SPH Engineering

What SPH Engineering does

SPH Engineering is a Riga, Latvia-based developer of drone flight planning software and integrated sensor systems, founded in 2013 and operating the UgCS (Universal Ground Control Software) platform as its core product. UgCS is a desktop application that supports 100+ drone platforms (DJI, Blue UAS, Freefly, Autel, ArduPilot/PX4) and multiple specialized sensor payloads including LiDAR, ground-penetrating radar, magnetometers, echo sounders, gamma-ray spectrometers, and methane detectors, with proprietary capabilities such as True Terrain Following via the SkyHub onboard computer and Circlegrammetry photogrammetry (published in ISPRS Open Journal, November 2025). The company serves professional surveyors, geophysicists, researchers, and industrial operators across mining, oil & gas, utilities, construction, and academia, including named users such as the Geological Survey of Norway, Dalhousie University, Trident Industries, and Ileron.

The business operates a freemium-plus-paid software model through UgCS Open (free), UgCS Expert/PRO (LiDAR-grade mission planning), and UgCS Enterprise (multi-user, custom workflows), with both subscription and perpetual license options. Revenue is supplemented by sales of integrated hardware systems (SkyHub, MALÅ GeoDrone 600, Zond Aero 600 NG, EchoNIMBUS MBES/SSS, MagNIMBUS), training and certification through SPH Academy, a separate Drone Show Software division responsible for 12+ Guinness World Record light shows, and a commission-free marketplace launched in May 2026 connecting enterprise clients with 100+ vetted drone operators and rental partners across 38 countries. Distribution combines direct enterprise sales, an e-commerce storefront, reseller and educational partner channels, and the marketplace; North America accounts for approximately one-third of marketplace partners, with partner sales growing 30% year-over-year from 2024 to 2025.

The company is privately held with no disclosed external funding rounds, institutional investors, or parent company; it maintains 11-50 employees and is led by co-founder and CTO Alexey Dobrovolskiy alongside a board. Recent strategic activity has centered on product surface expansion (UgCS 5.9 in May 2025, UgCS Open in March 2025, MBES payload in September 2025, 600 MHz GPR antennas in November 2025, AI-assisted mission planning in March 2026) and channel expansion (marketplace in May 2026, Vets to Drones partnership in June 2026).

Name

SPH Engineering

Legal name

SPH Engineering

Website

https://ugcs.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2013

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

SPH Engineering is a Riga-based drone software and integrated sensor systems developer operating the UgCS flight planning platform, serving professional surveyors, geophysicists, and researchers across mining, oil & gas, utilities, and academia with 5,000+ customer teams globally.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Drone Flight Planning Software

NAICS

Computer Systems Design and Related Services (5415), Computer Systems Design Services (541512)

SIC

Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYIMABAIAL

UAS Ground Control Stations (GCS) & Remote Operations Infrastructure

Industrials, Manufacturing & Construction/Aerospace & Defense Manufacturing/Unmanned Aerial Systems (Drones) & Autonomous Platforms

SECONDARYBPAMANAM

Satellite Imagery & Remote Sensing Geospatial Platforms

Business & Public Services/Web, Mobile & Digital Platforms/Maps, Location & Navigation Platforms

SECONDARYAFAAADAB

Aerial Application Drones & UAS Spray Systems

Agriculture & Food Production/Agricultural Equipment & Technology/Crop Protection Application Equipment (Sprayers, Drones, Spreaders)

Keywords

• Drone flight planning
• UAV mission software
• LiDAR survey software
• Geophysical survey tools
• Drone photogrammetry software

Headquarters

HQ city

Riga

HQ country

Latvia

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Infrastructure, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Software Licenses: UgCS software sold as subscription or perpetual one-time license. Free tier (UgCS Open) with paid upgrades to Expert and Enterprise versions. Enterprise covers custom sensor integration, larger fleets, and proprietary workflows. All paid licenses include long-term software updates and direct support.
2. Hardware Sales: Sale of integrated systems including GPR antennas (Zond Aero series), magnetometers (MagNIMBUS), echo sounders (EchoNIMBUS), methane detectors, SkyHub onboard computers, and other sensor payloads.
3. Marketplace Connection Service: Commission-free connection service connecting enterprise clients with vetted drone operators and equipment rental partners. Platform drives customer acquisition for core UgCS software and payload hardware rather than direct transaction revenue.
4. Training Services: SPH Academy provides training programs and certifications for drone operators using UgCS. Bi-weekly webinars conducted for team onboarding.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

SPH Engineering develops and sells UgCS (Universal Ground Control Software), a desktop drone flight planning and control platform that supports 100+ UAV platforms and an extensive sensor ecosystem including LiDAR, ground-penetrating radar, magnetometers, multi-beam echo sounders, and methane detectors. Beyond the core UgCS platform, the company sells integrated hardware payloads (SkyHub onboard computer, GPR antennas, MagNIMBUS, EchoNIMBUS MBES/SSS), runs a separate Drone Show Software division for entertainment drone light shows, and offers training through SPH Academy. The company also operates a commission-free drone equipment marketplace across 38 countries connecting enterprise clients with vetted operators and equipment partners.

Product overview

SPH Engineering is a Riga-based drone software developer offering a comprehensive UAV ecosystem centered on UgCS flight planning software. The portfolio includes the core UgCS platform (available in free Open tier, professional, and Enterprise tiers), multi-drone fleet operations (UgCS Commander), multi-sensor data processing (GeoHammer), and online GIS viewing (DroneGIS). Hardware offerings comprise SkyHub onboard computer with True Terrain Following, specialized GPR payloads (MALÅ GeoDrone 600, Zond Aero 600 NG), bathymetric sensors (EchoNIMBUS MBES/SSS), and magnetometer systems (MagNIMBUS). The company also operates a Drone Show Software division for entertainment applications and maintains a training academy. A drone equipment marketplace launched May 2026 connects enterprise clients with vetted operators across 38 countries.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• UgCS Open: Free version of UAV flight-planning software with core features including 3D flight planning, terrain-aware automation, and mission control.
• UgCS Expert
• UgCS Enterprise
• UgCS Commander
• UgCS for Research
• SkyHub
• EchoNIMBUS
• MagNIMBUS
• GeoHammer
• DroneGIS

Products and services

• UgCS (Universal Ground Control Software) Desktop drone flight planning and control software for professional UAV missions, supporting 100+ drone platforms and sensors including LiDAR, GPR, magnetometers, bathymetric sensors, and methane detectors. Offers 3D mission preview, terrain following, offline operation, and dedicated LiDAR toolsets for surveying, mining, oil & gas, utilities, and academic research customers.
• SkyHub Drone Onboard Computer

Quantifiable outcome

• 64% less flight time, 83% less processing time, 78% fewer images with same 1.4cm accuracy using Circlegrammetry (Dalhousie University case study)
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers13 records

Segments8 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration13 records

AI capability2 records

Feature9 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• Vets to DronescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 June 2026Strategic partnership with Vets to Drones, a U.S. nonprofit helping veterans transition into commercial drone careers. Veterans receive training on UgCS flight planning software for professional surveying, mapping, and inspection operations, plus 30% discount on core licenses to reduce barriers to launching drone service businesses. Initiative addresses drone industry workforce development challenge.
• Drone Equipment Marketplace PartnerscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 May 2026Commission-free drone equipment marketplace connecting enterprise clients with vetted operators and equipment rental partners. Platform has 100+ global partners across 38 countries, with North America accounting for about one-third. Received approximately 70 applications within first day including ~40 new partnership requests.
• DJIcoreTechnology or IntegrationDeep integration partnership with DJI. UgCS connects directly to DJI drones through DJI Pilot 2, UgCS for DJI mobile app, and Companion app. Supports DJI L-series (L1, L2, L3), Matrice series, Mavic series, and Phantom series. Routes can be pushed from desktop to DJI controllers via cloud sync.
• Blue UAScoreTechnology or IntegrationBlue UAS ecosystem partnership supporting NDAA-compliant operations. When government or defense contracts require Blue sUAS platforms, UgCS enables platform switching without changing mission planning software or retraining pilots.
• YellowScanmajorTechnology or IntegrationLong-term integration partnership with YellowScan, a leading LiDAR sensor manufacturer. YellowScan pilots use UgCS for LiDAR mission planning due to its simplicity, reliability, and dedicated LiDAR tools.
• Malå GeoDronemajorTechnology or IntegrationProduct integration for MALÅ GeoDrone 600, a 600 MHz GPR antenna for high-resolution subsurface mapping with UAV integration and automated flight functions.
• Cerulean SurveyormajorTechnology or IntegrationIntegration with Cerulean Surveyor sensors (240-16 for MBES, 450SS for SSS) for EchoNIMBUS bathymetric and sonar systems enabling UAV-based water depth mapping.
• GeometricsmajorTechnology or IntegrationIntegration with Geometrics MagArrow Mk2 magnetometer for UAV-based magnetic surveys in geophysical applications.
• SENSYSmajorTechnology or IntegrationIntegration with SENSYS MagDrone R1, R3, and R4 magnetometer systems for drone-based magnetic field surveys.
• Freefly SystemsmajorTechnology or IntegrationIntegration with Freefly Alta X and Freefly Astro drones, supporting HereLink controller connectivity and PX4 autopilot.
• Inspired FlightmajorTechnology or IntegrationIntegration with Inspired Flight drones (IF800, IF1200, IF1200A, IF750) for professional UAV applications.
• QuSpinmajorTechnology or IntegrationIntegration with QuSpin Gen-2 magnetometer sensor in MagNIMBUS system for UAV-based magnetic surveys.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• DroneDeploy: Drone mapping and flight planning platform for enterprise drone operations across construction, agriculture, and inspection. Closely comparable to UgCS as a multi-vertical drone mission planning and data platform with a SaaS go-to-market.
• Pix4D: Photogrammetry and drone mapping software with mission planning tools. Comparable to UgCS in survey-grade mapping workflows and as a software layer used alongside multiple drone OEMs in surveying, construction, and inspection.
• PrecisionHawk: Drone data analytics and flight planning platform serving enterprise customers in utilities, agriculture, and inspection. Comparable to UgCS as a multi-vertical enterprise drone software stack with both planning and analytics.
• Auterion: Open-source-based drone operating system and ground control software for PX4/ArduPilot fleets. Directly comparable to UgCS in multi-platform planning and government/defense (Blue UAS) compatibility.
• AirData UAV: Drone flight logging, fleet management, and mission planning SaaS for enterprise and prosumer operators. Comparable to UgCS as a software-led drone operations platform.

Broad incumbents

• DJI (DJI FlightHub / DJI Pilot): Largest commercial drone OEM, bundling DJI Pilot and FlightHub planning software with its hardware. A broad incumbent that competes with UgCS by providing free, tightly integrated planning for the dominant installed base.
• Skydio: US-based autonomous drone OEM with its own mission planning and fleet management software. A broad incumbent competing with UgCS especially in inspection, public safety, and defense.
• senseFly (Parrot): Fixed-wing drone manufacturer with eMotion flight planning software for survey and mapping. Comparable to UgCS as a survey-oriented planning platform with integrated hardware.

Emerging players

• Litchi: Third-party drone flight planning app focused on waypoint and cinematic missions for prosumer users. Comparable to UgCS in mission planning category but at a narrower, lower-end use case.

Others

• YellowScan: Leading LiDAR sensor manufacturer with which SPH has a long-term integration partnership. Adjacent/partner rather than direct competitor, but highly comparable because both sell into the same UAV-LiDAR survey workflow.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• GitHubgithub.com/ugcs/GeoHammer/wiki
• Xx.com/SPHEngineering
• Facebookfacebook.com/SPHEngineering
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/sph-engineering

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about SPH Engineering