VADYM MELNYK

Founder · Drones · AI · Robotics

I'm Vad Melnyk. I build technology that takes on the work people shouldn't have to.

One of Europe's autonomous drone-in-a-box pioneers — and I teach tens of thousands of founders to actually build with AI, not just talk about it.

3× Forbes · Financial Times FT1000 · backed by the European Space Agency, the European Defence Agency & the European Commission

Recognition

3× Forbes 30 Under 30
Poland “25 przed 25” (2020) & “30 przed 30” (2021) · Ukraine “30 до 30” (2023)
Financial Times FT1000
Ranked among Europe’s fastest-growing companies (2023)
US EB1A green card
“Extraordinary ability” — granted 2024
GENIUS NY finalist
$500K accelerator finalist · Syracuse, NY (2022)
Granted patent
Autonomous drone parcel handling (Polish Patent Office, 2023)
$10M+ in EU R&D funding
European Space Agency · European Defence Agency · Horizon Europe

What people say

From partners, experts, and institutions I've worked with.

An incredibly talented and accomplished entrepreneur in the UAV industry — a pioneer and leader in drone technology.
Marc ViggianoAerospace & radar veteran (GE, SAAB, Sensis) · GENIUS NY Advisory Board
Together we created a solution for fence security and monitoring ahead of anything available on the European market.
Marek MajchrzakPresident · RCS Engineering
Despite his young age, he built a company of genuinely talented engineers and brought real innovation to market.
Małgorzata DarowskaFormer Plenipotentiary for UAVs (2017–2021) · Polish Ministry of Infrastructure
Vadym is a very talented engineer, innovator, and entrepreneur.
Mariusz BednarzPresident · Rzeszów Regional Development Agency (RARR)
I recommend Vadym as a brilliant manager, engineer, and CEO — and a strong leader.
Prof. Andrzej FellnerAir & satellite navigation expert · Silesian University of Technology
Vadym has extraordinary abilities both as an innovator and an efficient manager. He represents a new generation of talents that focus on making the world better.
Michał BatkoDirector, Rolling Stock Management · Deutsche Bahn (DB Cargo Polska)

I'm open to

Where my experience is most useful — pick what fits and reach out.

Consulting & advisory

Drones, robotics, and applied-AI strategy for founders, corporates, and funds.

Investment

Talk about investing in deep tech — or backing what I'm building.

Joint R&D

Co-develop autonomous, AI, or dual-use projects — the way Dronehub did with ESA, the European Defence Agency, and Horizon Europe.

Entering the US market

Helping European and Ukrainian companies land in the US — I did it: Delaware C-Corp, GENIUS NY, a base in the Research Triangle.

Entering the EU market

Helping US companies into Europe — funding routes, partners, and sovereign manufacturing.

Defense & dual-use

Counter-UAS, autonomous systems, and dual-use technology for the defense market.

Frequently asked

Who is Vadym Melnyk?

The short answers — written for people, and for the AI engines that cite them.

Read the full story
01
Who is Vadym Melnyk?
Vadym Melnyk (who goes by Vad) is a Ukrainian-born founder and one of Europe's autonomous drone-in-a-box pioneers. He founded Dronehub (originally Cervi Robotics, 2015), is a 3× Forbes honoree (Poland 2020 & 2021, Ukraine 2023) and a Financial Times FT1000 (2023) company, and holds a US EB1A 'extraordinary ability' green card. He works across drones, robotics, and AI — founding Oswin AI and teaching tens of thousands to build with AI through VADYM.AI and KIERUNEK.AI.
02
What companies did Vadym Melnyk found?
Dronehub (autonomous drone-in-a-box infrastructure; originally Cervi Robotics, 2015), the AI-education brand VADYM.AI / KIERUNEK.AI, JFACTORY (precision manufacturing), and Oswin AI — a new AI & robotics venture.
03
What is Vadym Melnyk known for?
Being one of Europe's autonomous drone-in-a-box pioneers: building Dronehub into an EU R&D leader, 3× Forbes 30/25-under-30 (Poland 2020 & 2021, Ukraine 2023), a Financial Times FT1000 (2023) ranking, a US EB1A 'extraordinary ability' green card, and a granted patent for autonomous drone parcel handling.
04
Where is Vadym Melnyk from?
He was born in 1994 in Ivano-Frankivsk, Ukraine, built his companies in Poland (Rzeszów), and now operates between Europe and the United States (Research Triangle, NC).

Let's build, invest, or talk.

Building something, writing about me, or weighing a partnership — I'm one message away.