Aerobotics Celebrates Company Success with Open House and Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony

Aerobotics Celebrates Company Success with Open House and Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony

Partnership with Opportunity Machine Accelerates Growth

Lafayette, LA— Today, officials from the Aerobotics Drone Division of Grand Isle Shipyard celebrated the company’s expansion and acceleration through the Opportunity Machine (the OM) with a ribbon cutting and open house.

Aerobotics, co-founded by Eric Langlinais, CEO, and DaCoda Bartels, President, UAV Chief Pilot/Division Manager, was acquired by Grand Isle Shipyard in September 2018 for use of their industrial inspection and survey services in the energy industries. Aerobotics was the first Louisiana company to use drone technology for offshore platform inspection as a safe and efficient practice for asset management.

“I'm so proud to be from Lafayette. The Opportunity Machine is such a great representation of how this city works together to cultivate new ideas and nurture people with the drive to see ideas through,” said Bartels. “The entrepreneur's journey to success is never done. Finding comfort in new friends willing to help us navigate is something we cannot just hope for— but is fundamental along the way.”

“DaCoda, Eric and the team at Aerobotics have been great contributing members of the OM,” said Tom Cox, Chairman of the OM Steering Committee. “We are always proud and excited to see businesses graduate from the OM. We hope that we can continue to lean on Aerobotics to provide both inspiration and advice to smaller startups in the region.”

Through its acceleration program, the OM provided the office space to facilitate Aerobotics’ expansion in Lafayette. Aerobotics has signed a lease agreement to occupy space at 201 Settlers Trace Blvd., where they will run Grand Isle Shipyard’s Drone Division.

"The Aerobotics team has brought innovative drone technology to Lafayette Parish and have inspired and helped to develop innovation in other OM member companies as well,” said Destin Ortego, Director of Opportunity Machine. “We are excited to see them graduate, as part of Grand Isle Shipyard, and look forward to the creative solutions they will soon deliver."

“Aerobotics represents the long tradition of the energy industry in Lafayette and the emergence of new, more efficient technologies. Today’s graduation and ribbon cutting adds to the positive diversification of Lafayette’s economy with the energy sector,” said Gregg Gothreaux, President and CEO of the Lafayette Economic Development Authority (LEDA). “Aerobotic’s success embodies the entrepreneurial spirit of the region that was the impetus behind creating the Opportunity Machine. We look forward to working with Aerobotics as they continue to grow.”