Archer First Response
Venture Overview
Archer First Response Systems is an aerial drone software and management service that helps EMS personnel rapidly deploy lifesaving equipment to medical emergencies, utilizing autonomous drones. Founder Gordon Folkes III, an Orlando native and FSU graduate in Economics and Unmanned Air Systems in EMS, began building and flying sUAS in 2012. He invented a patent-pending deployment method enabling emergency response delivery across 35 square miles with an average response time of 2.5 minutes. A leader in Orlando’s tech community and founder of Orlando Tech & Beer, Gordon integrates aviation technology to prevent fatalities, particularly in cases of Sudden Cardiac Arrest.
Website: www.archerfrs.com
Venture Issue Area: Health & Wellness
Venture Headquarters: Orlando, Florida
Venture Founder
Gordon is an Orlando native and founder of Archer First Response Systems, a company he launched in 2014 to use small unmanned aircraft systems, or drones, to help prevent fatalities in time-sensitive emergencies, with a focus on sudden cardiac arrest.
He graduated from Winter Park High School and earned a B.S. in Economics from Florida State University. He was also part of the first graduating class of FSU’s School of Emergency Management program on the application of unmanned air systems within EMS, earning a certificate of competency in the field.
Gordon began building and flying multi-rotor drones in 2012 and has since focused on their positive integration into society. He invented ArcherFRS’s patent-pending deployment method, enabling emergency first-response delivery across 35 square miles with an average response time of 2.5 minutes.
Since 2017, Gordon has been active in the Orlando technology community through Orlando Tech and Beer, and he helped launch Jacksonville Tech and Beer and Santa Monica Tech and Beer. He has returned to FSU as a guest lecturer, spoken as part of FSU’s 30 Under 30, and presented at events including Girls in Aviation Day and Verizon’s Operation Convergent Response.
Outside of ArcherFRS, Gordon enjoys sailing with his family, flying drones for fun and videography, playing guitar, piano, and banjo, and golfing.
