To mark 15 years of innovation and technology leadership, we are looking back at some of the most defining moments in Nearmap history.
The moments that saw Nearmap evolve from a small online startup founded in 2007 in Perth, Australia, into one of the world's largest aerial survey companies — providing tens of thousands of users with access to high-resolution aerial imagery, city-scale 3D content, AI data sets, and geospatial tools.
How many of these milestones have you celebrated with us?
Nearmap is founded and the first test survey is flown (2007)
Nearmap was founded in Perth, Australia, with one goal: to empower businesses and organizations, no matter size or industry, with reliable aerial data. We knew that if we could change the way people view the world, they could profoundly change the way they work. And it all started with our first-ever survey and capture (pictured below).
HyperPod launches (2008)
Nearmap is unique in that it owns the complete hardware, processing, analytics, and software delivery pipeline. It’s why we can provide superior content with unprecedented speed and quality. The first major piece of this was our original camera system, HyperPod — an external pod that captured vertical imagery.
Nearmap expands into the U.S. (2014)
Becoming a global company — Nearmap first entered North America with an expansion into the United States, a market that continues to offer significant growth potential. We now fly over 1,740 urban areas across the nation, covering more than 80% of the U.S. population.
HyperCamera1 launches (2014)
Optimized for vertical imagery and compact enough to be deployed inside the cabin of any aircraft with a standard camera hole, HyperCamera1 was introduced to give us tremendous operational flexibility and enable the utilization of a wide range of survey aircraft.
HyperCamera2 launches (2017)
HyperCamera2 unlocked the capability to capture, process, and publish orthographic, panoramic, and oblique imagery, and provide 3D views of what is on the ground — adding value, particularly for those customers using 3D models in planning, assessments, and quoting.
Nearmap expands into Aotearoa New Zealand (2017)
Nearmap expanded operations to Aotearoa New Zealand, and now the country’s businesses have access to location intelligence data and premium aerial imagery that covers 75% of its population.
Nearmap introduces 3D content (2018)
Allowing users to visualize and measure cities from any direction — the availability of Nearmap 3D content fundamentally changed how industries including utilities, architecture and construction, and government, viewed and shaped cities across Australia and the US.
Nearmap expands into Canada (2019)
The Nearmap North American footprint grew with our expansion into Canada, where our high-resolution aerial imagery now covers 64% of the Canadian population.
Nearmap AI launches (2019)
Having processed over a million square kilometres of imagery, producing petabytes of AI data, we launched our first generally available AI product. The product has grown to consist of 78 AI data layers that automate the identification of 500+ facts per address — from roof types and conditions to solar panels and vegetation — in current and historical imagery.
Watch the video below for an overview of some of our Nearmap AI layers.
Can Your Map Do That? goes live (2021)
From planning the U.S. Open to designing the future of one of the nation’s busiest airports — our “Can Your Map Do That?” brand campaign pulled back the curtain on how our mapping technology gives users access to the information needed to make confident decisions.
By showing how various industries are using mapping technologies to better understand and shape their liveable worlds, we provoked others to consider that if their map can’t do that, it may be time to find another provider.
Check out the video here.
Nearmap ImpactResponse activates (2021)
Nearmap ImpactResponse, a dedicated capture program for natural disasters, was launched to provide high-resolution aerial imagery to insurance providers, public safety, and government agencies, within days, where possible, of a catastrophic event.
Most recently, it was used in combination with our newly-developed AI to help insurers and governments across Florida and the Carolinas get started on Hurricane Ian recovery efforts right away.
Thoma Bravo acquisition (2022)
Thoma Bravo, a leading software investment firm, acquired Nearmap at the end of 2022 — demonstrating the success of our strategy, the long-term value of our business, the market leadership of our technology and products, and the strong capability of our people. This partnership will help Nearmap continue to grow, and deliver even more value to our customers and partners globally.
What's Next for Nearmap?
We continue to work towards our ambition of being the source of truth that shapes our livable world.
At Nearmap NAVIG8 2022, Don Weigel, SVP of Product, said the geospatial industry is on the verge of entering its fourth age.
We are ushering in this new era of geospatial technology with 29 new Nearmap AI layers, the newest generation of our proprietary camera system, and updates to our flagship mapping solution MapBrowser. Learn more about these here, or by watching Don’s keynote address.
Nearmap will, therefore, deliver even more value to our customers and partners around the world, now and into the future.
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