Airstoc - A New Angle on Photography
by Startacus Admin
The first time we heard the term, ‘Drone Footage’ it was with a pause of scepticism that we hastily proceeded to research further, this unlikely sounding new filming technique.
Its ultra-modern name is perhaps a mixed blessing. The adventurer in us was suitable intrigued by its sci-fi suggestiveness, but the cynic hastened to think ‘it’s just a techno fad, it will pass’.
If you are, as yet unfamiliar with the the process of drone filming it is (in very basic terms) the process by which a small remote controlled flying robot, takes aerial shots and footage using an on board camera…that’s basically it.
From early concerns over the quality of images and the feasibility of the process, it is only in the last couple of years that the commercial potential of drone filming has started to become apparent. This has led to a sharp rise in the number of drone footage related startups, hoping to cut themselves a slice of the pie.
Airstoc is a great example of the innovation that the rise of this industry has created.
The idea was conceived in just 54 hours during Sheffield’s Startup weekend.
We chat to co-founder Giles about the business, the City, drone footage and their startup journey.
Hi Giles, so first off can you tell us a little explain to us what Airstoc is? 
"Airstoc is the first two sided marketplace dedicated to the professional drone filming industry. We are a one stop shop for all aerial requirements and we work exclusively with the very best professional operators worldwide.
Firstly, we provide a very simple online portal for customers to carry out aerial filming. Customers simply fill out a brief online, receive their quotes back, and then choose the relevant operator(s) to go with. This eliminates all the time, stress and costs typically involved and suddenly allows aerial filming to be carried out at a fraction of the price, anywhere in the world.
Secondly, and as a result of the locations and sights these operators capture, we showcase and sell aerial stock footage, offering a completely different and unique perspective to any other stock website, at a price to meet all budgets. We are one of the only companies worldwide to offer Ultra HD aerial stock footage.
Our customer base is global and we cover a huge array of sectors from TV, films and video production to tourism, travel, real estate, inspections, thermal imaging and surveying etc. The more industries start adopting this technology, the biggest our customer becomes. Within the next decade, it is said that drones will be used for all aerial work, replacing expensive traditional methods, and that is very exciting news for us."
We know that there are certain preconceptions about drone aerial footage re. quality of images and so forth, how is Airstoc managing to offset these notions?
"With us having a professional pilot as a co-founder who used to have his own drone company, we have market knowledge that has proven invaluable. This also gave us credibility from the start which was vital in developing Airstoc.
As a result, we knew the top professionals worldwide and went about contacting them directly. We have spent the best part of 9 months vetting them all, making sure only the very best are onboard, who have the skills, experience, technology and resources to meet our vision of delivering fantastic video footage whether bespoke or as stock.
We also made sure that our operators could fully showcase their work, website, etc to customers through Airstoc, to build up trust with customers and help educate the industry as a whole. By making sure we only work with the best and have a site to showcase the work of the operators, we are hoping this will go some way to improving this misconception that currently surrounds it."
Having initially created the business in just 54 hours at Sheffield Startup Weekend, can you tell us what you think the benefits are of taking part in such an intense startup building event?
"I am a great advert for this event because I thought that the event was aimed more at tech people and not commercial people like myself, so I was sceptical prior to going, which I know I am not alone with these thoughts.
In actual fact, the event was one of the best things I have done and in some many ways, it has transformed who I am, due to leaving my full time job shortly afterwards to go into Airstoc. It is not only great fun to be involved with so many people from different walks of life, you learn so much in such a short space of time and also have a better understanding as to who you are and what you’re skilled at afterwards. I literally could recommend it highly enough.
You are forced to get involved in different areas, some you enjoy and some you don’t. Plus you have to work in a team of people you have just met, pushed against time, with a lot of strong characters. However, by the end, you have new friends, not only just in your own team but across the whole event, have learnt so much, got involved in things you never would be before, and ultimately, have the opportunity to win the top prize at the end, whilst sipping on lot of well-deserved wine and beer."
Continued on Page 2 Aiming to improve workflow and increase business productivity, Oroson is an SaaS platform that allows you and your team to manage all your content together, in one handy online place. Time is ticking to apply to Rising Stars, Tech Nation's new competition to find the UK’s most ambitious early-stage tech startups. The SaaS startup that helps you "create the buzz you need, for less"... Why it is important for business leaders to review their inclusivity strategies and how this can benefit their business as a whole. Applied - The recruitment platform that will help you hire fairer, faster, and retain hires for longer... Branswer - The lowdown on the startup that will help you write content on brand, every time... Using satellite imagery, combined with machine learning techniques, AgTech startup CropSafe are on a mission to accurately detect and predict impending diseases within farmers crops. Hike is an SEO platform built for startups that allows you to optimise your site and content and aimed at saving 75% on annual SEO costs. The Festival of Female Entrepreneurs, now in its seventh year, is aimed at supporting women to build and grow sustainable businesses. UK Chancellor Philip Hammond chose his Conservative Party Conference speech to suggest that he wouldn’t wait for an international consensus on digital services taxation.
Subscribe to our newsletter
If you would like to receive our startup themed newsletter, full of the latest startup opportunities, events, news, stories, tips and advice, then sign up here.
If you would like to enable commenting via your Startacus account, please enable Disqus functionality in your Account Settings.
- Oroson aims to be the content hub to rule them all 18th Oct 2018 Aiming to improve workflow and increase business productivity, Oroson is an SaaS platform that allows you and your team to manage all your content together, in one handy online place.
- Is your startup a rising star? 18th Oct 2018 Time is ticking to apply to Rising Stars, Tech Nation's new competition to find the UK’s most ambitious early-stage tech startups.
- Innovative Electrical Clip hangs on to win INVENT Awards 2018 12th Oct 2018 The INVENT Awards 2018 from Connect at Catalyst Inc, took place in Belfast’s Waterfront, during which Gray’s Clip was announced as the overall competition winner.
- Vegan food business The Brook tastes crowdfunding success 11th Oct 2018 Vegan food business The Brook funds 130% in their first three days of their equity crowdfunding campaign on Seedrs, with the funds raised to go towards launching a new home delivery service.
