, total stations, and handheld scanners while delivering ~3cm survey-grade accuracy.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- DirtMate: A GNSS receiver with onboard IMU that unlocks machine tracking and real-time survey solutions. It delivers real-time production, progress and productivity insights, integrated with drone maps.
- AeroPoints
- Propeller PPK
Products and services
- Propeller Platform Cloud-based 3D mapping and analytics platform that unifies plans, field data, machines, and people on a single 3D map; provides site checks, volume calculations, progress tracking, machine telematics, field collaboration, daily reporting, and machine productivity tools for construction, mining, aggregates, waste management, transportation, and survey/engineering customers.
- AeroPoints Smart ground control points designed for any drone on any worksite to capture survey-grade data, featuring dual-frequency GNSS with L1/L2 GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou support, onboard processing, solar charging, WiFi connectivity, and delivering 10mm + 1ppm horizontal and 20mm + 1ppm vertical accuracy. Sold at $1,000 USD per unit individually or in bundles of 5 or 10.
- DirtMate Dual-frequency GNSS receiver with onboard IMU that unlocks machine tracking and real-time survey solutions, delivering real-time production, progress, and productivity insights integrated with drone maps; can be mounted on machines, used as a base station, or operated as an RTK rover.
- Propeller PPK Post-processing kinematic workflow for survey-grade drone mapping accuracy; automatically captures, processes, and corrects drone data using AeroPoints and high-accuracy drones to achieve consistent 3cm accuracy across the global Corrections Network.
- Photogrammetry Processing Cloud-based drone photogrammetry processing that turns aerial imagery into accurate 3D site maps, point clouds, and orthomosaics; handles georeferencing, point cloud generation, and orthomosaic creation with expert review and QA/QC.
- LiDAR Processing Drone LiDAR processing service that captures true ground conditions through vegetation; handles PPK corrections, strip alignment, point classification, and QA/QC for DJI Zenmuse L1 and L2 sensors.
Quantifiable outcome
- 22% operational efficiency boost
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Propeller Aero
Customer profileNamed customers15 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Propeller Aero technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- Yes
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration19 records
AI capability6 records
Feature6 records
Propeller Aero partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- SpacesiumcoreAcquired Spacesium to enhance AI-driven geospatial algorithms for automating mining workflows and improving site safety. Integration focuses on spatial data science capabilities for automated daily mining and aggregates workflows and AI-driven safety features including Haul Road Analysis.
- TrimblecorePropeller connects with Trimble Connect and Trimble Business Center allowing design files and terrain models to move in and out of the platform without conversion or extra processing. Supports Trimble coordinate systems and calibration files.
- ProcorecoreDeep integration pushing survey data and site documentation directly into Procore environment, keeping the office current with latest ground conditions.
- AutodeskcoreImport orthophotos, surface models, and DXF files directly into Civil 3D, BIM 360, Autodesk Build, and Aconex without manual uploads or format conversion.
- HCSScoreReplaces outdated satellite imagery in HCSS Plans with current, correctly scaled Propeller orthophotos, ensuring what teams see in Plans matches ground conditions.
- CarlsoncoreExport DXF surface files from Propeller directly into Carlson for survey, design, and machine control workflows without an extra conversion step.
- AGTEKcoreExport DXF and PDF files from Propeller into AgTek so quantity calculations are grounded in measured terrain rather than just plans.
- TopconcoreUse existing .gc3 files to set up local site calibration in Propeller, then move LandXML and DXF files between platforms for consistent coordinate system and design data.
- Autodesk AECO Technology Partner EcosystemcorePart of Autodesk's AECO (Architecture, Engineering, Construction, and Operations) technology partner ecosystem for integrated workflows.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Propeller Aero competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- DroneDeploy: DroneDeploy is a cloud-based drone mapping and analytics platform serving construction, mining, aggregates, and energy — the same core verticals as Propeller, with comparable photogrammetry and progress-tracking workflows.
- Pix4D: Pix4D provides photogrammetry and drone mapping software (PIX4Dmatic, PIX4Dcloud) used by surveyors and construction firms. It is a direct competitor in turning drone imagery into survey-grade 2D/3D outputs.
- Skycatch: Skycatch offers automated drone data capture and 3D site modeling for construction and mining — directly comparable to Propeller's photogrammetry-driven site intelligence for earthworks and aggregates customers.
Broad incumbents
- Trimble: Trimble is a large incumbent in geospatial and construction technology, with Trimble Stratus for drone surveying and Trimble Business Center for site data — overlapping with Propeller's positioning, calibration, and survey workflows.
- Bentley Systems (iTwin): Bentley's iTwin platform aggregates infrastructure digital twins, including reality modeling from drone captures, putting it in adjacent competition with Propeller for owner-operators and engineering firms managing infrastructure assets.
- Autodesk Construction Cloud: Autodesk Construction Cloud (Civil 3D, BIM 360, Autodesk Build) integrates with Propeller today but competes in adjacent workflows; expansion of its own reality-capture capabilities could create direct overlap with Propeller's value proposition.
- Esri (ArcGIS): Esri's ArcGIS platform is the dominant geospatial analytics and mapping system used by enterprises and government agencies, providing broader competition for site-level geospatial data management and visualization.
Emerging players
- OpenSpace: OpenSpace provides AI-powered 360° photo documentation and progress tracking for construction, overlapping with Propeller's progress-tracking and visual-as-built use cases for general contractors.
- vHive: vHive provides drone-based digital twin solutions for construction and infrastructure asset inspections, competing in the same surveying and progress-monitoring use cases that Propeller targets in transportation and infrastructure.
Others
- DJI Enterprise: DJI is the dominant drone manufacturer whose hardware (Matrice, Mavic, Phantom, Zenmuse L1/L2 LiDAR) underpins Propeller's customer workflows — an ecosystem enabler whose roadmap and pricing directly affect Propeller's go-to-market.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Propeller Aero social profiles
Digital presencePropeller Aero compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
Propeller Aero financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Propeller Aero leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
Propeller Aero subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
Propeller Aero funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds8 records
Investors10 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Propeller Aero M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A1 record
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Propeller Aero
What does Propeller Aero do?
Propeller Aero sells a cloud-based 3D mapping and analytics platform that unifies drone photogrammetry, LiDAR processing, post-processed kinematic (PPK) corrections, and machine telematics onto a single site map for construction, mining, aggregates, waste management, transportation, and survey/engineering customers. It monetizes the SaaS platform via subscription, sells complementary hardware (AeroPoints smart ground control points at $1,000/unit and DirtMate GNSS receivers for machine telematics), and bundles a global Corrections Network subscription for survey-grade accuracy.
Is Propeller Aero a public or private company?
Propeller Aero is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was Propeller Aero founded?
Propeller Aero was founded in 2014. It employs 251 to 500 people.
Where is Propeller Aero based?
Propeller Aero is headquartered in Surry Hills, Australia, in the Oceania region.
How does Propeller Aero make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. SaaS Platform Subscription is the primary driver. The others are aeroPoints Hardware Sales, corrections Network Subscription and dirtMate Hardware.
Who are Propeller Aero's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are DroneDeploy, Pix4D and Skycatch. Broad incumbents are Trimble, Bentley Systems (iTwin), Autodesk Construction Cloud and Esri (ArcGIS). Emerging players are OpenSpace and vHive. DJI Enterprise is listed as an others.
Does Propeller Aero have an API?
Yes. Propeller offers a read-only public API that lets users pull site measurement data, terrain files, and reports directly into CAD or GIS platforms. Data that can be queried includes site and survey information to pull terrain files automatically. The API is read-only by default. Developer documentation is at propelleraero.readme.io/docs/getting-started.
What industry is Propeller Aero in?
Propeller Aero's product category is Drone Mapping and Geospatial Analytics Software. Its primary akta.pro industry code is AFACAIAJ, Aerial Surveying & Crop Scouting (Imaging, Mapping, Stand Counts), with a secondary code of AFACAIAB, Drone/UAS Application Services (Spraying, Spreading, Seeding). Its NAICS code is 334511 and its SIC code is 3728.