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Air Q began three and a half years ago in Masdar City with a bold vision and a belief that the future of aviation could be reimagined. At the heart of that vision was CTO and co-founder Igor Pongrac, whose deep expertise in automotive engineering pushed the technical boundaries from day one. As the concept began to take shape, CEO Dino Dedic stepped in to build the business around it — bringing structure, strategy, and a clear path to scale. While Dedic doesn’t come from a traditional technical background, his ability to see the bigger picture, drive execution, and turn an idea into a company has shaped the way Air Q operates today. Together, their combined strengths laid the foundation for Air Q’s engineering culture and business vision. Excerpts from an exclusive Q&A with The Gulf Time’s Arunima Mishra
ABU DHABI / GULF TIME
1. You’re a 35-year-old entrepreneur leading one of the most ambitious UAV startups in the region. What sparked your interest in aerospace and innovation, and what was your journey like before launching Air Q?
I’ve always been drawn to ambitious, high-impact industries — and aerospace is definitely one of them. While I don’t come from a traditional engineering background, I’ve spent my career building and scaling businesses in fast-moving environments.
When I was brought into Air Q, it wasn’t to invent the product — it was to build the business around a great idea and turn it into something real. That’s what drove me. The challenge wasn’t just about UAVs, it was about creating a structure, a vision, and a company that could actually deliver. That kind of pressure — where every decision counts — is where I’ve always felt at home.
2. Founding a startup in the aviation space isn’t easy. What were some of the biggest challenges you faced early on, and how did you overcome them?
With our co-founder Igor Pongrac and the fantastic team we’ve built, launching Air Q was more seamless than you might expect — but not without challenges. From the beginning, we knew we had something special: a truly unique concept that had the potential to disrupt the market and prove what we were capable of as a team.
The hardest part was doing everything for the first time — setting up the company from scratch, building the right team, adapting to a new country, and adjusting to the UAE’s heat. We came in as a small group from Europe, navigating unknowns. But we leaned on each other, moved fast, and focused on execution. That made all the difference.
Dino Dedic, CEO, Air Q
3. How would you describe your leadership style, and how has that shaped the culture at Air Q?
I wouldn’t say I follow any textbook leadership style. I do things my way, which often means taking risks and trusting my instincts. For me, leadership is about stepping up when decisions need to be made and ensuring the team feels supported and motivated to give their best.
My background is primarily in startups, where speed and efficiency are everything. You don’t have layers of management or months to plan. You build things from the ground up, and everyone’s hands-on. That mindset shaped Air Q’s culture from day one — it’s fast-paced, collaborative, and deeply personal. There’s no “that’s not my job” here. Everyone is giving their maximum. And the best reward? Seeing our product fly and watching customers get genuinely excited about it.
4. Your While you don’t come from a traditional technical background, how has your experience across different industries influenced your vision for UAV development and the direction of Air Q?
My previous journey shaped how I operate today. I’ve worked across several industries, which gave me a strong sense of business, strategy, and execution. When I stepped into the CEO role at Air Q, I didn’t know much about UAVs — but I understood how to build a business, identify opportunities, and bring the right people together.
My vision, consistency, and ability to get things moving made the team trust me in the CEO role. Every successful business relies on the same core principles: clarity, focus, hard work, and the right people. A good idea alone doesn’t mean much — you need a structure and a system to make it real. That’s what I brought to the table.
5. What sets Air Q apart in the UAV ecosystem, not just in terms of technology, mindset, and mission?
We get things done. That’s the mindset. We think, plan, and execute — and when we hit a challenge, we find a way to overcome it. Every hurdle we’ve faced has taught us something, and we’ve never stopped moving forward.
But beyond execution, our mission is clear: to localize and fully control every part of the UAV lifecycle. We want the UAE to have a one-stop shop for UAS — from design and development to manufacturing and deployment. That independence is vital to us, and we’re building toward it daily.
6. “HARARA”, your modular aircraft, is drawing attention. What’s the story behind the name, and how does the aircraft reflect your philosophy on design and innovation?
HARARA is our flagship—a unique VTOL aircraft that put us on the map. It brought us to Abu Dhabi, where investors saw the potential and decided to back us. The name HARARA — well, it came during one of our first flight tests. It was insanely hot, and a friend joked, “You should call it Harara,” like “heat” in Arabic. It stuck.
But more than the name, the aircraft itself reflects what we’re about—bold, modular design, full in-house development, and solving complex technical challenges with simplicity and elegance. We identified what was missing in the market and built it ourselves—a CAN gateway, power systems, and even our manufacturing. That’s how we innovate.
7. Abu Dhabi has become a hub for startups and smart mobility. How has this ecosystem supported Air Q’s growth, and what advice would you give to other founders looking to launch here?
I’ve lived in several countries, and I can say with full confidence that the UAE is the future, especially Abu Dhabi. The leadership here is visionary. They see things differently and build long-term, trust-based relationships. That trust fuels innovation. We brought over 50 people from abroad to join us here — and they didn’t just find jobs, they found a home. The lifestyle, ecosystem, and opportunities are on another level.
To other founders: give it a real chance. Don’t be quick to judge or think on the surface. Dig deeper — the opportunity here is massive if you’re ready to commit.
8. Air Q recently partnered with Tawazun Quality and Conformity. What does this mean for your roadmap toward aerospace certification and global expansion?
This partnership is a huge step forward. It gives us the framework and credibility for full certification and global compliance. More importantly, it shows that local institutions believe in our vision. With Tawazun’s support, we can accelerate our development and take our products to markets we’ve only dreamed of. It’s also a validation of our work — and a signal that we’re ready for the next level.
9. How do you balance innovation with regulation, especially as UAV policies evolve?
Regulation is not a blocker — it’s a structure. From day one, we knew we had to obey the rules, especially in aviation. So, we’ve built a strong internal compliance process and work closely with regulators, not against them. At the same time, we keep pushing innovation — but always with safety, reliability, and long-term vision. It’s about building trust with the ecosystem while still moving fast.
10. Where do you envision Air Q five years from now? And where do you see yourself in the next phase of your career?
Air Q will be the leading UAS company in the UAE — and a strong player in the region. Our strategy is to identify opportunities and deliver reliable, unique solutions. As an R&D company, we’ll continue pushing boundaries. As a production company, we’ll scale to meet demand.
We already produce most components in-house; if we don’t, we try to source locally to strengthen the UAE economy. Our goal is complete localization, and we’re moving fast in that direction.
So expect some big news soon — we’re just getting started.
As for me, in the next phase — I’m not going anywhere. I focus entirely on Air Q. This is not just a company I’m building — it’s a long-term mission I’ve committed to. I’m here to see it through, to grow with it, and to make sure we leave a real mark in the industry. Of course, the role might evolve as the company scales, but I’ll always be hands-on where it matters most. I’m in it for the long game.