Kassel-based startup Dedrone has announced it has secured €2.7 million ($2.9 million) in growth capital funding for the world’s first professional civilian drone early-warning and detection system. The funding round was led by Munich-based venture capital firm Target Partners and also included private investments from successful American entrepreneur Tom Noonan (Internet Security Systems, JouleX) as well as serial entrepreneurs Jörg Lamprecht (Only Solutions, Cobion, Aibotix) and Rene Seeber (Only Solutions, Cobion, JouleX).
Founded in 2014 and headed by co-founder and CEO Dr. Ingo Seebach, Dedrone plans to use this infusion of capital to push ahead with the development of the DroneTracker system, build up an international distribution network and strengthen its team.
“The security market is a multi-billion Euro industry. However, existing systems simply cannot counteract the new threats posed by drones. Dedrone has an experienced, innovative founding team and considerable potential for global growth right from the very start,” explained Olaf Jacobi, a partner at Target Partners.
Given the mounting sales of hobby drones, which are estimated at 300,000 units per month, and their increased performance capabilities coupled with falling prices, the potential for misuse is set to grow significantly. This is evidenced by the large number of international incidents that have been reported in recent months, from mysterious drone flights over French nuclear plants to a drone with radioactive material found on Japanese Prime Minister’s office roof. As a result, there is a high demand for an efficient system that will protect against such threats. “Security experts around the world have to contend with entirely new challenges posed by civilian drones. Accordingly, we receive inquiries every day from prospective clients from Germany and around the world,” stated Dedrone CEO Seebach.
Together with well-known German clients, including prisons, companies in the automotive industry and alarm systems installers. Dedrone is currently developing the DroneTracker to be launched on the market. The first systems will be delivered in April.
Drone Incidents
- Drone with radioactive material found on Japanese Prime Minister’s office roof http://edition.cnn.com/2015/04/22/asia/japan-prime-minister-rooftop-drone
- ‘A dozen’ drones fly over Paris in latest mystery sighting http://www.france24.com/en/20150304-dozen-drones-fly-over-paris-latest-sighting-france/
- Drones smuggle contraband over prison walls http://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/23/us/drones-smuggle-contraband-over-prison-walls.html?_r=1
Videos
- DroneTracker in action: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xw6KJdnvoC0
- Dedrone your Prison: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9yUtECQII-Q
