Drone Control Systems Sails Away with Win at “Get Started Tucson" Business Pitch Competition

More than 200 entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, business experts and members of the public came together late last week for the 2nd annual Get Started Tucson business pitch competition hosted by Cox Business and Inc. magazine at the Scottish Rite. Drone Control Systems presented the most compelling 2.5 minute pitch to an illustrious panel of experts and walked away with the $10,000 prize package including $5,000 cash.

Drone Control Systems' proprietary software fills the missing link between drone operators and federal/local regulators by providing real time data so drone operators can operate lawfully and safely.  The drone communication company rose to the top among the five finalist and won for its innovation, ease of implementation and potential benefits to the community.

“Cox Business is 100 percent behind startup businesses here in Tucson! We’re happy that Get Started Tucson brings our entrepreneurial community together and that we can give this year's winner, Drone Control Systems a boost,” said Ed Aaronson, Vice President of Cox Business.

James Lawrence, CEO of Drone Control Systems fielded a barrage of questions from the Get Started Tucson panel and members of the packed audience. Lawrence said he will use the $5,000 cash portion of the prize to complete development of proprietary chip that uses cell data to collect real time telemetry used to determine positioning during drone flight.

Base Horner, Get Started Tucson judge, venture capitalist and chair of the screening committee for Desert Angels said, "Drone Control Systems has tremendous potential in terms of scalability."

Other finalists who pitched their ideas to the Get Started Tucson judges included Fed by Threads, InCycle Water, Desert Edibles, LLC and EOI Tech.