About Us
MapAware was founded by Steve Livezey, a commercial drone pilot and technology leader with a mission to make professional drone mapping accessible to everyone.
Steve's journey into drone technology began with an unexpected win - a DJI Mini 4 Pro drone at a tech conference vendor raffle. What started as recreational flying quickly evolved into a passion for drone mapping, perfectly blending his lifelong connection to aviation with his extensive background in technology and software engineering.
Our Mission
MapAware represents Steve's commitment to make drone mapping technology available to everyone. By eliminating the complexity and cost barriers that have limited access to professional mapping tools, we're empowering drone operators and construction teams to work more efficiently, collaborate more effectively, and make better decisions.
The Beginning
The Problem That Sparked a Solution
As Steve learned more about the drone mapping industry, he became increasingly frustrated with the available technology solutions. The market forced an impossible choice: pay enterprise-level fees designed for Fortune 500 companies, or struggle with overly complex "free" tools that require technical expertise most drone pilots don't have.
Even more concerning, the construction companies receiving these maps faced their own challenges - expensive per-user licensing just to view and collaborate on the deliverables they were paying for.
A Veteran-Owned Solution
Armed with a career's worth of technology experience gained after graduating from West Point and serving as a U.S. Army Military Intelligence officer, Steve set about solving this industry-wide problem. His vision was simple: create a tool that's easy to use not only for drone operators, but for the construction teams who rely on the maps those operators create.
Growing up immersed in the aviation industry - where his father owned and operated avionics and aircraft completion businesses - Steve understood that the best technology solutions combine sophisticated capabilities with intuitive operation. This principle became the foundation of MapAware.