3 Sep 2024
![EIC SC_Aerones_blogpost banner](https://eicscalingclub.eu/hs-fs/hubfs/EIC%20SC_images/Articles/EIC%20SC_Aerones_blogpost%20banner.png?width=2000&name=EIC%20SC_Aerones_blogpost%20banner.png)
Aerones is a world leader in robotic technologies for wind turbine blade inspections, maintenance, and repairs. This Latvian startup’s unique technology has revolutionized wind turbine care services, making them much safer, faster, and more cost-efficient. Now, the company is a member of the EIC Scaling Club in the Renewable Energies market group.
The founders of Aerones, Dainis Kruze and Janis Putrams, started their first ventures 20 years ago in the fleet tracking business. In 2016, they came together to build innovative drone technology. In 2018, while participating in the prestigious American startup accelerator Y Combinator, Aerones found the market fit in the wind industry. This led to a complete shift from drone-based solutions to robotics.
Just six years later, the Aerones team has achieved remarkable success. They've secured all the world's leading wind turbine manufacturers and asset owners as clients, effectively covering a majority of wind turbines globally.
This impressive feat is accompanied by another: pioneering robotic services in this industry. Aerones stands alone as the only company offering these services commercially on a large scale, a testament to their expertise in both technology and market leadership.
A company with such global-scale ambitions inevitably faces hurdles and challenges on its path to success. Yet, Aerones turned trials into stepping stones, emerging stronger and fueling their remarkable growth.
Endijs Bernics, Chief of Staff at Aerones, shares the company’s initial challenges: “The first difficulty was getting the technology ready to go to the customers and demonstrate our maintenance, inspection, and repair services in action. There were different trials and approaches, and the technology was changed and improved constantly.”
The second challenge Aerones faced was introducing robotic solutions to a wind industry reliant on rope access – a risky and outdated method. There were no existing alternatives beyond drone inspections that were limited to taking pictures and videos of the wind turbine blades.
Convincing customers that robots could service towering wind turbines was an uphill battle. The company conducted on-site demos at customer wind turbines, showcasing their technology in action and proving its effectiveness. Initial skepticism ran high, but successful demonstrations ultimately won customers over. Building trust through initial projects, Aerones assured clients of ongoing technology improvements and service expansions.
“Another hurdle was prioritizing services. With diverse needs in wind turbine maintenance (inspections, cleaning, coating, repairs, etc.), we had to strategically choose the initial offering that delivered the most value to customers and would also be aligned with our early-stage technological capabilities,” Endijs Bernics told us.
Currently, Aerones' primary goal is achieving sustainable growth, and the EIC Scaling Club perfectly aligns with this vision. According to Aerones’ Chief of Staff:
“The Ignition Forum in April provided a valuable platform to connect with network members, particularly the EIC Scaling Club’s extensive investor and customer networks. These connections have opened doors for future commercial partnerships and potential investment opportunities, serving as a supporting mechanism for Aerones' continued growth trajectory.”
About the EIC Scaling Club
The EIC Scaling Club is a curated community where 120+ European deep tech scale-ups with the potential to build world-class businesses and solve major global challenges come together with investors, corporate innovators and other industry stakeholders to spur growth.
The top 120+ European deep tech companies will be carefully selected from a pool of high-growth scale-ups that have benefitted from EIC financial schemes, other European and national innovation programmes, and beyond.
The EIC Scaling Club is an EIC-funded initiative run in partnership by Tech Tour, Bpifrance (EuroQuity), Hello Tomorrow, Tech.eu (Webrazzi), EurA and IESE Business School.
Subscribe to our newsletter here to stay up-to-date!
Related Articles
Recent Articles
![](https://eicscalingclub.eu/hubfs/EIC%20SC_%20Basemark%20%E2%80%93%20Digital%20Security%20%26%20Trust_Thumbnail.png)
Basemark: Transforming the driving experience with augmented reality
21 Aug 2024
![](https://eicscalingclub.eu/hubfs/EIC%20SC_Quixquantum%20%E2%80%93%20Digital%20Security%20%26%20Trust_Thumbnail.png)
QuiX Quantum: Building a quantum future with photonic power
15 Aug 2024
![](https://eicscalingclub.eu/hubfs/EIC%20SC_QuoIntelligence_Thumbnail.png)
QuoIntelligence: Democratizing threat intelligence
13 Aug 2024
![](https://eicscalingclub.eu/hubfs/EIC%20SC_Announcing%20new%20Group%20President%20%E2%80%93%20Tero%20Vauraste%2c%20New%20Space%20Group_Thumbnail.png)
Learning is a lifelong journey – Interview with Tero Vauraste
9 Aug 2024
![](https://eicscalingclub.eu/hubfs/EIC%20SC_Quobly%20%E2%80%93%20Next-Gen%20Computing_Thumbnail.png)
Quobly: Tackling the world's growing computational challenges with quantum power
8 Aug 2024
![](https://eicscalingclub.eu/hubfs/EIC%20SC_Challenge%20roadmaps%202-4_Thumbnail.png)
European deep-tech scale-ups focus on market expansion, funnel optimization, and investment readiness level to attract growth funding
6 Aug 2024
![](https://eicscalingclub.eu/hubfs/Eismea_OpenCall_Greece_1080x1080.png)
Open Call – EIC matchmaking opportunity: Pitch your maritime and shipping industry innovations
1 Aug 2024
![](https://eicscalingclub.eu/hubfs/EIC%20SC_%20IF%20interview_Jo%20De%20Boeck_imec%29_Thumbnail.png)
Imec: Bridging the gap between lab and market
29 Jul 2024
![](https://eicscalingclub.eu/hubfs/EIC%20SC_challenge%20roadmaps_European%20Deep-Tech%20Scaleups_Thumbnail.png)
EIC Scaling Club report identifies top go-to-market challenges of European deep-tech scale-ups
24 Jul 2024
![](https://eicscalingclub.eu/hubfs/EIC%20SC_GScan_Thumbnail.png)
GScan: Pioneering infrastructure assessment with muon tomography
18 Jul 2024
![](https://eicscalingclub.eu/hubfs/EIC%20SC_IF%20interview%20Marek%20Kotelnicki%2c%20Managing%20Partner%20at%20VIGO%20Ventures_Thumbnail.png)
Deep-tech is very close to our hearts – Interview with Marek Kotelnicki
17 Jul 2024
![](https://eicscalingclub.eu/hubfs/EIC%20SC_xxii_Thumbnail.png)
XXII: Revolutionizing video analytics with AI-powered computer vision
10 Jul 2024
![](https://eicscalingclub.eu/hubfs/EIC%20SC_2-18.png)
Cohort 2: Meet the New Biotech Platforms stakeholders
9 Jul 2024
![](https://eicscalingclub.eu/hubfs/EIC%20SC_interview_Sweetch%20Energy_Thumbnail.png)
Sweetch Energy: Providing a source of renewable energy that ‘ticks all the boxes’
8 Jul 2024
![](https://eicscalingclub.eu/hubfs/EIC%20SC_images/Articles/EIC%20SC_Marta%20Garcia%20Pedruelo_Thumbnail.png)
How a paradigm-shifting company can benefit from the EIC Scaling Club – Interview with Marta Garcia Pedruelo
3 Jul 2024
![](https://eicscalingclub.eu/hubfs/EIC_ScalingClub_Banners_BlogThumbnail_DanaCamps.jpg)
Decarbonizing maritime shipping with state-of-the-art technology – Interview with Dana Camps
2 Jul 2024
![](https://eicscalingclub.eu/hubfs/EIC_ScalingClub_Banners_BlogThumbnail_ThreatMark%20%281%29.jpg)
ThreatMark: Building AI-powered defense against evolving banking fraud
1 Jul 2024
![](https://eicscalingclub.eu/hubfs/EIC%20SC_images/Articles/EIC%20SC_Aerones_Thumbnail.png)
Scaling new heights: How Aerones conquers the wind industry
21 Jun 2024
![](https://eicscalingclub.eu/hubfs/EIC%20SC_images/Articles/EIC%20SC_2-14.png)
Cohort 2: Meet the Battery & Energy Storage stakeholders
20 Jun 2024
![](https://eicscalingclub.eu/hubfs/EIC%20SC_2-16-1.png)
Cohort 2: Agri & Food Tech stakeholders unveiled
17 Jun 2024
![](https://eicscalingclub.eu/hubfs/EIC%20SC_images/Articles/EIC%20SC_Mikko%20Suonenlahti_Thumbnail.png)
We can build many more unicorns together – Interview with Mikko Suonenlahti
13 Jun 2024
![](https://eicscalingclub.eu/hubfs/EIC%20SC_images/Articles/EIC%20SC_Fabrizia%20Zanca_Thumbnail.png)
Bridging the Blockchain Chasm with Innovative Solutions – Interview with Fabrizia Zanca, VP of People at SettleMint
10 Jun 2024
![](https://eicscalingclub.eu/hubfs/EIC%20SC_images/EIC%20SC_Thomas%20Ferr%C3%A9_Thumbnail.png)
EIB's role in Europe's deep tech ecosystem – Interview with Thomas Ferré
6 Jun 2024
![](https://eicscalingclub.eu/hubfs/EIC%20SC_images/EIC%20SC_Larissa%20Skarke_Thumbnail.png)
Finding investment as a deeptech scaleup – interview with Larissa Skarke of World Fund
28 May 2024
![](https://eicscalingclub.eu/hubfs/EIC%20SC_images/EIC%20SC_banners_Olivier_Thumbnail.png)
Meet the man building deep tech ventures and spin-offs for IMEC: An interview with Olivier Rousseaux, its Director of Venture Development
24 May 2024
![](https://eicscalingclub.eu/hubfs/EIC%20SC_marr%20banners%20blogpost.png)
On European competitiveness and entrepreneurial education: Interview with Maria Zubeldia of Oxford's Saïd Business School
22 May 2024
![](https://eicscalingclub.eu/hubfs/EIC%20SC_images/EIC%20SC_Jacqueline%20van%20den%20Ende_Thumbnail.png)
'Mobilising private capital to address the world's greatest (climate) challenges': Carbon Equity CEO Jacqueline van den Ende is on a mission
15 May 2024
![](https://eicscalingclub.eu/hubfs/EIC%20SC_banners_Michiel_Thumbnail.png)
Scaling up Europe's deep tech ecosystems: An interview with EIC Board President Michiel Scheffer
14 May 2024
![](https://eicscalingclub.eu/hubfs/EIC%20SC_ap%20banners%20blogpost.png)
'Building the unicorns of tomorrow in Europe' - Video interview with Anna Panagopoulou, Director of 'ERA & Innovation' at the European Commission
8 May 2024
![](https://eicscalingclub.eu/hubfs/9_04_24_EIC-04-2.jpg)
The Innovator put the spotlight on three EIC Scaling Club companies: Tilkal, VaultSpeed and Heimdall Power
29 Apr 2024
![](https://eicscalingclub.eu/hubfs/EIC_SC_Mentors_Thumbnail.jpg)
Meet the Mentors: Presenting the curated list of business experts to advise the first cohort of scale-ups
24 Apr 2024
![](https://eicscalingclub.eu/hubfs/EIC_SC_MarketHighlights_Thumbnail.jpg)
EIC Scaling Club Report(s): Insights on four market sectors poised for deep tech innovation
9 Apr 2024
![](https://eicscalingclub.eu/hubfs/jean-david_malo_portrait_pic-1.jpeg)
Interview: EISMEA Director Jean-David Malo takes stock of the EIC's achievements to date, and challenges ahead
29 Mar 2024
![](https://eicscalingclub.eu/hubfs/EIC_Scaling%20Club_48_Thumbnail.png)
48 high-growth tech companies join the EIC Scaling Club to collectively bolster Europe’s deep tech scale-up ecosystem
28 Mar 2024
![](https://eicscalingclub.eu/hubfs/EIC%20SC_Fabrizio%20Del%20Maffeo_Thumbnail%20%281%29.png)
Accelerating computer vision on edge devices as a 'small, fast-growing Nvidia': Interview with Fabrizio Del Maffeo from Axelera AI
25 Mar 2024
![](https://eicscalingclub.eu/hubfs/EIC%20SC_images/EIC%20SC_banners_Christian%20Nagel%20-%20Earlybird%20Ventures_Thumbnail.png)
The Earlybird gets the interview: A chat with seasoned VC investor Christian Nagel
14 Mar 2024
![](https://eicscalingclub.eu/hubfs/EIC%20SC_Jean-jolt_Thumbnail.webp)
Changing the fate of Europe through deep tech investments: Q&A with Jolt Capital's Jean Schmitt
5 Mar 2024
![](https://eicscalingclub.eu/hubfs/EIC%20SC_images/EIC%20SC_Maria%20Tsavachidis_Thumbnail.png)
Moving on up: EIT Urban Mobility CEO Maria Tsavachidis on how to make cities more liveable thanks to sustainable mobility
28 Feb 2024
![](https://eicscalingclub.eu/hubfs/EIC%20SC_images/EIC%20SC_banners_Proxima%20Fusion_Thumbnail.png)
Making clean, scalable fusion power plants a reality: An interview with Proxima co-founder and CEO Francesco Sciortino
27 Feb 2024
![](https://eicscalingclub.eu/hubfs/EIC%20SC_Jennifer%20schenker_Thumbnail.png)
Making media moves: Insights from The Innovator founder (and EIC Scaling Club Council Member) Jennifer Schenker
26 Feb 2024
![](https://eicscalingclub.eu/hubfs/EIC_Scaling%20Club_banners_Jennifer%20Webb_Blog%20thumbnail.webp)
The key to Europe levelling up its game, and insights on the Swiss (deep) tech ecosystem: An interview with Jennifer Webb (Swisscom Ventures)
15 Feb 2024
![](https://eicscalingclub.eu/hubfs/EIC_Scaling%20Club_banners_Blog%20thumbnail-Feb-13-2024-11-49-26-3563-AM.png)
Safety first: Soter Analytics helps prevent workplace injuries (interview with CEO Matthew Hart)
13 Feb 2024
![](https://eicscalingclub.eu/hubfs/EIC_Scaling%20Club_roger_Blog%20thumbnail.png)
Building (and funding) real European deep tech champions: An interview with EIF deputy chief Roger Havenith
6 Feb 2024
![](https://eicscalingclub.eu/hubfs/EIC%20SC_images/EIC_Scaling%20Club_JFM_Blog%20thumbnail.png)
Shaping light as a service - A chat with Jean-François Morizur, CEO of French photonics scale-up Cailabs
2 Feb 2024
![](https://eicscalingclub.eu/hubfs/EIC_Scaling%20Club_banners_veronica_Blog%20thumbnail.png)
Warning: Joining the EIC Scaling Club may get your company acquired! (Veronika Oudova, S-Biomedic)
30 Jan 2024
![](https://eicscalingclub.eu/hubfs/EIC%20SC_images/EIC_Scaling%20Club_podcast%204_Blog%20thumbnail.png)
Catching up with IQM co-founder and CEO (and EIC Scaling Club Council member) Jan Goetz
24 Jan 2024
![](https://eicscalingclub.eu/hubfs/2024_ttg50-summary.png)
Spotting Europe's next unicorns: Check out the Tech Tour Growth50 list
18 Jan 2024
![](https://eicscalingclub.eu/hubfs/EIC_Scaling%20Club_yann_Blog%20thumbnail_Blog%20thumbnail.png)
Shift4Good co-founder Yann Marteil backs EIC Scaling Club's mission to accelerate global impact
19 Dec 2023
![](https://eicscalingclub.eu/hubfs/EIC%20SC_images/EIC_Scaling%20Club_banners_Blog%20thumbnail-2.png)
Thoughts on European deep tech from Massimo Portincaso (Arsenale, Deepwave Ventures, Hello Tomorrow, ex-BCG)
15 Dec 2023
![](https://eicscalingclub.eu/hubfs/DSC_0914.jpg)
Spotlight on the DeepTech Alliance: Q&A with Thomas Klem Andersen
16 Nov 2023
![](https://eicscalingclub.eu/hubfs/Screenshot%202023-11-02%20at%2010.44.09.png)
Presenting the members of the EIC Scaling Club Council
2 Nov 2023
![](https://eicscalingclub.eu/hubfs/EIC_Scaling%20Club_banners_Community_Event%20Thumbnail-1.png)
The Rise of Deep Tech in the Baltics
11 Oct 2023 - Location 3