Cleanzine: your weekly cleaning and hygiene industry newsletter 13th August 2026 Issue no. 1223
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Perfect allies: Lucid Bots and Vets to Drones create cleaning careers for transitioning veterans
Lucid Bots, the US-based manufacturer of the Sherpa Drone, has announced its official sponsorship of Vets to Drones (V2D), a veteran-led, non-profit dedicated to transitioning military service members into worthwhile careers.
This will connect V2D members with a proven path to business ownership using the Sherpa Drone platform, one of the most accessible entry points into the cleaning drone market.
Founded in 2023 and led by Marine Corps Veteran Chris Lewis, Vets to Drones provides free FAA Part 107 certification training, advanced training in mapping, public safety, infrastructure inspection, agriculture, NIST-standard flight education, mentorship and job placement support to thousands of veterans throughout the US.
For veterans entering the exterior services sector, the Sherpa Drone eliminates the need for ladders, lifts, ropes and scaffolding on exterior window cleaning, facade washing, solar panel maintenance, and building wash-down work. A V2D member with a Part 107 certification and a Sherpa Drone has the foundation to launch a profitable business quickly.
Lucid Bots operators across the country have collectively earned more than $75 million in revenue, with many operators targeting $100,000 or more within their first 120 days of operation.
"Veterans bring discipline, precision and mission focus - exactly what it takes to run a successful drone cleaning operation,” argues Matt Lowen, sr. alliance manager, Lucid Bots. “Vets to Drones is building an exceptional pipeline of certified pilots, and we're proud to be part of the infrastructure that helps them build real businesses when they come home."
Chris Lewis, founder & CEO, Vets to Drones, adds:
"The transition out of service is hard, and the hardest part is often just finding direction. Partnering with Lucid Bots gives our members a concrete path forward into an in-demand field where the drive they built in uniform carries straight into commercial work."
The sponsorship reflects Lucid Bots' broader commitment to expanding access to the commercial cleaning drone industry. The Sherpa Drone is manufactured in Charlotte, NC, and has an NDAA-compliant version, making it a trusted tool for operators across more than 40 states and on three continents. The drone has logged over 6,500 jobs since its introduction and more than 22million sq.ft of cleaned surface area in one year.
Membership and training is free to all veterans. Learn more at:
www.vetstodrones.org | www.lucidbots.com
16th July 2026