Interview by Jonathan Kersting
How does a small Carnegie-based tech firm go from building data dashboards to designing AI-powered drones for the U.S. Army?
In this episode of TechVibe Radio, Jonathan Kersting sits down with James Julius, founder and CEO of Visimo, to uncover how his 10-year-old company landed a $3 million contract with the Army’s Artificial Intelligence Integration Center. What started as a scrappy, bootstrapped startup is now helping define the future of defense technology, AI integration, and rapid prototyping—all from right here in Pittsburgh.
James shares Visimo’s incredible evolution—from ramen-fueled early days to working with agencies like NASA, the EPA, and the Department of Energy—and how a team of engineers and physicists built a fully 3D-printed, AI-driven drone designed for real battlefield use. Their mission? Create a mid-range reconnaissance aircraft that’s cheaper, faster, and smarter than anything on the market, while meeting the strict standards of the National Defense Authorization Act.
Key Takeaways:
How Visimo’s AI expertise opened the door to defense innovation
Why 3D printing and AI are changing the economics of drone manufacturing
The importance of staying lean, agile, and customer-focused—even in high-stakes federal work
How Pittsburgh is fast becoming a hub for defense robotics and advanced manufacturing
It’s a story of grit, innovation, and local tech making a national impact.
HIt Play now to hear how Visimo is proving that world-changing innovation can happen anywhere—even in the heart of Carnegie, PA.