The results are in. After reviewing 81 exceptional submissions from 15+ countries spanning construction, energy, agriculture, education and environmental sciences, we're proud to announce the winners of our fourth annual DroneDeploy Awards.
These organizations prove that reality capture isn't just another tool – it's the foundation for safer jobsites, smarter workflows and measurable operational improvements. They've moved beyond pilots to enterprise-wide deployment, transforming how their industries build, inspect and operate.
Winners were celebrated at our Horizons After Dark event in Newport Beach, where the reality capture community gathered to recognize the year's most impactful implementations. Here are the six companies and individuals who set the standard for 2025.
Operational Excellence: Skanska
Skanska wins for scaling reality capture from a single drone in 2015 to 100+ certified pilots across the U.S. Their program demonstrates what systematic adoption looks like – structured training academies, enterprise-wide standards and field engagement that drives reductions in rework and improved QA/QC.
The company's approach proves that when you commit to scaling innovation across an entire organization, reality capture becomes more than a project tool. It becomes competitive advantage.
Steward of Sustainability: The Nature Conservancy
The Nature Conservancy takes this award for their kelp restoration work across more than 15 acres. Using reality capture technology with partners, they're tracking biodiversity improvements, monitoring urchin removal effectiveness and measuring canopy growth increases.
Their work shows that environmental impact requires data, not just good intentions. Reality capture provides the metrics needed to measure conservation success and prove that restoration efforts work.
Innovation of the Year: Joeris General Contractors
Joeris earns this recognition for developing a 360° crawlspace inspection robot that eliminates dangerous manual inspections. The solution combines robotics with reality capture to solve a real field challenge – keeping workers out of hazardous confined spaces while maintaining thorough documentation.
This is innovation that matters. Not technology for its own sake, but tools that directly improve worker safety while delivering better project outcomes.
Guardian of Safety: ConocoPhillips
ConocoPhillips wins for using drones and 360 cameras to document site hazards and train teams across their operations. By replacing manual inspections with comprehensive visual documentation, they've eliminated unnecessary risk exposure while building stronger safety protocols.
Their program demonstrates that worker protection and operational efficiency aren't competing priorities. Reality capture delivers both.
Community and Workforce Development: FlyGuys
FlyGuys is expanding access to the drone economy by training pilots from underrepresented communities and building partnerships with HBCUs. Their work addresses a critical industry challenge – diversifying the pipeline of qualified drone professionals – while equipping the next generation with the skills to support construction, energy, and infrastructure sectors with advanced aerial data capture.
DroneDeploy Champion: Meg Wilson, Waste Management
Meg Wilson from Waste Management wins for supporting advanced reporting, scheduling and data practices that scaled drone workflows across WM's massive operational footprint. Her systematic approach transformed scattered adoption into standardized enterprise deployment.
This award recognizes the internal advocates who drive change – the champions who turn pilot programs into operational requirements and prove that reality capture delivers measurable ROI.
Congratulations to all our winners. Your work sets the standard for what's possible when field teams, technology and commitment align.