Luke applied to the Hatch Program (formally Ideas Program) in 2020 to explore the idea of developing an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) for the movement of livestock. He entered the program to clearly define ‘what is the problem’ and ‘what is the demand’ for his idea. Luke identified an opportunity to explore an alternative to helicopter mustering in order to make the operations of mustering safer, more efficient and cost effective.
Over the course of the Hone Program, Luke has focussed on sales, marketing and business processes. This has largely been driven by a publicity opportunity which has seen SkyKelpie featured on the ABC Landline program, aired in early June.

Luke is currently selling drone packages via his website and facilitating one-day workshops to learn about the latest technology, regulations and aerial stockmanship. He is solidifying plans to set up the “SkyKelpie Academy” which will be an online, interactive learning platform for those wanting to master the art of aerial stockmanship, which forms part of a holistic solution for the adoption of drone-centric mustering. The academy will also support customers in obtaining their licensing and regulatory requirements.

Luke is also working toward setting SkyKelpie up to be an investable business with a view to future capital raises, particularly focussing on IP, governance structures, and an overarching investment strategy that includes ‘metrics that matter’ to investors.