About Generational Group DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Generational Group, a leading mergers and acquisitions advisory firm for privately held businesses, is pleased to announce the sale of VARA 3D, Inc. to ZenaTech, Inc. The acquisition closed December 16, 2025. Headquartered in Murray, Utah, VARA 3D, Inc. specializes in commercial, residential, and solar energy firm projects with a broad base of recurring clients. Their services include land surveying, 3D mapping, and construction staking, as well as commercia ...

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Jan. 15, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ZenaTech, Inc. (Nasdaq: ZENA) (FSE: 49Q) (BMV: ZENA) ("ZenaTech"), a technology solution provider specializing in AI (Artificial Intelligence) drone, Drone as a Service (DaaS), enterprise SaaS, and Quantum Computing solutions, today announces that the company has been invited to present and participate in one-on-one investor meetings at three upcoming investor conferences: the Emerging Growth Conference, the Deal Flow Discovery Conference, and t ...

Core Viewpoint - The pilot project for drone delivery in Ho Chi Minh City aims to assess the feasibility of short-distance cargo delivery using drones, focusing on safety, stability, operational efficiency, and collaboration among government, tech companies, postal logistics, and retail sectors [1] Group 1: Project Implementation - The project is initiated by the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Science and Technology in collaboration with the High-Tech Park Management Board and several tech companies [1] - It operates under the flight permit from the Ministry of National Defense and is set to run throughout 2026 [1] Group 2: Strategic Goals - The pilot is not just a technical test but a strategic initiative to standardize controllable operational processes for drones [1] - It aims to provide a basis for government agencies to improve management mechanisms and development policies [1] Group 3: Long-term Vision - The city is committed to developing drones as a strategic high-tech industry, promoting drone delivery services, smart logistics, and smart postal services [1] - The project is expected to enhance domestic companies' mastery of core technologies, boost innovation capabilities, and create an intelligent logistics model integrated with urban development [1]

Core Insights - Solar Drone, a subsidiary of VisionWave Holdings, has been selected to participate in Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, highlighting its role in the renewable energy sector [1][2] Company Overview - Solar Drone specializes in drone-based inspection and analytics for utility-scale solar and critical energy infrastructure [1] - VisionWave Holdings focuses on advanced sensing, autonomy, and AI-driven systems for defense and security applications [5] Industry Context - The Middle East is accelerating investments in large-scale renewable energy and next-generation infrastructure, creating opportunities for technology providers like Solar Drone [2][3] - There is a growing demand for efficient solar energy systems to support energy-intensive digital operations due to the expansion of regional data center infrastructure [3] Strategic Engagement - Solar Drone's participation in Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week allows it to engage with policymakers, energy operators, and infrastructure owners, enhancing its business development efforts in the region [2][4] - The company has conducted strategic meetings in Dubai, showcasing its drone capabilities to energy-sector decision-makers, which has led to increased interest in its technology [4]

Core Insights - Alphabet's drone subsidiary, Wing, is expanding its rapid delivery network in partnership with Walmart, aiming to reach an additional 150 Walmart outlets this year and establish over 270 dedicated drone hubs by 2027, potentially serving over 40 million consumers in the US [1][5] Group 1: Expansion and Consumer Behavior - Wing's expansion builds on the success of its existing program, with the top 25% of customers placing orders approximately three times weekly, indicating a shift in consumer behavior towards expecting seamless, contactless delivery options [2] - Drones are redefining the last-mile delivery challenge in e-commerce, enabling deliveries of small packages in under 30 minutes, which addresses issues of lengthy shipping times and high costs that deter impulse buys [3] Group 2: Retail Ecosystem and Sustainability - The integration of drone deliveries allows retailers like Walmart to reduce reliance on ground transportation, potentially lowering carbon emissions and alleviating urban traffic congestion, aligning with broader sustainability goals in e-commerce [4] - The scalability of drone delivery networks could democratize access to rapid delivery in suburban and semi-urban areas, expanding market reach beyond densely populated cities [5] Group 3: Fintech Integration - Fintech applications enhance customer experiences by enabling frictionless transactions through integrated payment gateways, allowing for one-tap transactions within apps like Walmart's mobile platform [6] - AI-driven personalization in fintech tools suggests drone-eligible items and optimizes inventory based on real-time demand signals from drone orders, improving supply chain efficiency [7][8] Group 4: Consumer Expectations and Trust - In an era of immediacy, fintech plays a crucial role in secure data handling and fraud prevention, building trust and loyalty among consumers [9] - The synergy between drone technology and fintech could set new standards in digital commerce, making it faster, smarter, and more inclusive [9]

Group 1 - AeroVironment stock has increased by 33.3% from the end of trading last Friday to the close of today's market session [2] - Investors are speculating that international tensions will spur increased defense spending, particularly in light of recent military actions and President Trump's comments on the defense budget [4][8] - President Trump proposed increasing the 2027 defense budget from $1 trillion to $1.5 trillion, which has further fueled investor interest in defense stocks like AeroVironment [5][8] Group 2 - AeroVironment shares are currently trading at a premium, with a price of 79.8 times operating cash flow compared to a five-year average of 34.9 [6] - Given the high valuation, investors may consider defense-focused exchange-traded funds (ETFs) as an alternative to individual stocks like AeroVironment [6]

Core Insights - ZenaTech is set to open its Zena AI R&D center in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, in Q1 2026, focusing on defense-oriented AI systems enhanced by quantum computing [1][2][3] Company Overview - ZenaTech specializes in AI drone technology, Drone as a Service (DaaS), enterprise SaaS, and quantum computing solutions for mission-critical applications [5] - The company has been operational since 2017, leveraging software development expertise to innovate in drone design and manufacturing [5] - ZenaTech's solutions are utilized across various sectors, including law enforcement, government, agriculture, defense, and logistics, driving operational efficiencies and cost savings [5] R&D Center Objectives - The Baton Rouge R&D center will support U.S. Department of War and DARPA by developing secure AI systems for defense applications [2][3] - Research areas will include AI-driven decision-support systems, autonomous intelligence architectures, and quantum-enhanced optimization [2][3] - The center aims to enhance Louisiana's technology workforce through high-skilled roles and partnerships with universities and defense organizations [3] Strategic Initiatives - The center will contribute to the Eagle Eye initiative, which integrates AI drones with data analytics and quantum computing for improved battlefield performance [4] - These initiatives align with the White House's AI Action Plan, emphasizing domestic AI innovation and ideologically neutral technologies [4]

Core Insights - EagleNXT has established a strong foundation for growth in 2026, driven by advancements in defense adoption, commercial innovation, and agronomic research [1][2] Group 1: 2025 Achievements - The launch of the EagleNXT brand aligns with the expectations of defense, public safety, and intelligence customers, emphasizing the commitment to rugged, NDAA-compliant tactical UAS solutions [3] - Significant advancements in UAS sensors, payloads, and autonomy have been made, enhancing operational versatility and reducing time-to-mission for defense and dual-use operators [4] - The company has strengthened relationships with U.S. federal agencies, leading to increased adoption of its platforms across various military programs, validating performance and reliability [4][7] Group 2: Product Innovations - Introduction of a new triple sensor payload capable of capturing 15 simultaneous bands at centimeter-level precision [6] - Launch of the "Dovetail" mount for MicaSense sensors, facilitating integration with American-made UAVs [6] - Successful integration of the MicaSense RedEdge-P multispectral camera on rugged UAV platforms [6] Group 3: International Expansion - EagleNXT expanded its presence in Europe, the Middle East, and Asia through new deployments and strategic partnerships, reflecting growing global demand for compliant UAS solutions [8][12] Group 4: Financial and Strategic Developments - The establishment of a Series G Preferred Stock financing structure allows the company to raise up to $100 million, enhancing financial flexibility for strategic initiatives [8][13] - The company is focused on accelerating next-generation platform development, including AI-enhanced autonomy and advanced ISR capabilities [13]

Group 1 - Unusual Machines, Inc. (UMAC) is a notable micro-cap company in the drone-technology sector, having gone public in early 2024 through a small IPO [1] - The company acquired two entities at the time of its IPO, indicating a strategy to expand its operations and capabilities within the industry [1]

Core Insights - The article highlights the growing importance of drone technology across various industries, emphasizing its evolution from basic operations to advanced missions, making drones essential tools [1] Group 1: Company Profiles - **AeroVironment Inc. (AVAV)**: Specializes in unmanned aircraft systems and efficient energy systems, serving primarily U.S. Department of Defense agencies. The company anticipates over 100% revenue growth and 10.4% earnings growth for the fiscal year ending April 2026 [5][7][8] - **Coherent Corp. (COHR)**: Focuses on breakthrough technologies across various markets, including industrial and communications. Expected revenue growth is 15.2% with earnings growth at 42.2% for the year ending June 2026 [9][10] - **Trimble Inc. (TRMB)**: Benefits from strong recurring revenue growth and digital adoption, particularly in its AECO and Field Systems segments. The company projects revenue growth of 6.9% and earnings growth of 11.1% for the next year [11][13] Group 2: Market Position and Growth Potential - AeroVironment's expected growth rates indicate a strong market position, particularly in defense-related applications, with a consistent earnings estimate over the past week [6][7] - Coherent's recent earnings estimate has improved by 9.6%, reflecting positive market sentiment and growth potential [10] - Trimble's focus on software-driven revenue and AI solutions positions it well for future growth, supported by a robust patent portfolio [12]