Danny Ellis

Danny Ellis is the co-founder and former Chief Executive Officer of SkySpecs, a global leader in wind turbine inspection and asset management. In this role, Mr. Ellis oversaw the development and deployment of autonomous drone technology and AI-powered analytics to enable predictive maintenance at scale. He led the company’s fundraising efforts, securing more than $140 million in venture capital and private equity, and guided SkySpecs through three international acquisitions to expand its global footprint.

Prior to founding SkySpecs in 2012, Mr. Ellis earned both his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Michigan. He also participated in Techstars (2015) and was selected as an Endeavor Entrepreneur (2017). His leadership and innovation have been recognized by Forbes “30 Under 30,” Crain’s Detroit “40 Under 40,” and multiple Entrepreneur of the Year honors from EY and the Michigan Venture Capital Association.

After stepping down as CEO in 2025, Mr. Ellis began advising early-stage technology ventures with a focus on renewable energy, robotics, automation, and data analytics. He currently chairs the University of Michigan Robotics Advisory Board and frequently speaks on topics including industrial AI, autonomous systems, and entrepreneurial leadership.