Aerodyne Group Makes Strategic Investment in Leading Malaysian AI & analytics firm, Synapse Innovation

• Investment will power Synapse from 30 to 500 AI engineers within 3 years
• Firms up Aerodyne’s position for international public listing in next few years

Aerodyne Group, a Malaysia-headquartered international DT3 (Drone Tech, Data Tech, and Digital Transformation) solutions provider has signed an agreement to acquire a principal stake in Malaysia-based AI and Data Analytics company, Synapse Innovation Sdn Bhd.

The investment is engineered to supercharge Aerodyne Group’s prowess in AI and Data Analytics, as well as strengthening Aerodyne Group’s technology support for its international operations, spanning 35 countries. Synapse’s Chief Executive Officer, Dr Afnizanfaizal Abdullah (pic, left), who is a prominent AI scientist in Malaysia, will continue to lead the company and remains a shareholder.

Headquartered in Johor, Malaysia, Synapse focuses on designing and developing machine learning algorithms for cloud-based predictive analytics services for various sectors including Agriculture, Infrastructure and Oil and Gas. Aerodyne Group, together with Synapse will be developing the next generation drone data intelligence platform coupled with smart nested autonomous drone solutions.

“This investment is the first of many future M&As focusing on enhancing the breadth and depth of our second DT pillar (Data Technology). Synapse is perfectly aligned to this vision and have the expertise. Aerodyne Group also intends to accelerate Synapse’s growth plans exponentially under its ecosystem building agenda to champion Malaysian technology,” said Kamarul A Muhamed, Aerodyne Group founder and CEO.

Afnizanfaizal expressed excitement regarding the next phase of Synapse being an Aerodyne Group backed company to help accelerate its plans to grow operations from 30 data scientists to 500 AI engineers and data scientists within 2-3 years.

“We are honoured to have been given the trust by Aerodyne Group to push technological boundaries using our AI and data technology expertise, accelerating Synapse’s growth through this synergistic partnership. Technologies are meant to disrupt, and advancing drone intelligence will be an absolute game-changer,” said  Afnizanfaizal.

Meanwhile, Aerodyne Group Chief Strategy Officer, Amir Zakwan Anuar (pic, left) said, “It is inevitable that augmentation of AI will reinvent possibilities and solidify the foundation of Aerodyne Group’s future. Through this investment, Aerodyne Group will reinforce its competitive edge as the top ranked drone technology company in the world, strengthening its position for an international public listing within the next few years.”

The expected listing is to help Aerodyne capture a large share in the uncrewed aerial vehicles or UAVS market which is growing rapidly. According to Drone Industry Insights (DII), a German research firm, the 2020 value of the market was US$22.5 billion. By 2025 that figure is expected to exceed US$42 billion. Aerodyne Group does not disclose its revenue.

Employing over 700 drone professionals, Aerodyne Group is ranked #1 in the world by DII in its Drone Service Provider Ranking 2021.