Software Startup Gets Financing for Power-Grid Inspection Drones

(Bloomberg) -- Sterblue, a French startup developing software that helps drones inspect power lines and wind turbines, raised $2 million in seed funding to expand in the U.S.

The round was led by Silicon Valley-based venture firm The Westly Group, founded by Steve Westly, a former California state controller, according to a statement Monday. Other investors include Innogy SE, EDP-Energias de Portugal SA, Contrarian Ventures and Gagarin Capital Partners.

Utilities are increasingly using drones as a cheaper way of monitoring infrastructure in dangerous, remote areas.

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