SKYBRIDGE

The specific problem that SKYBRIDGE aims to solve is the lack of reliable, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly transportation methods for remote Indigenous communities, which hinders their access to essential goods, services, and economic opportunities. This issue affects around 3,500 people on the Garden Hill First Nation reserve in Manitoba and many more across remote Indigenous communities in Canada.

Limited connectivity due to the absence of indigenous-owned airlines and the challenges posed by non-Indigenous aerospace solutions contribute to the problem. Moreover, these remote communities often face inadequate access to food, resources, services, and waste management operations, which exacerbates their socio-economic challenges.

SKYBRIDGE's research objectives include determining the feasibility of using drones for BVLOS (beyond visual line of sight) operations, identifying and evaluating potential routes, developing and testing protocols, assessing potential benefits and risks, engaging with stakeholders such as communities and regulators, and investigating the best use cases for drone transportation.

The project also tackles technical challenges like airspace and regulatory considerations, communication and control, navigation and positioning, detect and avoid systems, weather conditions, and emergency procedures. By addressing these issues, SKYBRIDGE aims to create a drone-based transportation solution that empowers remote Indigenous communities and provides better freight alternatives in the non-Indigenous aerospace market.

Why is there a lack of reliable and cost-effective transportation for remote Indigenous communities?

There are limited transportation options available, and no Indigenous-owned airlines currently serve these communities. Non-Indigenous aerospace solutions do not adequately address the unique needs and challenges of remote Indigenous communities.

Why are there no Indigenous-owned airlines, and why do non-Indigenous aerospace solutions fail to meet the needs of remote Indigenous communities?

A combination of historical, socio-economic, and infrastructural factors have made it difficult for Indigenous communities to establish their own airlines. Non-Indigenous aerospace solutions may not prioritize or understand the unique challenges and needs of remote Indigenous communities, leading to inadequate service offerings.

Why have historical, socio-economic, and infrastructural factors made it difficult for Indigenous communities to establish their own airlines?

Historical colonization, ongoing disparities in economic opportunities, and limited access to resources and infrastructure have hindered the development of Indigenous-owned airlines. These factors have created barriers to entry, making it challenging for Indigenous communities to participate in the aerospace industry.

Why do ongoing disparities in economic opportunities and limited access to resources persist in remote Indigenous communities?

Systemic issues stemming from colonization, such as underinvestment in infrastructure, education, and economic development, have perpetuated the cycle of poverty and limited opportunities for remote Indigenous communities. This has resulted in a lack of resources and support to establish and maintain sustainable businesses, including airlines.

Why has there been underinvestment in infrastructure, education, and economic development for remote Indigenous communities?

The root cause lies in historical and ongoing discrimination, marginalization, and neglect of Indigenous communities by governments and society. This has led to inadequate policy, funding, and support for these communities, perpetuating the disparities they face and limiting their ability to overcome the challenges related to transportation and access to essential goods and services.

LUNE's solution, SKYBRIDGE, aims to establish a reliable, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly method of transportation using drones to improve connectivity and access to resources for remote Indigenous communities. By leveraging drone technology for Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) operations, SKYBRIDGE will address the unique challenges faced by these communities in accessing essential goods and services.

SKYBRIDGE will work as follows if the use case example were medical focused (hypothetical example):

Step 1: Sample Collection and Packaging

Healthcare professionals at the Garden Hill First Nation health station collect the rare disease testing samples following standard medical protocols. The samples are then securely packaged in appropriate containers to ensure their integrity during transportation.

Step 2: Requesting a Drone Pickup

The health station staff requests a drone pickup through LUNE's Skybridge platform. The platform processes the request and assigns a suitable drone for the task based on factors such as payload capacity, flight range, and availability.

Step 3: Drone Preparation and Lift Off

The assigned drone is prepared for the mission, which includes loading the necessary flight route data, performing pre-flight checks, and ensuring the drone is in optimal condition. Once everything is set, the drone lifts off from its designated launch pad and heads to the Garden Hill First Nation health station.

Step 4: Sample Pickup

Upon arrival at the health station, the drone lands at a predetermined pickup area. Health station staff place the securely packaged samples into a specialized compartment within the drone. Once the samples are safely loaded, the drone's compartment is locked to ensure the samples remain secure during the flight.

Step 5: Transportation and In-Flight Monitoring

The drone takes off and follows a pre-planned flight route towards the nearest airport. Throughout the flight, LUNE's Skybridge platform monitors the drone's location, speed, altitude, and other relevant data to ensure a safe and efficient journey.

Step 6: Sample Drop Off

Upon arrival at the airport, the drone lands at a designated drop-off area. Authorized personnel at the airport retrieve the rare disease testing samples from the drone's compartment and ensure they are properly handled for further transportation to Winnipeg.

Step 7: Post-Flight Analysis and Reporting

After the samples have been safely delivered, LUNE's Skybridge platform analyzes the drone's flight data to assess the efficiency and effectiveness of the delivery process. The findings from this analysis can be used to improve future drone deliveries and refine the Skybridge platform's capabilities.

The partnership with Valqari, a leading drone delivery infrastructure provider, will play a crucial role in the successful implementation of SKYBRIDGE. Valqari's expertise in drone logistics and delivery infrastructure, such as their patented Drone Delivery Station, will enable LUNE to create a seamless and secure delivery system for remote Indigenous communities. This collaboration will ensure that the drone delivery service is efficient, reliable, and scalable, ultimately helping to bridge the gap in access to essential goods and services for remote Indigenous communities.

Valqari Landing Station Demonstration: https://youtu.be/hjxo2wMxofc

LUNE's SKYBRIDGE solution directly serves the Garden Hill First Nation community and aims to address supply chain issues for all remote Indigenous communities in Canada. These communities face unique challenges due to their remote locations, including limited access to essential goods and services, higher costs of living, and less reliable infrastructure.

Garden Hill First Nation, with a population of 3,054 and 665 private dwellings, is a prime example of a community that could benefit from SKYBRIDGE. Currently, community members face challenges such as limited access to amenities, higher costs of living, and logistical difficulties in traveling to and from their community.

By implementing SKYBRIDGE, LUNE will improve access to essential goods and services. Drone-based transportation will enable efficient delivery of vital supplies, such as food, medical resources, and educational materials, to the community. This will help overcome the limitations imposed by the community's remote location and enhance the overall quality of life for its members.

The most specific target market for drone delivery would be working-age adult children living in multi-generational Indigenous households, particularly those with elderly parents who have mobility issues and require assistance with daily tasks, such as grocery shopping or medical support. The adult children are responsible for their parents' well-being and drone delivery service can help them save time and ensure their elderly parents receive necessary support. The emotional value lies in their love and care for their elderly parents. The children can meet their parents' needs while also fulfilling their professional responsibilities, resulting in a more balanced and sustainable lifestyle for the entire family. 

Furthermore, SKYBRIDGE has the potential to reduce the cost of living for community members. By streamlining the supply chain through drone deliveries, the cost of transporting goods to the community will be reduced, resulting in lower prices for essential items and a more affordable cost of living. Delivery goods from grocery stores on Island Lake to Garden Hill residents will remove the cost of the 2km+ snowmobile, helicopter, or boat trip. Another example could be, medical testing or supplies from Island Lake airport to Garden Hill First Nation. 

In addition to these benefits, the drone-based transportation system will enhance the community's infrastructure. It will complement existing infrastructure, improving the overall connectivity of the community and making it easier for residents to access resources and opportunities both within and outside the community.

Finally, the implementation of SKYBRIDGE will strengthen community relationships. By working closely with the Garden Hill First Nation community and other remote Indigenous communities, LUNE will foster long-lasting partnerships that promote collaboration, cultural exchange, and mutual support.

Overall, SKYBRIDGE will have a meaningful impact on the lives of the target population by addressing their unique needs and challenges. It will improve their access to essential goods and services, reduce costs, and enhance the overall living conditions in remote Indigenous communities like Garden Hill First Nation. It will also allow Individuals to prioritize cultural values such as elders well-being while alleviating the time required for care-taking. 

LUNE's SKYBRIDGE solution aims to directly benefit the Garden Hill First Nation community by addressing several challenges faced due to its remote location. Garden Hill First Nation is a Cree community where both the founder's wife and daughter are registered members. The founder also has in-law family members living on-reserve and is an Indigenous person from Wasauksing First Nation.

The SKYBRIDGE Research and Development project will be conducted using Indigenous research methodologies and a two-eyed seeing approach. This approach gives preference to Indigenous qualitative research data and considers the best decisions for the Indigenous community members. The founder is committed to ensuring the best outcomes for Indigenous people and implementing the project in a culturally sensitive and Indigenous-wholistic manner.

1. The community currently relies on limited transportation options to receive essential goods and services. With SKYBRIDGE, drone-based transportation will enable efficient delivery of vital supplies, such as food, medical resources, and educational materials, to the community. This will help overcome the limitations imposed by the community's remote location and enhance the overall quality of life for its members

2. The Garden Hill community relies on a nursing station with only four nurses on-reserve, and the nearest hospital is located in Norway House. By using drone deliveries, SKYBRIDGE can expedite the transportation of medical supplies and equipment, providing better healthcare support for the community.

3. SKYBRIDGE will improve the community's infrastructure by complementing existing services and enhancing overall connectivity. This will make it easier for residents to access resources and opportunities both within and outside the community.

4. By implementing SKYBRIDGE, local businesses, such as the Northern Store, Garden Hill Construction Co., and others, can benefit from more efficient supply chains and reduced transportation costs. This will create new economic opportunities for the community and promote the growth of local businesses.

Drone-based transportation systems like SKYBRIDGE are more environmentally friendly than traditional transportation methods. By adopting this solution, the Garden Hill First Nation community can reduce its carbon footprint and contribute to environmental conservation efforts.

Our team is uniquely positioned to design and deliver this solution to the target population because of our strong connections to the Indigenous communities we serve, our extensive experience in Indigenous economic development, and our commitment to incorporating Indigenous perspectives in our work.

As an Indigenous Team Lead, I have personal connections to the Garden Hill First Nation community through my wife and daughter, who are both registered members. I am committed to conducting our project in an Indigenous way, embracing a holistic well-being approach that prioritizes the safety of the environment, animal life, and community values. By integrating the natural occurrences of the environment into our operations, we aim to reduce energy costs and minimize our ecological impact.

We live in Winnipeg, but my in-laws, who are teachers in the community, and my brother-in-law, who works in finance for the band office, provide us with valuable insights and access to key community stakeholders. Moreover, my direct contact with the economic development director further strengthens our ties to the community.

In addition to these personal connections, our team has over a decade of experience in Indigenous economic development across Canada, giving us a deep understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities faced by these communities. This background equips us with the necessary skills to effectively engage with Indigenous stakeholders and manage projects from an Indigenous perspective.

Our approach to designing and implementing the solution is rooted in the belief that it must be meaningfully guided by the communities' input, ideas, and agendas. We are committed to working closely with community members to understand their needs and ensure that our solution is culturally appropriate, sustainable, and aligns with the communities' values and goals. This focus on Indigenous ways of working and valuing community engagement is what sets our organization apart and will ultimately drive our success in the drone industry.

By becoming a participant, we hope to overcome various financial, technical, legal, and cultural barriers that we currently face. We understand that Solve is not solely about raising funds, but also about connecting teams with partners who can offer valuable support.

We hope that Solve can help us gain recognition, which would improve our reputation and potentially lead to financing opportunities in the future. Additionally, we believe that Solve can provide support in setting up crucial infrastructure such as our website, assisting with primary research goals, and connecting us with consultants who can help optimize our research timeline. Moreover, we look forward to the opportunity to collaborate with other teams and experts in order to better address the unique challenges faced by Indigenous communities and to ensure that our solution is culturally appropriate and effective.

My mother is from Wasauksing First Nation. I grew up both on and off reserve. I developed a sense of community through my experiences on my First Nation, we always came together for family occasions and every summer to spend time on my Nokomis's beach. I still visit my family there regularly. 

The R&D project is based on Garden Hill First nation where the my daughter is registered on. I want her to have a connection to here remote community despite living in the city of Winnipeg. 

SKYBRIDGE solution is innovative as it revolutionizes delivery services for drones in remote communities. It is not just a delivery service for the North, but a solution that could provide faster and reliable supply chains for individuals that have never had that level of convenience or even access to general necessities. 

SKYBRIDGE disrupts traditional transportation and logistics models by leveraging drone technology to service remote communities. By providing fast, reliable, and regular delivery of necessities, SKYBRIDGE addresses a significant gap in the market that has a long been underserved. 

In terms of changing this drone delivery space, SKYBRIDGE service could redefine expectations for delivery speed and reliability, in these remote communities. This could drive demand for other similar services to expand their market into remote areas because they would understand the monetization of drone delivery services in these areas is not only possible but a large untapped market.

Over the next year, our primary goal is to establish start-up infrastructure to successfully complete R&D projects. 

1. Expand access to essential supplies. I think even a small research project to start would prove that drone delivery is a solution for more convenient supply chains. 

2. Improved delivery speeds would prove to communities that small treks such as the trip from the nearby community airport into the community would be more beneficial. 

3. 

Goal 1: End poverty in all its forms everywhere.

Target 1.4: By 2030, ensure that all men and women, in particular the poor and the vulnerable, have equal rights to economic resources, as well as access to basic services, appropriate new technology, and financial services, including microfinance.

Target 1.5: By 2030, build the resilience of the poor and those in vulnerable situations and reduce their exposure and vulnerability to climate-related extreme events and other economic, social, and environmental shocks and disasters

Goal 2: End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture.

Target 2.1: By 2030, end hunger and ensure access by all people, in particular, the poor and people in vulnerable situations, including infants, to safe, nutritious, and sufficient food all year round.y

Target 2.3: By 2030, double the agricultural productivity and incomes of small-scale food producers, including indigenous peoples, through secure and equal access to land, other productive resources and inputs, knowledge, financial services, markets, and opportunities for value addition and non-farm employment.

Target 2.4: By 2030, ensure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices that increase productivity and production, that help maintain ecosystems, that strengthen capacity for adaptation to climate change, extreme weather, drought, flooding, and other disasters, and that progressively improve land and soil quality.

Target 2.a: Increase investment in rural infrastructure, agricultural research and extension services, technology development, and plant and livestock gene banks to enhance agricultural productive capacity in developing countries, particularly least developed countries6.

Goal 3: Promotion of Economic Equality: By 2030, we aim to ensure that 100% of the vulnerable communities in our service areas have equal and consistent access to economic resources, enabled by our drone delivery services.

Target 3.1: By 2030, increase the percentage of our deliveries to under-resourced communities by 50%.

Goal 4: Enhancement of Community Resilience: By 2030, we aim to make our drone delivery services available to all communities in our service areas during times of crisis or extreme weather events, thereby enhancing their resilience.

Target 4.1: By 2030, increase the number of deliveries made during times of crisis or extreme weather events by 75%.

Goal 5: Support for Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security: By 2030, we aim to significantly increase our contribution to sustainable agriculture and food security by transporting more agricultural products and food supplies to and from remote communities.

Target 5.1: By 2030, double the quantity of agricultural and food products transported via our drone delivery services.

Target 5.2: By 2030, contribute to a 30% improvement in food security in the communities we serve, as measured by local food security indicators

LUNE's Theory of Change is centered around our mission: "We're building a drone delivery service for remote communities. It's safer, cheaper, and faster than traditional freight."

Inputs: LUNE begins with the commitment of a dedicated team with expertise in drone technology, logistics, and an understanding of the unique challenges faced by remote communities. We utilize cutting-edge drone technology and software systems that allow for efficient operations and logistics planning. We also engage with community leaders and members to understand their specific needs and build a collaborative partnership.

Activities: Our primary activity is developing and operating a drone delivery service. This includes the designing, testing, and refining of drones, as well as establishing logistics and operations systems. We also work on securing necessary permissions and regulations, establishing community partnerships, training local operators, and conducting ongoing safety checks and improvements.

Outputs: The immediate output of LUNE's activities is a functioning drone delivery network that serves remote communities. This network is capable of delivering a wide range of goods, from food and medical supplies to other necessities. Another output is the knowledge and skills transferred to local operators who manage and maintain the drones.

Outcomes: In the short term, we anticipate increased access to essential goods for remote communities, leading to improved living conditions. There will also be economic benefits as the cost and time involved in delivery decrease significantly. Moreover, the local employment opportunities created by LUNE contribute to the local economy.

Impacts: Over the long term, we believe that LUNE's drone delivery service will have transformational impacts on remote communities. By improving access to essential goods, we can contribute to better health outcomes, increased food security, and improved quality of life. Economically, LUNE's activities could stimulate local economies by reducing the cost of goods and creating jobs.

We also foresee a potential environmental impact. By replacing traditional methods of transport with drones, we can reduce greenhouse gas emissions significantly.

Our Theory of Change is not just about delivering goods; it's about enabling remote communities to have the same access to resources as urban areas. It's about leveling the playing field and offering an opportunity for these communities to prosper.

We measure our social impact through various indicators linked to our mission and long-term goals, such as the number of deliveries made, cost savings for communities, time saved, improvement in health outcomes, and reduction in carbon emissions. We commit to regular impact evaluations to ensure we are on track to achieve our mission and adjust our strategy as necessary.

The core technology that powers LUNE's solution is a combination of advanced drone technology, Valqari's drone delivery station development kit, and logistics software for monitoring and record-keeping.

The drone technology employed is designed for efficient transport of goods, with a payload capacity of up to 10lbs and a range of 10km. This makes it suitable for delivering small items, such as parcels, medical supplies, and food. The drones are equipped with GPS for precise navigation, autonomous flight capabilities, and safety mechanisms to ensure secure and reliable operations. This technology is transforming the way we approach logistics and supply chain operations, particularly in hard-to-reach areas.

Valqari's Drone Delivery Station Development Kit is another integral part of our solution. This state-of-the-art system allows for fully autonomous point-to-point private delivery, enabling more accurate route planning and flight scheduling. It is designed to integrate with most drones and includes a secure locker for safe package storage. The station is portable, fitting most pickup truck beds, and offers versatile networking options, including 4G, 5G, Wi-Fi, ethernet, and LEO Satellite. Its construction is corrosion-resistant, requiring minimal maintenance, and it features a landing area compatible with varying sizes of landing gear.

The logistics software we are interested in utilizing (DDR FLYTE)  keeps a record of all flights, helping to maintain efficiency and reliability in our operations. It enables the tracking of drone deliveries, ensuring that all items reach their designated destinations and providing valuable data for future route optimization and operational improvements. 

By leveraging these technologies, LUNE is tackling the challenge of providing reliable, quick, and efficient delivery services to remote communities. This innovative solution not only solves a crucial problem facing these communities, but it also has the potential to revolutionize the entire delivery service industry.

LUNE is committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion. We firmly believe in equal employment opportunities, irrespective of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, ancestry, or national or ethnic origin.

In recognizing and respecting the Indigenous Peoples as the traditional stewards of the land, LUNE is dedicated to promoting and sustaining strong relationships with these communities. Our drone delivery service seeks to empower these communities, acknowledging the need for improved access to resources and opportunities.

Our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) is ingrained in our operations, from our internal efforts to our partnerships and communications. Our work culture appreciates and leverages the many differences in our team and the communities we serve. We design our policies and practices with a goal of providing people of all backgrounds a genuine opportunity to thrive, creating an environment where everyone feels valued and respected.

LUNE uses advanced drone technology and Valqari's drone delivery station development kit to offer efficient, reliable, and secure delivery services. This technology is an epitome of our commitment to inclusive technology, designed with the most underserved populations in mind.

Our team is diverse in terms of geography, gender, technical expertise, and more. We believe this diversity fuels innovation and allows us to approach problems from various perspectives, resulting in effective and comprehensive solutions.

With a focus on racial justice, we aim to continually improve our services and policies to address systemic inequities. We commit to providing opportunities for underserved communities and reducing the disparities exacerbated by geographical limitations.

Our events uphold high diversity standards, reflecting our commitment to inclusivity and equal representation. We prioritize accessibility, ensuring that our services can be utilized by individuals with disabilities.

At LUNE, we are driven by our mission, powered by our technology, and guided by our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. We believe in the potential of our services to create lasting change, bridging gaps and fostering a future where every community has access to the resources they need.

Key Resources:

Technological: Drones, Valqari's Drone Delivery Station Development Kit, logistics and flight tracking software.
Human: Team of drone operators, packers and pickers, research coordinators, and IT and emergency recovery contractors.
Financial: Capital for drone acquisition, station setup, maintenance, and operational costs.

Key Activities:

Operation and maintenance of drones.
Package handling and logistics.
Coordination with suppliers and stakeholders.
Conducting regular research for service improvement and expansion.
Continuous software updates for efficient operation.

Type of Intervention:

Technological: Utilizing drone technology for efficient delivery.
Social: Aiming to provide essential goods to remote communities and reduce their isolation.
Economic: Offering cost-effective delivery options compared to traditional methods.
Segments:

Remote communities, particularly indigenous communities.
Suppliers and businesses needing to transport goods to these communities.
Governmental and non-governmental organizations involved in aid and development work in remote regions.

Value Proposition:

Faster, safer, and cheaper delivery to remote communities.
Reduction in the carbon footprint compared to traditional delivery methods.
Provision of an essential service, aiding in the socio-economic development of remote communities.
Reliable and efficient delivery system, irrespective of geographical and weather conditions.

Partners and Key Stakeholders:

Suppliers and businesses: For regular cargo to be delivered.
Government entities: For policy compliance and potential partnerships in public service delivery.
Indigenous communities: As primary recipients and potential partners in operations.
Technological partners: Drone manufacturers, software developers, etc.

Channels:

Direct delivery from suppliers to communities via drones.
Digital platform for tracking and managing deliveries.
Community engagement through local representatives and digital communication.

Cost Structure:

Operational costs: Drone operation and maintenance, personnel salaries, software maintenance.
Capital costs: Drone and delivery station acquisition, setup of operational centers.
Administrative costs: Marketing, legal, and other overheads.

Surplus:

Reinvestment into the business for expansion of services and continuous technological upgrades.
Community development initiatives in the regions of operation.

Revenue:

Service charges for deliveries.
Potential government contracts for public service delivery.
Partnerships with businesses for regular cargo transportation.

LUNE has several strategies for becoming financially sustainable by bringing in money to fund its work.

Selling Services:

Basic Services Provision: LUNE aims to establish a system that delivers essential services such as food, medication, and emergency supplies to those in need. For instance, drone technology could be used for delivery in remote areas or during emergencies when traditional delivery systems may not be as effective. Revenue would be generated through fees charged for these services.

Use of Online Marketplaces: LUNE plans to leverage online marketplaces to connect customers with essential goods and services. Its business model, LUNEAIR, plans to facilitate this connection through transportation and logistics services, charging a fee for these services. This approach ensures that essential goods and services reach even the most remote communities.

Support Local Businesses: LUNE's Boreal Basket business model plans to connect local retailers with consumers in remote markets through a membership-based platform. Revenue would be generated through membership fees and possibly a percentage of sales made through the platform. This strategy not only supports local businesses but also provides remote customers with access to diverse products and services.

Service Contracts to Governments: If the services LUNE offers align with government initiatives or priorities, LUNE could bid for service contracts. This would involve a process of tendering for contracts to provide services, and the contracts would provide a consistent income stream.

Research and Development: LUNE could also generate revenue by conducting research and development. This could involve partnerships with academic institutions or companies interested in the data LUNE is able to collect or the technology it is developing. Revenue could be generated through research grants, contracts for specific research projects, or through the sale of data or technology.

I have only been research my target markets during my incubator course. I have no further information. My financial sustainability goals are purely speculation based on primary and secondary market research exercises.