San Diego-based airspace security and management company SkySafe has announced a $ 30 million Series B investment to accelerate growth. The Series B investment, led by Kingfisher Investment Advisors, “includes new investors Gaingels and MIT alumni investment fund Castor Ventures. The previous investor Andreessen Horowitz, who led the seed and Series A investments, has also joined the group, ”said a press release from the company. “To date, SkySafe has raised total funding of $ 45 million. The fresh capital will help accelerate the company’s growth through strategic recruitment, research and development, and expanded production of its airspace security system for commercial use. ”
Drone defense technology is based on a fundamental premise: detect, identify and mitigate. Over time, the systems became more sophisticated: But as legal commercial drone traffic increased, so did the need to differentiate between authorized and unauthorized drones.
SkySafe’s airspace security technology “is designed to use advanced radio technology, reverse engineering and in-depth threat analysis to provide the infrastructure required for the commercial drone industry,” the press release said. The modular hardware can be easily transported and tailored to the respective airspace.
According to the FAA, there are more than 900,000 drones registered in the United States today, with nearly 3.5 million drones currently in use in total. The global commercial drone market is projected to reach $ 58.4 billion in 2026.
“As our airspace becomes more crowded with drones, it is becoming increasingly difficult to ensure that those flying over our airports, stadiums, borders and other public spaces are authorized to be there,” said Grant Jordan, Founder and CEO of SkySafe. “SkySafe has developed an airspace awareness system for drones to provide visibility, accountability and ultimately safety. Without this drone infrastructure, it is difficult to build public trust and expand commercial exploitation. It’s critical to adoption as drones become increasingly vital tools for things like utility inspections, airline maintenance, deliveries, and aerial photography. “
“The interface between physical and cybersecurity is the Achilles’ heel of many companies. We believe that SkySafe’s proprietary technology enables public and private sector customers to detect and mitigate these business critical threats in real time, ”said SkySafe’s newly appointed board member Yariv Robinson, co-founder and managing partner of Kingfisher Investment Advisors. “The company has repeatedly proven that it can use its solutions quickly and efficiently with new customers. Kingfisher is excited to partner with SkySafe and believes the company has the potential to become the category-defining company in this important sector. “
As the 2018 Gatwick Airport incident demonstrated, speed and accuracy are critical to airspace management. When a hobby drone reached the airport limits, more than 1,000 flights were diverted or canceled and an estimated 140,000 passengers were affected in the two days it took to identify the potential threat. The incident caused panic, significant financial losses to the international airport and massive business disruptions. With SkySafe technology, the Gatwick incident could have been avoided entirely. What took days could have been solved in minutes.
“With drone policies and regulations still in development, commercial drone use will be prevented without the technology helping pave the way for widespread and safe adoption,” said Lisa Ellman, executive director of the Commercial Drone Alliance (CDA ) and partner at Hogan Liebling. “SkySafe has been an industry leader and has advanced the development of drone security policy.”
“Skysafe and Gaingels are on a mission to build a better ecosystem for private companies with more diversity and equity,” said Lorenzo Thione, Managing Director of Gaingels. “As Grant and his team build a global company with global ambitions, they are also building a global and connected culture and team that focuses on diversity.”
SkySafe technology is already used by a global customer base: the system is used in airports, prisons, stadiums, border patrols, law enforcement agencies and military facilities in more than 30 countries.
Miriam McNabb is the Editor-in-Chief of DRONELIFE and CEO of JobForDrones, a professional marketplace for drone services, and a passionate observer of the emerging drone industry and regulatory environment for drones. Miriam has written over 3,000 articles on the commercial drone field and is an international speaker and recognized figure in the industry. Miriam graduated from the University of Chicago and has over 20 years experience in high-tech sales and marketing for emerging technologies.
For advice or writing on the drone industry, email Miriam.
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