SUMMARY: Award winning startup Blue Vigil’s will demonstrate a tethered drone system on April 14th at 1 p.m. at JMU’s Bridgeforth Stadium.

Local startup Blue Vigil — named a top 40 “Best University Startups of 2017” by the National Council of Entrepreneurial Tech Transfer — will demonstrate a tethered drone from 1-1:30 p.m. Friday, April 14 at James Madison University’s Bridgeforth Stadium.

Access the football field through Gate A behind the ticket office near the entrance to the Champions Drive parking deck.

Blue Vigil CEO Todd Stave says the drone “offers a powerful observation and communications platform to law enforcement officials, first responders, event organizers and others. The support from the Harrisonburg investment community and James Madison University is allowing us to rapidly bring this valuable technology to the markets.”

The startup was created through an innovative economic development program managed by InnovateTech Ventures based in Herndon; James Madison University’s Office of Technology Innovation and Economic Development; and Shenandoah Valley Angel Investors.

Blue Vigil is in the process of commercializing the device, which is designed to provide a low altitude vantage point and can carry a wide variety of cameras, sensors or radio equipment. The tether provides the power supply, allowing the platform to stay aloft for a virtually unlimited time.

The company has been invited to Washington, D.C. to participate in University Startups Demo Day at Congress April 18-20. The event raises awareness in Congress of the pivotal role that universities play in the formation of high potential startups, the creation of high-value jobs across the country and overall national competitiveness.