As climate risks rise and infrastructure ages, the demand for real-time geospatial data has never been greater. Enter Vancouver-based Spexi, a startup reimagining aerial imaging through the power of drones.
At the helm is CEO Bill Lakeland, a 20-year veteran of the imaging industry who believes the legacy systems of satellites and aircraft no longer meet today’s speed and scale requirements.
With a decentralized network of drone pilots and a platform purpose-built for speed, accuracy, and accessibility, Spexi is rapidly becoming a go-to resource for everyone from emergency planners to AI developers.
Ahead of his talk at Web Summit Vancouver, Lakeland sat down with Techcouver to discuss how Spexi is helping industries shift from reactive to proactive decision-making—and why he believes Canada is poised to lead the next wave of geospatial intelligence.
For those unfamiliar with Spexi, what does the company do, and what unique problem are you solving?
BL: Spexi is the world’s largest drone aerial imaging network, helping organizations collect and access the most detailed aerial data to power next-generation use cases. We help everyone from government officials to AI companies access aerial imagery at scale, providing data to be used for emergency preparedness and response to training large geospatial models, and a variety of other use cases. We’re solving for issues with traditional aerial imaging incumbents by offering higher-quality, more timely, and more cost-effective aerial data that can be difficult to obtain with ease, reliability, and scalability.
What was the driving force that led you and the team to launch Spexi? Why did you feel the aerial imaging industry needed a change?
BL: I’ve worked in the aerial imaging industry for over 20 years and felt for a long time that the traditional imaging industry was broken. Aircraft and satellite imaging were too slow and expensive for the demand of businesses needing access to this data. We knew drones were the key to not only unlocking clearer and faster images, but a way to provide this data faster and at scale, leveraging a network of pilots to capitalize on the timely demand for better geospatial data. Spexi was born from the idea that this entire system could be reimagined as a decentralized network, where drone pilots can contribute to a bigger mission for organizations to access reliable aerial data.
How do you make the data gathered by Spexi’s pilots available and accessible for those who need it, like government officials or business executives?
BL: We’ve built Spexi to bridge the gap between raw drone footage and a business’s needs. Our network of drone pilots means that we are more flexible than traditional satellite images to gather data when there is specific demand, or after an emergency, so the data can be provided in a few hours, vs. weeks.
Why is the data Spexi collects important to Canadian businesses and what are the most interesting use cases you’re seeing for this data?
BL: The data collected can often be mission-critical for organizations that need faster and more up-to-date information about our physical world across industries like emergency preparedness, smart city planning, and insurance. In Canada, we’re seeing a significant use for this data to address natural disaster risks— we’ve helped Canadian research teams train algorithms to identify fire risks and map the damage from a BC landslide. The most exciting use cases are ones like that combine this data with AI applications for better identifying risk and protecting vulnerable communities.
Canada has a strong regulatory framework for drones– have there been any challenges in scaling a platform like Spexi in Canada and globally?
BL: Canada is actually one of the global leaders in drone regulation, which has been a great foundation for us, and our team at Spexi has worked deeply in the aerial imaging space for quite some time, understanding the ins and outs of these regulations. As we look to scale globally, that comes with complexity, just like with any other business, especially when moving across jurisdictions. One of the biggest challenges is navigating a patchwork of global policies while keeping our platform simple for pilots, but we’re committed to building a platform that is safe, compliant, and ready for global expansion.
What’s a trend you’re keeping your eye on within Canada’s growing tech scene, and how could this industry evolve over the next 5 years?
BL: I’m really excited about the rise of geospatial intelligence and automation in Canada. We’re seeing huge advancements in how physical-world data is captured, processed, and applied in real time. Over the next five years, I think we’ll see Canadian companies at the forefront of AI-powered environmental monitoring, and infrastructure digitization with endless use cases.
How do you think drone technology and aerial imaging platforms like Spexi will reshape how industries make decisions at scale?
BL: Industries are moving from reactive to proactive decision-making and aerial data is a big part of that shift. With platforms like ours, businesses and governments don’t have to wait for an issue to become visible through extensive reports or on-the-ground monitoring. They can monitor change in near real-time, spot patterns earlier, and take action before small problems become big ones. Access to this data changes how organizations plan, allocate resources, and reduce risk at scale.
You’re speaking at WebSummit Vancouver this year– what message are you hoping to share with other businesses and founders on stage?
BL: I want to encourage founders and investors to stay focused on building solutions for real-world problems, when you see that the industry needs a change. Some of the biggest opportunities right now are in industries that need better data, faster decision-making, and more scalable infrastructure. There’s massive opportunity to be had for companies that can bridge the gap between the physical world and digital insights, especially in tandem with the growth of AI to power next-generation use cases.
What’s one misconception people have about drone technology or aerial imaging that you’d like to correct?
BL: A common misconception is that drone technology is mainly about surveillance or invading privacy. In reality, responsible drone use prioritizes strict privacy safeguards and transparency. At Spexi, we ensure privacy safeguards are put in place to ensure personally identifiable information is protected. Building trust around how this data is handled is essential for unlocking the real benefits of aerial imaging.
Can you walk us through your business model – how do you balance serving pilots who collect the data with clients who need it?
BL: We sit at the intersection of two stakeholders— our pilot network and our enterprise clients. Pilots use our app to accept and complete missions, earning income while contributing to a larger dataset. On the client side, we offer flexible plans depending on how much and how often they need data. We manage the workflow and ensure the data quality, giving our network of pilots the opportunity to get paid for doing what they love and businesses the crucial data insights they need.
What’s been your biggest surprise in terms of which industries or use cases have adopted Spexi most enthusiastically?
BL: One of the biggest surprise use cases comes from the public sector, where municipalities, emergency response teams, and regional governments have been incredibly forward-thinking in how they use aerial data. Whether it’s flood planning, urban development, or infrastructure maintenance, they’re often ahead of the curve in realizing the value of real-time, drone-based insights.
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