What DroneHive does

DroneHive (legal entity DRONEHIVE SAS) is a French drone automation company founded in 2016 and headquartered in Orsay, in the south of Paris region. The company builds infrastructure for fully autonomous drone operations, consisting of two complementary products: the Hive (Ruche), a modular IP56-rated docking station that automates takeoff, mission execution, landing, battery recharging, and data transfer for vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft, and HiveMonitor, a web-based mission management platform that handles mission creation, real-time data analysis, geofencing, and cloud or on-premise data backup. A solar-powered Hive variant extends the system to fully off-grid deployments. The stated operational footprint is up to 1,000 km² of action area per Hive and 24/7 automated operation, with drone dispatch in under three minutes from a docking site.

The company sells hardware (the Hive docking station) alongside what appears to be a recurring HiveMonitor software subscription, targeting defense and military, civil security and public services, industry, network infrastructure operators, and agriculture. Named customers and partners include Nokia, Orange, Crédit Agricole, SPIE Batignolles, Orly Airport, and Veolia, with technology integrations involving Parrot, Aeraccess, and Altametris. The go-to-market is enterprise-focused and partner-driven, leveraging telecom and technology integrators for channel access, industry events (SOFINS, World Mobile Summit) for visibility, and direct sales for large accounts.

DroneHive is a privately held, founder-controlled company (CEO Matthieu MICHELETTI, CTO Romain GRAVE) with a stated €10,000 share capital, 1-10 employees, and only an IncubAlliance Paris-Saclay incubation on record as funding. Documented operational activity is concentrated in 2017-2018, with the most recent substantive milestones being the September 2018 solar Hive launch and the October 2018 Massif Central livestock-monitoring deployment with Orange and Crédit Agricole.

Name

DroneHive

Legal name

DRONEHIVE SAS

Website

https://dronehive.fr

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

DroneHive is a French developer of automated drone docking stations (Hive/Ruche) and a web-based mission management platform (HiveMonitor) that enable 24/7 autonomous VTOL drone operations for defense, civil security, industrial, infrastructure, and agricultural customers, distributed via enterprise and telecom partner channels.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Autonomous Drone Infrastructure

NAICS

Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing (334511)

SIC

Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812), Aircraft Parts & Auxiliary Equipment, Nec (3728)

akta.pro primary industry

UAS Launch/Recovery & Support Equipment (Catapults, Nets, Docking) (IMABAIAN)

akta.pro secondary industries

UAS Ground Control Stations (GCS) & Remote Operations Infrastructure (IMABAIAL), Autonomy Software, AI & Mission Management (UAS/UXV) (IMABAIAH)

Keywords

• Autonomous drone systems
• Drone docking stations
• Drone fleet management
• Unmanned aerial systems
• Drone mission software

Headquarters

HQ city

Orsay

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Hive Hardware Sales: Sale of the Hive (Ruche) automated docking station, available in standard and solar-powered configurations. Hardware is sold as a unit, potentially with drone integration.
2. HiveMonitor Software Subscriptions: Web-based SaaS platform for drone mission management, likely sold as a recurring subscription for fleet management and mission control capabilities.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

DroneHive designs, manufactures, and sells an end-to-end autonomous drone infrastructure consisting of the Hive (Ruche) — a modular, IP56-rated physical docking station that houses vertical takeoff aircraft and automates takeoff, mission execution, landing, battery recharging, and data transfer — paired with HiveMonitor, a web-based mission management platform for fleet operations, AI-assisted analytics, and real-time geofencing. The platform is offered in a solar-powered off-grid variant for remote deployments and targets defense, civil security, industrial, network infrastructure, and agricultural customers.

Product overview

DroneHive offers a two-component autonomous drone solution consisting of the Hive (La Ruche) — a modular physical docking station for vertical takeoff aircraft that automates takeoff, landing, battery recharging, and communications — and HiveMonitor, a companion web platform for mission management. The system enables 24/7 autonomous drone operations across action areas up to 1000 km², with drone cooperation, automatic data transfer, and off-grid capability.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• HiveMonitor: Web platform for the management of drone missions including mission creation, real-time AI analysis, geofencing, and data management with cloud or private server backup capabilities.
• Ruche

Products and services

• Hive (La Ruche) A modular physical docking station for vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) drones that automates takeoff, mission execution, landing, battery recharging, and communications with the operations center. Features 3G/4G/Wi-Fi connectivity, IP56-rated protection, and temperature maintenance for batteries between -20°C and +40°C. Designed for 24/7 autonomous operation across action areas up to 1,000 km².
• Solar Hive A solar-powered variant of the Hive docking station enabling 100% off-grid deployment for remote-area drone inspection and surveillance applications where grid power is unavailable. Used for livestock monitoring in the Massif Central mountain region and other remote environments.
• HiveMonitor A web-based platform for managing the entire drone fleet and missions, enabling secure mission creation in compliance with regulations, intelligent path calculation, real-time data analysis, dynamic geofencing on private areas, real-time video feedback, and data management with cloud or private server backup. Available on desktop and mobile (iOS/Android).

Quantifiable outcome

• Covers up to 1,000 km² of action area per Hive deployment
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• NokiacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2017Joint project 'Drone for Fire' developed with Nokia and Orange, demonstrated during 5G Days at Nokia's Nozay campus. The project focused on automated fire detection and rapid drone deployment response in industrial environments. Nokia also hosted DroneHive's first Hive deployment for automated drone companion missions guiding visitors across the campus.
• OrangecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2017Strategic partner in the Drone for Fire joint project with Nokia. Orange provided technical and logistical support for drone automation demonstrations. Co-deployed solar-powered Hive for mountain livestock monitoring with Crédit Agricole in Massif Central. Invited DroneHive to present at the World Mobile Summit in Barcelona.
• AltametrisminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLogo partner listed on DroneHive's website. Altametris is a drone services company that may serve as a channel partner or integration collaborator.
• Crédit AgricolecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with DroneHive and Orange to deploy solar-powered Hive for livestock surveillance in the Massif Central. Crédit Agricole serves as an agricultural financing institution enabling innovative services to livestock farmers in mountain regions.
• SPIE BatignollesminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLogo partner listed on DroneHive's website. SPIE Batignolles is a major French construction and facilities management company, potentially serving as a channel for deployment of drone solutions.
• Réseau EntreprendreminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLogo partner listed on DroneHive's website. Réseau Entreprendre is a French entrepreneurial support network providing mentoring and business development assistance.
• IncuballianceminorOthersLogo partner listed on DroneHive's website. Incuballiance is a startup incubator in the Paris region, likely providing incubation and acceleration support to DroneHive.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Elistair: French tethered drone and persistent aerial surveillance specialist. Comparable as a French-headquartered autonomous aerial infrastructure company serving defense and security customers, with overlapping use cases in persistent site monitoring and public safety.
• Airobotics: Israeli autonomous drone platform provider offering Optimus drone-in-a-box for industrial sites, mining, and defense. Direct peer with a nearly identical value proposition — fully automated docking, mission management, and analytics for unattended drone operations.
• American Robotics: US-based autonomous drone-in-a-box company (acquired by Ondas Holdings) focused on industrial and agricultural inspection. Direct competitor with comparable autonomous docking station and Scout System product, including FAA approvals for BVLOS operations.
• Azur Drones: French autonomous drone-in-a-box company offering Skeyetech for security and industrial inspection. Direct competitor to DroneHive in the French and European autonomous drone infrastructure market, with similar target verticals (security, industry, defense) and a comparable docking-station-plus-software model.
• Percepto: Israeli-based autonomous drone-in-a-box provider (Percepto Air) for industrial inspection, security, and compliance monitoring. Direct peer offering a comparable docking station and AI-powered inspection platform, primarily to heavy industry and critical infrastructure operators.

Regional players

• Delair: French professional drone company offering fixed-wing UAVs and inspection software for industrial and defense applications. Comparable as a French-headquartered commercial drone player in adjacent use cases (industry, defense, agriculture) with overlapping end customers.

Broad incumbents

• Thales: Global defense and aerospace prime with significant UAS, autonomy, and unmanned systems programs. Comparable as a major defense-industry incumbent capable of absorbing drone automation procurement that DroneHive targets in its defense vertical.
• Skydio: US-based drone manufacturer with autonomous flight and docking capabilities (Skydio Dock) targeting enterprise inspection, public safety, and defense. Comparable as a well-capitalized incumbent with integrated autonomy software that competes with DroneHive's HiveMonitor offering.
• DJI Dock: DJI's drone-in-a-box product (DJI Dock) is an integrated docking station with cloud management for enterprise applications. As the dominant drone OEM, DJI's integrated offering directly competes with DroneHive's drone-agnostic Hive and threatens to commoditize third-party docking infrastructure.
• Parrot: European drone OEM and listed partner of DroneHive, manufacturing both consumer and professional drones (including ANAFI). Comparable as a broader drone ecosystem player whose vertical integration into docking and autonomy software could threaten DroneHive's pure-play positioning.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

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 DroneHive