Discover how Nomadic Drones leveraged Alchemist programming to refine their AI-powered drone technology, secure funding, and scale across global utility markets.

Expose Yourself to Luck: How Nomadic Drones Used the Alchemist Network to Revolutionize Utility Inspections

Nomadic Drones is reshaping the future of utility inspections with autonomous drones that can land and recharge on power lines, eliminating the logistical bottlenecks of traditional drone operations. From early prototypes to securing utility partners, their journey has been fueled by participation in Alchemist Class 38, where they refined their business model, secured funding, and built industry credibility.

Founders Andreas Moldskred and Lauritz Weil came together at Berkeley with a shared vision for making drone inspections autonomous, efficient, and scalable. Through Alchemist’s enterprise ecosystem, they transformed cutting-edge technology into a scalable business, unlocking new opportunities in the utility sector.

The Challenge: Inefficient Utility Inspections

Utility companies are tasked with maintaining extensive power grids, ensuring safety, reliability, and compliance. Inspections are crucial for preventing wildfires, power outages, and equipment failures, but traditional methods are expensive and inefficient:

• Helicopters & Manual Inspections: Costly and limited by weather conditions.
• Drones: Offer better agility but require frequent battery swaps and human oversight.
• Regulatory Barriers: Deploying drones beyond visual line-of-sight adds complexity.

Utilities were left with an operational gap—how to continuously monitor infrastructure without costly interventions? Nomadic Drones identified a unique opportunity: using existing power lines as charging stations for drones, allowing for uninterrupted, autonomous monitoring.

The Breakthrough: Autonomous Drone Inspections

Nomadic Drones developed a first-of-its-kind drone system that leverages the electromagnetic fields of power lines for recharging. Instead of returning to a base, drones can land, recharge, and resume missions without human intervention.

This technology allows utilities to deploy drones across vast grid networks without needing field crews or helicopters. Over time, a fleet of Nomadic Drones could provide round-the-clock surveillance, reducing operational costs and improving response times to maintenance needs.

The Role of Alchemist Accelerator

Nomadic Drones joined Alchemist’s Class 38 in August 2024, a turning point in their trajectory. As a deep-tech startup, they needed strategic guidance to turn their technology into a scalable enterprise solution. Andreas recalls: “We spent months developing the technology, but we needed to figure out the commercial model. That’s when we got in touch with Alchemist, and it changed everything.”

Getting accepted into Alchemist connected them with seasoned drone industry veterans, enterprise technology experts, and who helped sharpen their market strategy. When participating in structured mentorship, the team gained insights that would become the foundation of their future success.

"Nomadic Drones is one of the most exciting companies I’ve coached in the Alchemist program," says Martin Giese, business angel and Alchemist startup coach from Munich, Germany. "Its product features a smart, highly practical design that has captured the interest of top industry players. Lauritz and Andreas impressed me with their rapid development pace and their ability to navigate complex negotiations for the first roll-outs."

Three Key Takeaways from Alchemist

1) Customer Discovery & Market Validation

The team engaged with utility companies, refining their approach based on real-world needs.

“One of the biggest lessons was how to navigate enterprise sales cycles and understand what utilities truly needed,” says Andreas.

2) Investor Readiness & Fundraising

With Alchemist’s support, Nomadic Drones structured their first fundraising round.

“One month before Demo Day, we started fundraising. At Demo Day, we already had our first term sheet. Alchemist’s process gave us the discipline to secure funding efficiently.”

3) Strategic Mentorship & Industry Connections

They were paired with advisors from Siemens Energy, gaining insights into enterprise-grade deployments.

“Having an advisor who had led inspection tech at Siemens gave us a huge advantage,” recalls Andreas. 

Early Success & Industry Traction

Nomadic Drones’ participation in Alchemist helped them land three utility partners across Germany and Norway. The first successful pilot project marked a huge milestone:

“We needed to prove everything worked in a real-world environment. We were making final tweaks two weeks before the demo, and it came together just in time,” says Lauritz. 

Their drone landed, recharged, and resumed operations seamlessly, demonstrating the full capability of their system. This success unlocked further high-voltage lab testing, opening doors to broader regulatory approvals.

Andreas describes the moment: “We had simulated it, but real-world conditions are different. When everything worked on the first try... it was a massive win for us.”

Scaling the Vision: The Future of Nomadic Drones

With momentum building, Nomadic Drones is focusing on:

• Expanding Pilot Programs: More utilities are signing up for autonomous drone deployments.
• Regulatory Approvals: BVLOS (Beyond Visual Line of Sight) certifications will enable nationwide scaling.
• Product Development: A next-generation drone built for industrial-scale operations is in the works.
• They envision a future where thousands of autonomous drones monitor power grids across the globe, providing continuous, real-time data to utility companies.

Lessons for Deep-Tech Startups

Nomadic Drones’ journey illustrates how deep-tech startups can bridge the gap between innovation and commercialization. Their experience at Alchemist highlights:

✅ The power of strategic mentorship in navigating complex industries.

✅ The importance of customer discovery in shaping a viable business model.

✅ How structured accelerator programs help startups raise funding and scale effectively.

For Andreas and Lauritz, the journey is just beginning. “We’ve proven the technology, secured funding, and built key partnerships. Now, it’s all about scaling,” says Andreas. 

Conclusion

Nomadic Drones is pioneering a new era of autonomous infrastructure monitoring, transforming the way utilities inspect and maintain power grids. With the backing of Alchemist and a growing network of industry partners, they are well on their way to redefining the future of drone technology in industrial applications.

The duo offers some insights to aspiring entrepreneurs: 

Expose yourself to Luck

"Some of the best connections we’ve made happened just by being present at events. Sometimes, one conversation leads to another, and before you know it, you’re connected to your first customer. You have to expose yourself to luck." – Lauritz Weil

Take Risks & Trust Your Vision

"There’s always risk involved. No one is going to tell you exactly which path to take. You have to be comfortable making decisions when the right answer isn’t obvious." – Lauritz Weil

"Everyone told us, ‘Don’t build a drone, it’s too hard.’ Of course, it’s hard. But if you break the problem down into smaller pieces, it’s not impossible." – Andreas Moldskred

Just Build, Test, and Iterate

"Don’t overthink things. Just build and test—even if it’s duct-taped together. We broke so much stuff. You’ll learn what breaks and what works, and that’s the fastest way to make real progress." – Lauritz Weil

Surround Yourself with Great People

"We’ve been really lucky with the people around us. You need a strong team, mentors, and even friends who can help push you forward. Success doesn’t happen alone." – Andreas Moldskred

Balance External Advice with Your Own Judgment

"Even experts with impressive track records don’t always see the full picture. Take advice, but don’t blindly follow it. Make decisions based on your own insights." – Andreas Moldskred

The story behind Nomadic Drones is a testament to how deep-tech startups can turn groundbreaking ideas into industry-changing businesses, with the right support, mentorship, and strategic vision. 

The company welcomes inquiries from potential clients and partners through their website, where interested parties can arrange demonstrations of their autonomous drone network capabilities. Their solutions team stands ready to explore applications across various industries and help businesses reimagine what's possible with autonomous aerial systems.

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