Institute for Innovation and Economic Development

EIVIE: Startup Challenge 2024 Participant Tackles Wildfires with Autonomous Aircraft

Image of an electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft

February 14, 2025

A standout participant in the Startup Challenge Monterey Bay 2024, EIVIE is gaining momentum for its bold mission to combat the escalating global wildfire crisis with autonomous aerospace innovation. The startup is developing an autonomous Vertical TakeOff and Landing (VTOL) aircraft that combines rapid wildfire detection and immediate response in a single, groundbreaking platform.

With wildfires causing over $50 billion in damages each year, EIVIE is targeting the critical early hours of a fire when traditional response methods are too slow or costly to make an impact. Their solution brings game-changing speed, accuracy, and scalability to wildfire management, helping protect both communities and natural ecosystems.

In addition to the Startup Challenge, EIVIE showcased its work at the 2024 LIFT Summit, presented by DART, where it connected with regional leaders in innovation, defense, and advanced mobility. Their presence at the summit highlighted the growing relevance of wildfire technology in both public safety and emerging aerospace applications.

As the company enters its next phase of development, EIVIE is welcoming early-stage investors through a crowdfunding campaign, with contributions starting at just $300. Securing over 100 investors in the first 30 days helps open the door to broader visibility and support from StartEngine’s platform.

Interested in supporting wildfire innovation? Share your interest or soft commitment to invest by emailing dz@eivie.us.