How DJI Became the Drone Industry’s Most Valued Company (2024)

How DJI Became the Drone Industry’s Most Valued Company (1)

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Jan 3, 2019

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How DJI Became the Drone Industry’s Most Valued Company (2)
How DJI Became the Drone Industry’s Most Valued Company (3)
How DJI Became the Drone Industry’s Most Valued Company (4)

DA — Jiang Innovations or DJI is a Shenzen based company with humble origins. Frank Wong funded DJI with his university scholarship money back in 2006. The scenario today, is quite different, to say the least.

DJI’s annual sales are estimated at a mammoth $3 billion. And they have nearly 3,000 employees on their roster. As per the latest round of funding in April 2018, DJI is now valued at a cool $15 Billion — which makes Frank the world’s first drone billionaire. So, how has DJI managed to reach this enviable position? Let us segue into our first point — their Chinese origins.

To attribute DJI’s success simply to low production costs courtesy their Chinese production base is a narrow and incorrect view. Sure, low manufacturing costs are a factor — but certainly not the only one.

Drone manufacturing is incredibly complicated and requires mastery over production processes such as injection molding and precision machining. Check out this cool video showing the manufacturing process for a drone frame mold:

This is what Tim Cook from Apple had to say when he was asked about manufacturing iPhone's in China-

“There’s a confusion about China… the popular conception is that companies come to China because of low labor cost. I’m not sure what part of China they go to but the truth is, China stopped being the low labor cost country many years ago and that is not the reason to come to China from a supply point of view…

…the reason is because of the skill… and the quantity of skill in one location… and the type of skill it is. The products we do require really advanced tooling. And the precision that you have to have in tooling and working with the materials that we do are state-of-the-art. And the tooling skill is very deep here”.

Clearly, manufacturing of drone parts is also an industry which requires tooling and engineering skills of the highest degree. So while low costs are one of the reasons for DJI’s success, access to skilled labor is an important factor as well.

Another strong reason for DJI’s success is their responsiveness to market needs. Mike Winn, co-founder, DroneDeploy points out that using the same technology platform for consumer and enterprise solutions allows DJI to innovate and launch new products with lightning speed. So, this allows a Mavic user to have the same user experience when he upgrades to a Matrice — resulting in faster adoption as well.

DJI’s recent partnership with Microsoft will allow DJI users access to the Microsoft ecosystem via a SDK. This will permit drone pilots to offer autonomous and scalable industry solutions. Check out this video to learn more:

GoPro and DJI certainly make an interesting case study for folks wanting to study market strategy and competition. GoPro, founded in 2002 went public in 2014. Riding on the success of their action cameras, the GoPro stock price touched a high of $87 in October 2014. Today the stock is trading at less than 5 dollars. So what really happened?

Arguably, GoPro’s biggest folly was their foray into the drone business — a decision that was fraught with trouble from the get go. After talks of a possible collaboration with DJI and 3DR fell through, GoPro decided to take control of the entire development and manufacturing process. After several delays, Karma was finally launched in late 2016. Citing stiff competition and low margins, GoPro exited the drone business completely in January 2018.

In September 2018, GoPro released the Hero 7 which was touted as the “Gimbal Killer”. Well, DJI responded by combining a camera and gimbal to give us the “Osmo Pocket”. Costing $349, the Osmo Pocket is cheaper than the Hero 7 and gives us much sharper footage. This is what Paul Aitken, Drone U Chief Pilot had to say in his blog post, aptly titled, “SAY GOODBYE TO GOPRO, Family Footage Just Became More Enjoyable Thanks to the OSMO Pocket”.

“No, cameras with stabilized sensors are not as smooth as the OSMO pocket. Even cameras that boast a stabilized sensor will not compete with a camera like the Osmo pocket. A stabilized sensor can only correct 15–20 degrees on the roll axis”.

MOTA CEO, Michael Faro sums up the current market dynamics quite well:

“We are not competing with DJI. That corner of the market is filled.”

Last month, in response to the ongoing US-China Trade war, GoPro decided to stop manufacturing cameras for the US market in China.

But, how have the trade wars affected DJI? Our good friends at DroneDJ reported the hike in prices for the Phantom 4 Pro/Adv Remote Controller to $749 in October 2018. Likewise prices for the Mavic 2 Pro were raised from $1,449 to $1,499 in the month of September. Whether this is in response to increased tariffs for Chinese manufactured goods is still open to speculation.

Click HERE for the entire list of Chinese manufactured products that are subject to increased tariffs.

This is what Mario Rebello, VP and Country Manager, North America has to say about the impact of increased tariffs on DJI products:

“There has been impact. At times we’ll share the cost, and at times we’ll pass along the costs.”

According to Bloomberg, DJI is considering moving to location with less tariff regulations.

With primary drone markets like the US experiencing exponential growth, and with countries like India allowing commercial drone operations, there are no signs that the drone market will experience any slowdown in the coming years. In fact, Gartner predicts that the drone market will touch $11 billion by 2020.

A strong R & D department and a nimble production line means that DJI is well poised to capture this growth. A willingness to work on wafer thin margins also makes it difficult for new competition to find a firm footing in the market. (It is estimated that DJI made a net profit of $120 million on sales of $1 billion in 2014) @TheDroneGirl reported that DJI’s market share has gone up from 72% in 2017 to 74% in 2018.

In 2018, DJI delighted drone users by launching the Ronin S, the Mavic 2, the Phantom 4 RTK and the Osmo Pocket. According to industry rumors, DJI shall be announcing a new Matrice series at CES 2019.

There has also been much speculation surrounding Terra, a trademark which was recently registered by DJI. DJI started a new company, DJI Terra B.V. based in Netherlands. Whether Terra is a mapping application or a land based drone, only time will tell.

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How DJI Became the Drone Industry’s Most Valued Company (2024)

FAQs

How did DJI become successful? ›

Due to DJI's minimalistic designs, user-friendly controls, innovative technology and ready-to-fly reliable systems, DJI products have grown to become the standard in camera and aerial flight systems around the world.

Why are DJI drones popular? ›

For the most part, DJI's drones are easy to set up and fly, capture stable footage, and have solid obstacle-avoidance features. That's all on top of DJI's pre-programmed modes like QuickShots and MasterShots that give you professional-looking drone videos with the push of a button.

Is DJI the best drone company? ›

DJI is easily the top consumer drone manufacturer in the world today, and the most well known as well. They developed the most copied drone out there, the Phantom.

What were the main competitive advantage of DJI? ›

With heavy investment in software and hardware components, an advanced GPS system, and the creation of its Lightbridge transmission system, DJI was able to deliver a faster, better, and even easier-to-fly product, when compared to its competitors.

What is the most successful drone company? ›

Top 10 Drone Manufacturers by Market Share
RankCompanyMarket Share
1DJI74.3%
2Parrot4.6%
3Yuneec3.3%
4Autel Robotics3%
6 more rows
Apr 27, 2023

What is DJI market strategy? ›

DJI's global marketing strategy will be focused on China and Europe in 2021. Most of its sales are made at brick-and-mortar stores. The company plans to ramp up sales by opening more directly operated stores and other sales outlets.

Why have drones become so popular? ›

Sectors like videography, search and rescue, agriculture and transportation have adopted drone technology. Originally developed for the military and aerospace industries, drones have found their way into the mainstream because of the enhanced levels of safety and efficiency they bring.

What is the biggest advantage of drones? ›

ADVANTAGES: MAINTAINING SAFE ENVIRONMENT - UAVs are utilized in numerous occurrences due to their advancement in safety. With their remote control abilities, Drones monitor locations, communicate possible hazards, and notify threatening conditions.

Which is the biggest drone company in the world? ›

Founded in 2006, DJI is now the world's largest drone manufacturer and offers a range of products for both consumer and commercial use. DJI's consumer drones are designed for aerial photography and videography, while its commercial drones are used in agriculture, construction, and public safety industries.

What is the largest drone company in the world? ›

DJI currently dominates more than 70% of the global drone market. According to a report by Drone Industry Insights, the market is expected to grow from $30.6 billion in 2022 to $55.8 billion by 2030. The Shenzhen-based company was formed in 2006 out of a college dorm room by its founder Frank Wang.

Who is the No 1 drone service provider? ›

“The ranking is split into the 5 best remote sensing companies and the 5 best companies for drone delivery.” The U.S took the top spots in delivery, with medical drone delivery company Zipline landing the number 1 spot for drone delivery. Malaysia's Aerodyne Group placing first for remote sensing.

Who is the target customer of DJI? ›

Targeting DJI's targeting of their market has been very apparent. They target hobbyists and non-hobbyists, and these are also the most profitable segments that they are dominating in. Hobbyists are those that utilize the drone for personal use, photography and leisure activities.

What are the core values of DJI? ›

Creativity is at the heart of every dream. Every idea, every groundbreaking leap that changes our world starts with the vision of talented creators. At DJI, we give these creators the tools they need to bring their ideas to life. Our platforms empower them to capture images that were once out of reach.

Why is drone technology the best? ›

Drone technology is a significantly safer alternative incorporating ultrasonic, light detection, and grounding lasers, allowing farmers to spray crops five times faster than conventional crop spraying methods.

What is the largest drone company in the US? ›

Skydio is the leading U.S. drone manufacturer and world leader in autonomous flight technology. Skydio leverages breakthrough AI technology to create the world's most intelligent flying machines for consumers, enterprises, defense and civilian agencies.

Who has the most to gain from drone technology? ›

What Industry Uses Drones the Most?
  1. Agriculture. The first industry to discuss is agriculture. ...
  2. Construction. Another industry that is in the running for the industry using the most drones is certainly construction. ...
  3. Law Enforcement. ...
  4. Shipping and Logistics. ...
  5. Real Estate. ...
  6. Film and Photography. ...
  7. Security.

Who is the largest drone manufacturer in the US? ›

Along with The Boeing Company (NYSE:BA), Lockheed Martin Corporation (NYSE:LMT), and NVIDIA Corporation (NASDAQ:NVDA), AeroVironment, Inc. (NASDAQ:AVAV) is one of the biggest drone companies in the world.

How has DJI advanced to become the leader in commercial drones? ›

The integration of an internal GPS ultimately made DJI's drones safer and more reliable in flight than any other drone available at the time and enabled pilots to fly with more control over their aircraft than ever before. With the Phantom 2 series, DJI continued to innovate and push UAV technology forward.

How much is DJI valued at? ›

Real Time Net Worth

Wang founded DJI in 2006 and ran it out of his dorm room at Hong Kong University of Science & Technology. DJI, which reportedly has more than $2 billion in sales, raised money at an estimated valuation of $15 billion in 2018. DJI is best known for its Phantom Drones, which retail for around $1,000.

What technology does DJI use? ›

DJI Transmission incorporates O3 Pro video transmission technology, which offers an incredible 6km/20,000ft on-ground transmission distance.

Why are drones the future? ›

DRONES WILL GET BIGGER AND STRONGER

Drones have long been predicted to revolutionize cargo delivery. In theory, models capable of carrying a large payload should become a more efficient alternative to light transport vehicles and helicopters serving hard-to-reach areas.

How is drone technology improving? ›

Recreational, commercial, and military drones have seen upgrades such as advanced navigation systems, increased range, data storage, and surveillance systems. The exponential growth of UAV technology has led to a surge in drone patent filings.

What problems can drones solve? ›

Thermal data collected by drones helps ensure the safety of gas pipelines and green energy installations such as solar panels and wind turbines. Surveyors run drones with sensor and get data to help identify leaks and other issues along the pipeline.

How drones are changing the world? ›

Consumers directly gain from job creation, leading to additional earnings. Using commercial drones can also enable industries to get savings from affordable means of inventory, distribution, and transportation. Such cost savings could be passed down to the consumer via a reduction in costs.

What is the future of drone industry? ›

Future Of Drone Industry | Trends, Regional Overview and Major Developments. In 2022, the drone market was worth USD 26.6 billion, and by 2030 it will reach USD 77.49 billion, growing at a 14.30% CAGR during the forecast period.

Why are drones important today? ›

Drones now have many functions, ranging from monitoring climate change to carrying out search operations after natural disasters, photography, filming, and delivering goods. But their most well-known and controversial use is by the military for reconnaissance, surveillance and targeted attacks.

What impact will drones have on society? ›

Drones allow safe, easy, and efficient access to places that are hard to reach or unsafe to reach through traditional delivery methods. Given that drones are much faster and safer than traditional transportation, they improve the odds of getting critical deliveries to their final destinations in a timely manner.

Why are drones good for the economy? ›

Job creation

Drones and other emerging aviation technologies will create new jobs in both emerging and existing industries. Drones are projected to create up to 10,000 jobs over the next 20 years.

Who is the king of drone? ›

King of the Drones – David Hopley.

What country buys the most drones? ›

Revenue of the drone market by country 2022

From the selected regions, the ranking by revenue in the drones segment of the consumer electronics market is led by China with 1.25 billion U.S. dollars and is followed by the United States (1.22 billion U.S. dollars).

What is the most advanced drone in the world? ›

Top 10 Finest Combat Drones in the World You Must Know About
  • MQ-9 Reaper. ...
  • TAI Aksungur. ...
  • GJ-11 Sharp Sword. ...
  • Okhotnik B. ...
  • EADS Barracuda. ...
  • Avenger. ...
  • XQ-58 Valkyrie. ...
  • X-47B.
Mar 26, 2023

Who are the biggest drone markets? ›

With a dominant revenue share in 2022, DJI (China), Yuneec (China), and Parrot Drone (France) are now leading the market. Domestic participants are expected to grow due to lack of substantial obstacles and high domestic demand.

What does DJI stand for? ›

DJI, which stands for Da-Jiang Innovations (大疆创新; 'Great Frontier Innovations'), is a Chinese technology company headquartered in Shenzhen, Guangdong, with manufacturing facilities throughout the world.

What drone company does US military use? ›

General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper (also called Predator B) is one of the most popular military drones. The United States Air Force primarily uses the MQ-9 Reaper though it is also used by the Navy, CIA, and NASA.

Who are the leaders in drone delivery? ›

Two leading drone delivery companies, Zipline and Wing, are preparing to start drone deliveries in the U.S. over the next year.

What is the most popular type of drone? ›

Multi-rotor drones, also known as rotary-wing, are the most widely used type of drones for recreational and professional use.

Are there any competitors to DJI? ›

Who Is DJI Biggest Competitor? DJI has various big competitors, including PowerVision Technology Group, Skycatch, DroneDeploy, and 3D Robotics. Each brand offers its own unique products with unique features that suit different types of users better.

Who is DJI owned by? ›

The company was founded in 2006 by Frank Wang (Wāng Tāo, 汪滔). Born in Hangzhou, Zhejiang, he enrolled as a college student in the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) in 2003. He was part of the HKUST team participating in ABU Robocon and won third prize.

Does DJI have any competitors? ›

See how DJI compares to similar products. DJI's top competitors include Wingtra, Skydio, and Droneify.

What percentage of the drone market is DJI? ›

Drones of several varieties have been used on the battlefield during Russia's invasion of Ukraine, including makes from DJI. The global drone market is expected to grow from $30.6 billion in 2022 to $55.8 billion by 2030, according to a report by Drone Industry Insights. DJI dominates more than 70% of that market.

What is the value of the drone industry? ›

How big is the commercial drone market? b. The global commercial drone market size was estimated at USD 29.86 billion in 2022 and is expected to reach USD 42.97 billion in 2023.

What does DJI growth of value mean? ›

The growth value is your scorecard. They represent the point (level you are at) Full term is "growth of value" which is proportional to total flight time and distance. DJI has a community were you can measure your flights against others. Meteals are also awarded to show your level.

What are two advantages of drone technology? ›

Advantages of UAV Drones

Apart from taking on dangerous tasks, drones can also monitor areas that do not necessarily pose a risk to human workers. Still, the reliance on human workers can add a considerable margin of error and accuracy. Drone automation shows potential for reducing this risk of error.

What is the advantage of drone in business? ›

DRONE PROS

Cost-effective – can reduce staff costs over time, bringing a ROI. Always operational – they don't need to sleep or take breaks! Improved access – they can get to tricky places much more efficiently than humans. Reduced risk – letting drones do dangerous jobs is preferable to a manned solution.

Why is drones better for security? ›

Rescue drones equipped with high-resolution cameras and thermal imaging sensors can quickly cover large areas, providing real-time video feeds to operators. This aerial perspective allows rescuers to search for missing persons or locate survivors in remote or inaccessible areas more efficiently.

Why did DJI get blacklisted? ›

DJI is just one of many tech companies that has found its products used on the battlefield. In December 2021, the Shenzhen-based company was placed on an investment blacklist by the U.S. government over its alleged ties to the surveillance of Uighur Muslims in China's Xinjiang region.

Why is Apple selling DJI? ›

Apple does not own DJI. There has been speculation that Apple is buying DJI but in fact, Apple does not have any direct role in this company whatsoever. However, DJI emulates Apple's ecosystem, and Apple has in fact started selling DJI drones as a simple partnership between the two companies.

What is the mission statement of DJI? ›

Creativity is at the heart of every dream. Every idea, every groundbreaking leap that changes our world starts with the vision of talented creators. At DJI, we give these creators the tools they need to bring their ideas to life. Our platforms empower them to capture images that were once out of reach.

Why is DJI banned in the US? ›

However, DJI is now considered a national security threat by the Department of Defense and many U.S. lawmakers. Recently, the U.S. federal government banned the purchase of Chinese drones within the federal sector.

Why did the US ban DJI drones? ›

The DOI cites potential risks to national security as the reason for the ban. Specifically, there is a concern that DJI drones could be used to collect sensitive data and transmit it to the Chinese government.

Who is the largest drone manufacturer in the world? ›

Founded in 2006, DJI is now the world's largest drone manufacturer and offers a range of products for both consumer and commercial use. DJI's consumer drones are designed for aerial photography and videography, while its commercial drones are used in agriculture, construction, and public safety industries.

Who is the target market of DJI? ›

Targeting DJI's targeting of their market has been very apparent. They target hobbyists and non-hobbyists, and these are also the most profitable segments that they are dominating in. Hobbyists are those that utilize the drone for personal use, photography and leisure activities.

Is DJI owned by China? ›

DJI's meteoric rise is an impressive feat for a Chinese brand – one of the few that has succeeded on the global stage.

Which country owns DJI? ›

(Chinese: 深圳大疆创新科技有限公司; pinyin: Shēnzhèn Dà Jiāng Chuàngxīn Kējì Yǒuxiàn Gōngsī) or DJI (大疆创新; Dà Jiāng Chuàngxīn; 'Great Frontier Innovations') is a Chinese technology company headquartered in Shenzhen, Guangdong, backed by several state-owned entities.

Who benefits from drone technology? ›

Engineers can benefit greatly when they use a drone, because drone technology allows them to make even more accurate calculations for the building they are constructing.

Does the US military use DJI? ›

DJI is not a military company in China, the United States or anywhere else.

Does the military use DJI? ›

DJI is not a military company in China, the United States, or anywhere else.

Is DJI a threat? ›

Indeed, U.S. intelligence services have warned that DJI poses a serious national security threat due to the level of sensitive information it collects and the potential for Beijing to access that data.

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