Beam Global, a provider of sustainable infrastructure for energy storage, security, mobility electrification and smart cities, has signed a definitive agreement to acquire ScoutDI, a company that develops, manufactures and sells drone systems and proprietary AI-enhanced software for inspecting confined spaces and hard-to-access industrial assets.
The proposed acquisition is intended to strengthen Beam Global’s position in the drone market by combining ScoutDI’s established inspection technology and software business with Beam’s manufacturing infrastructure, international presence and customer relationships. ScoutDI serves the maritime, oil and gas, energy and other industrial sectors, with customers in 30 countries.
Its customer base includes ExxonMobil, Chevron, Oceaneering and Ørsted, as well as technical inspection and certification companies DEKRA, Applus+, Kiwa and Apave. ScoutDI technology has also been deployed in the field by Shell, Petrobras and Equinor.
Planned Manufacturing and Market Expansion
Following completion of the acquisition, Beam intends to manufacture ScoutDI drone systems for the US market at its existing American factories. Its European factories, alongside ScoutDI’s retained sales, engineering and manufacturing facilities, are expected to support customers in Europe and the Middle East.
Beam also plans to offer ScoutDI’s drone systems and software to its existing customers across oil and gas, industrial manufacturing, mining, agriculture, utilities, law enforcement, border patrol and government markets. The company also intends to pursue opportunities in the US and European defence sectors.
“The ScoutDI acquisition will be a highly advantageous evolution of our current business, as ScoutDI already has an established global drone and software business with impressive margins and recurring revenues, serving Fortune Global 500 and other significant companies. Furthermore, the ScoutDI technology lends itself to many other applications and opportunities for both enterprise and government customers, which we intend to vigorously pursue through our global network. I am confident that both the existing and future opportunities will create significant new growth avenues for us,” said Beam Global’s Chairman and CEO, Desmond Wheatley. “ScoutDI’s Conditional Approval from the U.S. Department of Defense enables its approved drone systems to be marketed in the U.S. We believe our U.S. factories and skilled team are well positioned to deliver the domestic manufacturing that the approval requires without material increases in capital or operating expenditure, while our European facilities, combined with ScoutDI’s, will cover Europe and the Middle East.”
Drone Inspection Technology and Software
ScoutDI develops drone systems for inspecting confined spaces and industrial assets that can be dangerous, difficult or costly for personnel to access. Its proprietary AI-enhanced software supports these inspection activities, while its Scout Portal platform generates recurring subscription revenue.
The technology is intended for applications where remote inspection can help operators assess areas such as industrial structures and other difficult-to-reach environments. Potential applications identified by Beam include tall buildings, elevator shafts, mines, tunnels and sewers, alongside public safety, security and defence operations.
ScoutDI is also developing additional capabilities, including fully autonomous operations. Beam intends to use its existing customer relationships and international footprint to introduce the technology to new industries and applications.
“Joining Beam is an exciting next step for ScoutDI. Our customers already rely on our products to inspect confined spaces that are dangerous and costly to enter, and Beam brings the U.S. manufacturing, global footprint, and energy expertise to scale that much faster. Manufacturing in the U.S. is the key to the U.S. commercial, government and defense markets, and together we can take our technology to a far larger customer base. We have long believed that there are many other industries and applications to which our technology, and some of the exciting advances we are developing in our technology pipeline, like fully autonomous operations, can bring value, and we plan to take advantage of Beam’s global footprint and relationships to create growth in new markets for our products. We look forward to becoming an integral part of Beam and to demonstrating our combined value to shareholders and customers alike,” added Nicolai Husteli, CEO of ScoutDI.
Husteli will continue to lead ScoutDI following the acquisition.
US Manufacturing and Defence Market Opportunities
ScoutDI’s Scout 137 Gen3 drone system was the first European drone system and one of the first four systems overall to receive Conditional Approval from the US Department of Defense. The approval allows the designated system to be marketed in the United States and provides an exemption from the Federal Communications Commission’s Covered List, subject to applicable conditions.
The approval remains subject to compliance with ScoutDI’s US onshoring plan and updated government product vetting. Beam intends to manufacture the approved product in the United States after closing the transaction, in line with that plan.
Beam expects domestic manufacturing and a documented domestic supply chain to support potential government and defence procurement opportunities. Eligibility for specific procurement programmes remains subject to the applicable requirements, including those associated with the American Security Drone Act and the Blue UAS programme.
The companies also see potential in dual-use applications spanning industrial inspection, public safety, security and defence. Beam plans to pursue these markets through its US manufacturing capabilities, existing defence customer relationships and federal procurement channels.
Wheatley highlighted Beam’s existing energy technology and manufacturing capabilities as potential differentiators in the drone market.
“We currently produce batteries for drones, robots, submersibles and other similar devices which we believe creates a significant differentiator and allows Beam to become what may be the only vertically integrated drone manufacturer in the U.S. that also produces its own batteries. Our patented BeamFlight™ technology, which enables remote recharging of drones without construction or grid infrastructure, adds a further layer of differentiation. We have built a technology platform with global manufacturing and engineering capabilities focused on energy, mobility and intelligence, and we believe Beam has the potential to become a leader in the drone industry because of our depth of experience in developing and manufacturing complex, patented technology solutions for mobility, energy and smart city infrastructure and selling them to exactly the sort of customers who we believe will value the new products and technology we are gaining through this acquisition. I am also very happy to welcome ScoutDI’s leading shareholders, who are all highly respected entities, to the Beam Global shareholder family,” concluded Mr. Wheatley.
ScoutDI’s major shareholders, including DNV, Equinor Ventures and Klaveness, are expected to hold Beam shares following completion of the transaction.
Acquisition Terms and Expected Closing
The purchase price is approximately US$24 million, payable in a combination of cash and Beam common stock. Beam has secured commitments, subject to customary requirements, for non-dilutive financing intended to cover the cash portion of the consideration.
ScoutDI’s sellers may also receive earn-out payments in 2026 and 2027 if drone and software revenues exceed 150% and 160%, respectively, of 2025 revenue. These payments may be made in cash or stock.
The transaction is expected to close in November 2026, subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions.
Drone Market Outlook
Beam cited estimates from Grand View Research placing the global drone market at US$96.4 billion in 2026, representing growth of nearly 15% compared with 2025. The market is expected to more than double by 2033, with demand spanning defence, public safety, industrial inspection and delivery applications.
North America accounts for approximately 40% of the market, while Europe represents around 27%, according to the cited estimates.
The acquisition would bring together ScoutDI’s specialised drone inspection systems and software with Beam Global’s manufacturing capabilities and customer network. The companies intend to use this combination to expand access to remote inspection technology across industrial, commercial and government markets.
