Utah Business 2.42k George Matus is no stranger to seeking funds for his latest drone adventure. At age 12, he took a job as a test pilot for a drone manufacturer so he “wouldn’t have to do a lemonade stand to buy my next drone.” These days his company Teal Drones is one of several in Utah that does research and product development for the US military. Many Utah drone companies have used partnerships through various military programs to fund the basic R&D behind the products of their dreams. What began with access to some of Utah’s natural advantages, such as wide-open rangeland for product testing, has evolved into an ecosystem of researchers and companies building the next generation of drone technology. And while many of these cutting edge products are destined, first for the Air Force or the Marines, their producers have an eye toward eventual commercial applications as well.