Escadrone
Escadrone is a France-based distributor and professional trainer of autonomous robotics — aerial drones, terrestrial robots, surface bathymetric drones, and subsea ROVs — serving industrial, infrastructure, maritime, security, and media clients with hardware resale, training across 11 centres, and in-house R&D customisation.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2014
- HeadquartersMontbonnot-saint-martin, France
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Escadrone does
Escadrone SASU is a French distributor, trainer, and customiser of professional autonomous robotics, headquartered in Montbonnot-Saint-Martin near Grenoble. The company operates across all four operating domains — aerial (DJI Enterprise multirotor and fixed-wing drones from Wingtra and Delair, with LiDAR, thermal, and multispectral payloads), terrestrial (AgileX tracked platforms, Unitree wheeled quadruped and humanoid robots, Pipe Trekker and Deep Trekker crawlers), marine surface (proprietary Bathydrone VASCO with HYDROMAGIC integration), and subsea (Deep Trekker and Qysea ROVs with BRIDGE controller and sonar/USBL options). It holds DJI Enterprise Silver Partner status and is the official French distributor for Deep Trekker, Qysea, Wingtra, AgileX, Unitree, Pipe Trekker, MicaSense, and Emlid, complemented by an in-house R&D and 3D-printing workshop that adapts equipment to client specifications.
The company monetises through four intertwined revenue streams: hardware resale via an e-commerce storefront (escadrone.com) and direct sales advisors, professional training delivered at 11 centres across France and on client premises (DGAC pilot certification, STS-01/STS-02, photogrammetry, bathymetry, ROV piloting, with CPF/OPCO funding eligibility under Qualiopi certification), R&D customisation and equipment adaptation, and ongoing support/maintenance contracts. Pricing is largely quote-based for enterprise hardware, with publicly listed prices for selected SKUs (e.g., €7,973 ex-VAT for the DJI Matrice 400, €32,100 ex-VAT for the VASCO, €52,830 for the Deep Trekker Pivot base pack, €6,000–€19,500 for AgileX robots) and €825 ex-VAT for standard 2-day training.
Escadrone targets a broad vertical mix: geomatics, construction and BTP; energy, infrastructure and industry; maritime and offshore; emergency services, security and defence; natural environments and agriculture; audiovisual and media; and research and academia. Named reference customers include ENEDIS (subsea cable inspection in Morbihan), Seaway Transport Maritimes (ROV cable inspection between Groix and Lorient), Val Thorens ski resort (DJI Dock 3 autonomous surveillance), archaeological research teams, and individual heritage documentation professionals. The company is independently owned, founder-led by President Nicolas Hebert, with no external funding or parent company disclosed.
Escadrone firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Escadrone
- Legal name
- Escadrone SASU
- Website
- https://escadrone.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2014
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Escadrone is a France-based distributor and professional trainer of autonomous robotics — aerial drones, terrestrial robots, surface bathymetric drones, and subsea ROVs — serving industrial, infrastructure, maritime, security, and media clients with hardware resale, training across 11 centres, and in-house R&D customisation.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Escadrone industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Professional Drone Distribution and Services
- NAICS
- Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing (334511)
- SIC
- Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812), Misc Industrial & Commercial Machinery & Equipment (3590)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Small Unmanned Aerial Systems (sUAS) & Multirotor Drones (IMABAIAA)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Autonomy Software, AI & Mission Management (UAS/UXV) (IMABAIAH)
Keywords
Where Escadrone is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Montbonnot-saint-martin
- HQ country
- France
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
Escadrone business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Drone and Robotics Hardware Distribution: Escadrone distributes a complete range of professional drones: aerial (multirotor and fixed-wing), terrestrial (crawlers and walking robots), marine surface drones, and subsea ROVs. Also distributes sensors (LiDAR, thermal, multispectral, cameras), GNSS systems, scanners, batteries, propellers and accessories. Revenue generated through product sales with a commercial advisory team guiding clients to appropriate equipment.
- Professional Training Services: Escadrone is one of the three largest drone training organisations in France and the only one that is also a distributor. They offer training across 11 centres nationwide and in-house, covering drone pilot certification (DGAC exam preparation), specific STS scenarios, photogrammetry, bathymetry, and underwater ROV operations. Trainings are eligible for multiple funding bodies (OPCO, CPF).
- R&D, Customisation and Modification: An in-house R&D workshop allows Escadrone to adapt and evolve equipment to meet the most specific client demands. This custom engineering capability differentiates them from pure resellers and generates revenue through bespoke configuration services.
- Support, Maintenance and After-Sales Services: A support and maintenance pole is available 5 days/week (8h–18h) for equipment support, maintenance, preventive maintenance contracts, and administrative assistance (regulatory document drafting, MAP, DNC, activity declarations). Warranty management and manufacturer liaison for hardware returns.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | DJI Matrice 400 professional aerial drone platform |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | DJI Zenmuse L3 LiDAR sensor |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | DJI Zenmuse P1 photogrammetric sensor |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Deep Trekker Pivot ROV — base price (Pack Smart) |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Bathydrone VASCO marine surface drone |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Bunker Mini Agile X terrestrial robot |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Bunker Pro Agile X terrestrial robot |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Scout Mini Agile X terrestrial robot |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | DJI Matrice 4 Enterprise |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | DJI Matrice 4 Thermal (4T) |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | DJI Matrice 4D & 4DT |
| Subscription | Pay-as-you-go | Operational Pilot Training — Category Open (Experts Chaleur Bois discounted) |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels8 records
Escadrone product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Escadrone is a French distributor and service provider for professional autonomous robotics, covering aerial drones (quadcopters, fixed-wing), terrestrial robots (crawlers, walking robots, quadrupeds, humanoids), marine surface drones (bathymetric), and subsea ROVs. The company combines hardware distribution with DGAC-compliant pilot training across 11 centres in France, an in-house R&D workshop for customisation, and ongoing support and maintenance. They hold Silver Partner DJI Enterprise status and are official French distributor for Deep Trekker, Qysea, Wingtra, Agile X, and Unitree.
Product overview
Escadrone is a comprehensive professional drone and autonomous robotics solutions provider offering aerial drones (quadcopters, LiDAR mapping systems, thermal inspection), underwater ROVs for inspection and intervention, marine surface drones for bathymetric surveys, and terrestrial robots (tracked crawlers, wheeled platforms, quadruped and humanoid robots). The company operates as a full-value-chain partner offering distribution of major brands (DJI Enterprise Silver Partner, Deep Trekker official distributor), professional training programs (11 centers across France), repair/maintenance services, and R&D customization workshops. Core product lines include DJI Matrice series drones with thermal/LiDAR payloads, Deep Trekker underwater ROVs (Pivot, Revolution) for depths up to 305m with 4K cameras and sonar integration, Bathydrone VASCO surface drones for bathymetric surveys with RTK GNSS and interchangeable sonar sensors, and Agile X/Unitree terrestrial robots for industrial inspection and security applications. Software ecosystem includes Pix4D and Agisoft for photogrammetry, HYDROMAGIC for hydrographic surveys, and BRIDGE Controller for ROV operations.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- DJI Matrice 400
Quantifiable outcome
- Vasco bathymetric drone achieves up to 8 hours autonomy with hot-swappable batteries and deploys in under 10 minutes by a single operator
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Escadrone
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments7 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Escadrone technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration10 records
AI capability9 records
Feature5 records
Escadrone partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
17 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.
- DJI (DJI Enterprise)flagshipEscadrone is a Silver Partner DJI Enterprise, distributing the full range of DJI professional aerial drones including Matrice 400, Matrice 350 RTK, Matrice 4 series, Inspire 3, and DJI Enterprise sensors (LiDAR L3, Zenmuse P1, thermal cameras). DJI represents the primary aerial drone brand in Escadrone's portfolio.
- Deep TrekkerflagshipOfficial distributor of Deep Trekker products in France, covering the complete range of underwater ROVs (DTG3, Pivot, Revolution), terrestrial crawlers (DT340, DT640, ONYX), and accessories. Deep Trekker is a Canadian manufacturer specialised in inspection and intervention ROVs. Escadrone manages the full customer relationship including training, support, and warranty handling in France.
- Pix4DcorePartnership for photogrammetry software. Escadrone distributes Pix4D licences and offers associated training (e.g., 'Formation photogrammétrie par drone'). Pix4D is a leading photogrammetry software provider.
- AgisoftcorePartnership for photogrammetric modelling software. Agisoft Metashape is distributed by Escadrone for 3D reconstruction from imagery.
- QyseacoreOfficial distributor of Qysea underwater drones and ROVs in France. Qysea manufactures compact underwater robotic vehicles for inspection and professional use.
- WingtracoreOfficial distributor of Wingtra VTOL fixed-wing drones in France, covering professional aerial mapping and surveying applications.
- DelairminorPartnership for Delair professional fixed-wing drones in the French market.
- EmlidminorOfficial Emlid partner for GNSS receiver and RTK positioning solutions distributed by Escadrone.
- Pipe TrekkerminorOfficial distributor of Pipe Trekker pipeline inspection robots (A-150, A-200) in France.
- HydromagiccorePartnership for Hydromagic hydrographic survey software, integrated into the Bathydrone VASCO marine drone for bathymetric mission planning, acquisition, and data processing.
- MicaSenseminorPartnership for MicaSense multispectral sensors (e.g., RedEdge-P, Altum-PT) used in precision agriculture and environmental monitoring with professional drones.
- Safe ClusterminorMembership in the Safe Cluster innovation cluster, positioning Escadrone within a collaborative ecosystem focused on security and autonomous systems in France.
- Hydro21minorMembership in Hydro21, a competitiveness cluster focused on water and marine technologies, reinforcing Escadrone's positioning in the marine and subsea drone sector.
- CMF (Cluster Marittime et Fluvial)minorMembership in CMF (Cluster Maritime et Fluvial), a maritime and riverine industry cluster supporting French companies in the maritime sector.
- Cluster Montbonnot (local tech cluster)minorParticipation in local technology cluster in the Montbonnot-Saint-Martin area, a technology hub near Grenoble, supporting R&D collaborations in autonomous robotics.
- Agile X (AgileX)minorOfficial distributor of Agile X (AgileX) terrestrial robots including Bunker Mini, Bunker Pro, and Scout Mini, used for inspection and surveillance applications.
- UnitreeminorOfficial distributor of Unitree robotics products including the Unitree G1 humanoid robot and B2-W wheeled quadruped robot in France.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Escadrone competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Drone Volt: French-listed drone manufacturer and service provider offering professional drones, training, and inspection services for BTP, security, and agriculture verticals. Directly comparable as a French drone solutions company spanning hardware, services, and training.
- Heliguy: UK-based drone distributor and training organisation, official DJI Enterprise partner, offering similar combination of hardware distribution, professional pilot training, and after-sales support. Most comparable international peer in terms of business model and value chain positioning.
- COPTRZ: UK drone solutions provider distributing DJI Enterprise drones alongside training, consultancy, and bespoke drone programmes for enterprise customers. Highly comparable combined distribution + training + enterprise services model.
- Delair: French fixed-wing drone manufacturer and partner of Escadrone, focused on professional aerial mapping and surveillance. Comparable as a French drone company serving the same enterprise mapping/survey customers, though Delair is a manufacturer rather than distributor.
- Air Marine: French drone services company specialising in industrial inspections (chimneys, silos, buildings) using professional drones. Comparable French enterprise drone services competitor overlapping on inspection use cases.
- Maritime Robotics: Norwegian unmanned surface vehicle (USV) manufacturer for hydrographic and bathymetric surveys — directly comparable to Escadrone's VASCO bathymetric surface drone offering and target use case (marine surveying).
Emerging players
- Azur Drones: French autonomous drone-in-a-box provider for security and surveillance (Skeyetech). Comparable on the DJI Dock 3 / automated security patrol use case and emerging autonomous security segment.
- Elistair: French tethered drone systems provider for persistent surveillance and security. Comparable as a French professional drone hardware/solutions company serving overlapping enterprise and security customers.
- Seaber: French micro-ROV manufacturer for shallow-water inspections. Comparable in the subsea/underwater robotics space and French geography, though focused on smaller AUV/ROV systems rather than full distribution.
Broad incumbents
- Parrot: French-listed drone manufacturer with broad consumer and professional offerings (Anafi, senseFly). Comparable as a major French drone ecosystem player, though primarily a manufacturer rather than the distribution/training model Escadrone operates.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights8 records
Customer concentration
Escadrone social profiles
Digital presenceEscadrone compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance6 records
Escadrone financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Escadrone leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
Escadrone funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Escadrone M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Escadrone
What does Escadrone do?
Escadrone is a French distributor and service provider for professional autonomous robotics, covering aerial drones (quadcopters, fixed-wing), terrestrial robots (crawlers, walking robots, quadrupeds, humanoids), marine surface drones (bathymetric), and subsea ROVs. The company combines hardware distribution with DGAC-compliant pilot training across 11 centres in France, an in-house R&D workshop for customisation, and ongoing support and maintenance. They hold Silver Partner DJI Enterprise status and are official French distributor for Deep Trekker, Qysea, Wingtra, Agile X, and Unitree.
Is Escadrone a public or private company?
Escadrone is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Escadrone founded?
Escadrone was founded in 2014. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Escadrone based?
Escadrone is headquartered in Montbonnot-saint-martin, France, in the Europe region.
How does Escadrone make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Drone and Robotics Hardware Distribution is the primary driver. The others are professional Training Services, R&D, Customisation and Modification and support, Maintenance and After-Sales Services.
Who are Escadrone's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Drone Volt, Heliguy, COPTRZ, Delair, Air Marine and Maritime Robotics. Emerging players are Azur Drones, Elistair and Seaber. Parrot is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does Escadrone have an API?
No public API is recorded for Escadrone.
What industry is Escadrone in?
Escadrone's product category is Professional Drone Distribution and Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMABAIAA, Small Unmanned Aerial Systems (sUAS) & Multirotor Drones, with a secondary code of IMABAIAH, Autonomy Software, AI & Mission Management (UAS/UXV). Its NAICS code is 334511 and its SIC code is 3812.