Terra Drone Corporation’s vision for the future of unmanned aerial vehicles extends well beyond drone operations. Through strategic partnerships and acquisitions, the company is building a comprehensive ecosystem that encompasses the entire lifecycle of drone technology and management. Unifly, a Belgian company specializing in Unmanned Traffic Management (UTM), plays a pivotal role in enabling the safe integration of drones into global airspace.
For this interview, we spoke with Jürgen Verstaen, co-founder of Unifly and former military air traffic controller. He shared insights on the company’s journey from a startup to becoming part of the Terra Drone Group, the importance of innovation in the rapidly evolving drone industry, and his vision for a future where our skies are as busy as our roads.
< Profile: Jürgen Verstaen>
After serving 16 years in the Belgian Air Force as a military air traffic controller, Jürgen co-founded Unifly in 2015. His deep expertise in aviation safety and traffic coordination provided the foundation for pioneering UTM capabilities. Today, he leads innovation at Unifly, managing government-funded research projects that push the boundaries of drone air traffic control.
LinkedIn：linkedin.com/in/jürgen-verstaen-14625721
Q. Can you share your professional background and how Unifly came into existence?
A. My professional foundation lies in military air traffic control, a field in which I served for 16 years within the Belgian Air Force. Together with our CEO, Andres Van Swam, we conceptualized the idea of Unmanned Traffic Management (UTM) and launched Unifly.
I formally founded the company in August 2015 while still in military service and transitioned full-time in March 2016. Initially, I focused on international business development, traveling extensively. Over time, I shifted toward innovation leadership within the organization, a role I continue to fulfill today, managing all non-commercial, externally funded R&D initiatives.
Q. Innovation seems to be at the heart of Unifly’s strategy. Why is it so critical in your industry?
Innovation is not a choice—it’s a necessity. Unlike large corporations with decade-long innovation cycles, we must operate with agility and adaptability. In aviation, particularly in our segment, typical cycles range from 10 to 15 years. However, the market is evolving rapidly, and drone use cases—from inspections to logistics—are growing.
However, the uses of drones are rapidly expanding into areas such as inspection and logistics, requiring a swift response. We are engaged in both commercial projects and publicly funded R&D, and I am primarily responsible for securing external funding.
Q.What are the key responsibilities of your current role in innovation?
While I’m not a program manager, I oversee a portfolio of innovation initiatives. Project managers handle the day-to-day execution, while I focus on identifying strategic R&D opportunities aligned with our ecosystem and product roadmap.
I work closely with the product and sales teams to understand our future direction and scout relevant programs that will allow us to develop accordingly. Most R&D projects require forming multi-company consortia, ranging from a few companies to more than 30. Europe offers excellent frameworks for such collaboration, particularly through programs like Horizon Europe.
At present, I’m managing seven active R&D projects, most lasting two to three years. We’re also working with the European Space Agency on a cybersecurity project that enhances software resilience against external threats.
Q. How would you describe Unifly’s core technology?
A. We’ve developed air traffic management software tailored for drones, rather than traditional aircraft. Our current mission is to merge manned and unmanned aviation into a unified system—that’s the future we’re building.
Our vision draws from science fiction: flying cars, air taxis, autonomous delivery. In that future, Unifly provides the digital infrastructure to coordinate and manage these aerial vehicles safely and efficiently.
Q. What defines the workplace culture at Unifly?
A. One of our biggest strengths is our multinational and inclusive work environment. We currently have team members from five or six different countries. English is the common language, and the cultural diversity allows us to learn and innovate from different perspectives.
The organizational culture is flat and collaborative. There are no rigid hierarchies—we work as one team. Conversations between staff and executives, such as the CCO, are informal and open.
Each day at noon, the team gathers in our shared kitchen for lunch—a routine that encourages connection. Later in the day, informal breaks like table football or short walks help keep the atmosphere balanced and productive.
Q. How has joining the Terra Drone Group impacted Unifly?
A. Initially, Terra Drone held an equity stake but was not involved in day-to-day operations. That changed when our second CEO departed and Japanese leadership became more actively engaged. Representatives like Yuki Ueno and Tsuyoshi Hapuchi joined us on-site.
At first, cultural differences presented challenges—the Japanese approach emphasized cost efficiency and had a very analytical perspective. A candid discussion with Tsuyoshi helped bridge that gap, and from there, communication became more transparent.
Over time, they fully integrated into the team, and mutual understanding deepened. Terra Drone has provided the strategic support necessary for a company of our size to compete on a global scale. Most importantly, we share a common long-term vision for the unmanned aviation ecosystem.
Q. What is your outlook on Terra Drone’s long-term growth?
A. Terra Drone is executing a well-structured, ecosystem-based strategy. I like to compare it to a cake—you need each layer to make it whole.
They operate across all major verticals: drone operations, fleet management, and UTM, where Unifly contributes. For instance, last year they invested in Aloft, a fleet management provider that complements our capabilities.
As we look ahead, greater synergy across group companies will be vital. The ecosystem approach is both sustainable and scalable, in my view.
Q. What message would you share with individuals considering joining Terra Drone or Unifly?
A. My advice: seize the opportunity. This is a chance to be part of aviation history in the making. As a history enthusiast myself, I truly believe we’re witnessing the dawn of a transformative era.
Flying cars, drone delivery, intelligent airspace management—this is the future we’re creating. In 100 years, people will look back and say, “It started here—with Terra Drone and Unifly.”
That’s why our developers take pride in seeing their software in action at client sites. It brings their work to life. At Unifly, you don’t just build code—you build the future.
