Information on the target
ZenaTech, Inc. (Nasdaq: ZENA) has successfully completed its 29th acquisition in the Drone-as-a-Service (DaaS) sector by acquiring Merritt Paul Land Surveying, LLC, a Georgia-based land surveying firm. Founded in 2015, Merritt Paul specializes in providing surveying services for the solar, transportation, and construction industries, including significant projects for a major national transportation company. The firm holds licenses to conduct surveying services in 17 U.S. states and has established a strong reputation in utility-scale solar project surveying across the United States.
This acquisition allows ZenaTech to enhance its DaaS platform, particularly in two of the fastest-growing sectors for aerial data capture: utility-scale solar power plants and transportation infrastructure. The founders of Merritt Paul, Tyler Bius and Levi George, bring over a decade of specialized surveying experience with major clients in the railroad and airport sectors, providing a solid foundation for scaling drone-based surveying services.
Industry overview in the target’s specific country
The Environmental Services & Equipment (NEC) industry in the United States is experiencing significant growth, driven by increasing demand for sustainable practices and regulatory pressures aimed at reducing environmental impact. The sector encompasses a wide range of services, including waste management, pollution control, and environmental consulting, with a notable shift towards innovative technologies such as drone-based inspections and surveys. This evolution is particularly evident in the solar energy sector, where drone technology is being adopted for its efficiency and cost-effectiveness in monitoring solar installations.
According to market analysts, the drone inspection market for solar facilities is projected to grow at an annual rate of 25%, reflecting the broader trend of automation in the industry. As operators transition from manual surveying methods to AI-driven automation, the demand for drone-based surveying and inspection services is expected to rise significantly. This shift is not only enhancing operational efficiency but also ensuring compliance with increasingly stringent safety and environmental regulations.
Furthermore, the market for inspection drones, which includes sectors such as rail and aviation infrastructure, is anticipated to expand from approximately $4 billion in 2025 to over $12 billion by 2032. This growth is fueled by the need for enhanced safety measures and compliance requirements, which are driving the adoption of drone technology across various infrastructure sectors. The integration of high-resolution imaging, LiDAR, and photogrammetry is enabling surveying teams to capture data more quickly and safely than traditional ground crews, further solidifying the role of drones in the Environmental Services & Equipment industry.
The rationale behind the deal The acquisition of Merritt Paul Land Surveying aligns with ZenaTech's strategic objectives to strengthen its DaaS platform in high-growth sectors. By integrating Merritt Paul's expertise in utility-scale solar and transportation infrastructure surveying, Z…