By Marissa V. Foster

GUYANA, like the rest of the world, is exposed to rapidly unfolding technological advancements, using various technologies to fast-track development. Recognising the potential these developments hold, local entrepreneur, Brian Smith, is a visionary who understands the importance of navigating technology in Guyana to create efficient business solutions.

He is the founder of Dragonfly Drones and Geospatial Solutions and currently holds the title of Operations Lead for the company. Dragonfly is more than a drone service provider; the company prides itself as a solutions company, excited to find resolutions using drone technology.

Smith describes himself as a “country boy” from Buxton, a village with a rich legacy of resilience and community spirit. He has always explored various avenues in academia and considers himself more of a generalist than a specialist. He holds a degree in International Relations, which laid the foundation for his engagement with broader social and economic issues.

Subsequently, he pursued a Master’s in Natural Resources Management, opening a world of possibilities, particularly in Geospatial Intelligence and drone use in land use planning. This complemented his growing interest in how technology can reshape our approaches to managing and conserving natural resources. “My path definitely wasn’t linear, but each step has uniquely equipped me to lead a business that blends technology with meaningful social and environmental impacts. In hindsight, I can definitely credit my diverse academic background for distinct areas of success”, said Smith.

Dragonfly was the local organising team for Guyana’s first drone show, where they collaborated with One Communications and Lunalite. Smith shared that his inspiration to create Dragonfly Drones came during the pandemic and was a pivot from the regular ‘9-5’ job. “Starting from there, supported by my wife, we found our niche and began expanding as Guyana’s real estate sector surged. I was able to make a great leap forward after winning the Black Entrepreneurs Association Emancipation Pitch competition – where I won two million dollars to invest,” Smith shared.

Smith’s subsequent participation in the US Embassy YLAI Programme also allowed him to travel to Lincoln, Nebraska, to build on his pitch-winning solution. When asked why he committed to drones over other technological advancements, Smith said, “Drones and robots are the future.”

His journey in the drone sector has been filled with learning, growth, and a sense of purpose. This leading drone business initially started with one little drone and now has an expanded wide range of equipment. Brian highlighted its use in the current agricultural sector, geography and even national security. Instead of spraying fertilisers manually, farmers can now use drones to spray—saving time and increasing production. Brian stressed that many people still see drones as “toys” rather than valuable tools for industry.

Smith emphasised that there is still some misconception and apprehension about drones, highlighting the importance of educating clients and partners to show how drones can improve efficiency and safety. Under his lead, Dragonfly Drones remains open to discussions, demonstrations, and knowledge-sharing sessions to break down these misconceptions. To date, the company’s drones have been used to help complete road designs, and they are also currently working with local farmers to apply drones to plant protection and fertilisers.

The drone technology sector is still developing, and Smith advises upcoming entrepreneurs to follow the rules of the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority for safe and responsible use. He also mentioned that upcoming entrepreneurs can connect with Dragonfly to learn how to fly drones. On the topic of safety, it is important to remember that users share the skies with others and should be conscious of the risks, which is why Dragonfly is a strong advocate for the safe use of the skies and regulatory compliance.

Dragonfly’s future is focused on continuing to provide high-quality services while expanding the ways they support Guyana’s development. “With our engineering deliverables, we are already helping projects save time and keep workers out of hazardous situations, but we see even more potential on the horizon. We are about to launch our artificial intelligence additions to our operations to enhance data analysis and deliver smarter, faster, and more actionable insights to our clients,” he said.

Smith and team are nurturing new talent through their drone kids and drone girls programme, in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports. They’re expected to restart this programme in the new year. “We believe that through education we can ensure we keep the skies safe while delivering solutions for the future. Our overarching goal is to contribute meaningfully to the modernisation and safety of industries across Guyana, leveraging technology to make lasting impacts in our communities,” he said.

Dragonfly Drones hopes to expand and diversify into new service areas. They look forward to creating strong partnerships with both local and international stakeholders. Dragonfly Drones and Geospatial Solutions can be found on Facebook or Instagram @dragonflydronesgy or contacted on 687-2714. Visit their website, dragonflyguyana.com.