Fotokite: The startup that takes public safety to new heights

08.02.2022 07:00, Isabelle Mitchell

A jury of experts and investors went through 90 applications and selected Fotokite to participate in the Venture Leaders Mobile 2022 roadshow. In February, the robotics startup and the Swiss National Startup Team members will attend the Mobile World Congress 2022 in Barcelona. Before the 10 entrepreneurs meet with top-notch investors and industry leaders to strengthen their business network and advance their globalization, we want to introduce you to Fotokite CEO Bart Slager.

Fotokite’s technology provides first responders with situational awareness from elevated perspectives. Fotokite Sigma is an actively tethered unmanned aerial system that can be launched during fire responses, search and rescue missions, or traffic jams to provide first responders with a critical aerial overview of the scene. 

Name: Bart Slager
Location: Zürich
Nationality: Dutch
Graduated from: Delft University of Technology, master’s degree in aerospace engineering
Job title: CEO of Fotokite
Number of employees: 60
Money raised: CHF 21 million
First touchpoint with Venturelab: January 2022

Bart, can you summarize what Fotokite does?
Fotokite designs, manufactures, and supports public safety teams with autonomous robotics and situational intelligence solutions to help them save lives, stay safe, and serve their communities.

You were appointed Fotokite CEO in January. What interests you in this position?  
I like to work in dynamic environments with a certain “change factor,” and I value being part of a company that strives to assist public safety teams on their daily missions and save lives. Therefore, I am highly motivated by the opportunity to contribute to the further expansion and development of Fotokite.

What do you expect from the Venture Leaders Mobile roadshow, and how will it help you achieve your vision?
This will be a great opportunity to connect with a large group of quality investors and introduce them to our latest technological developments and outline our expansion in operations as well as our increased market presence in North American and European markets. At the same time, we will learn by meeting and listening to others from various industry sectors. Having the right business partner(s) will contribute to realizing our vision, and we are looking forward to meeting some of them.
 
What is the one talent you wish you had?
Playing piano. I did follow several years of lessons, and I have the basic skills, but it would help to have a little bit more talent.
 
What is your favorite book?
Rutger Bregman’s Humankind: A Hopeful History, a positive view on us humans and a helpful guide these days, where people become more and more cynical.
 
What is your favorite movie?
Pulp Fiction by Quentin Tarantino. It was fun to watch, and it turned out to be one of the most significant films of its time that influenced others.
 
Where and when are you most productive?
Beginning the day with a nice coffee and being in the office with my colleagues is an ideal start for me to be productive.
 
How and where do you clear your mind? 
Cycling, skiing, and hiking in the Swiss (and French) mountains is a perfect way to relax and re-energize.
 
What is your greatest professional failure, and what did you learn from it? 
Taking a large decision of which I could not explain the rationale later. The lesson learned is, no matter how difficult a decision is, make sure you can explain why you are doing it and how it supports your goal. Don’t make decisions because they “feel” right or others have told you to do so.
 
Who inspires you?
Thierry Schmitter, a good friend of mine who broke his back during mountaineering. He picked up his life, became triple world champion in 2.4mR sailing, and won a bronze medal at the London Paralympics. His new chapter in life is that he has become a pioneer in seated kiteboarding.


For more information and updates on Fotokite and the Venture Leaders Mobile, follow the Venture Leaders Mobile 2022 team with #VleadersMobile on social media or subscribe to our newsletter. 
 
This year’s Venture Leaders Mobile program is supported by Huawei, Swisscom, and VISCHER.