Dedrone, an anti-drone security startup, has raised $15 million in round B funding. The funding was led by Cisco Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: CSCO) boss, John Chambers. Felicis Ventures also made an enormous contribution.
Dedrone develops anti-drone security technologies. It works with other security agencies and companies in setting up sensors, cameras, and RF scanners on the ground and rooftops of given venues to intercept drones. Dedrone’s ventures can help protect stadiums, homes, data centers, government buildings and many other high profile areas against drone espionage.
Dedrone’s security product is only a year old. By the end of 2016, the company had more than 200 installations, according to the Dedrone’s CEO Jorg Lamprecht.
The funding raised will be used for research and development of anti-drone technology. Also, the funding will help Dedrone’s sales and marketing department.
Dedrone’s progress so far
Dedrone was founded by Lamprecht in 2014. The firm has its headquarters in San Francisco, but its production and research and development departments are in Kassel, Germany. After finalizing the first round funding, last year May, Dedrone partnered with Deutsche Telekom, Airbus and Singtel, in a deal that allows the partners to resell Dedrone’s technology.
Dedrone’s previous customers include the two presidential debates in 2016, the Royal Family of Qatar, the Suffolk County Prison, and the World Economic Forum that was held in Davos.
The security firm has attracted very high-profile investors- former president of Internet Security Systems, Tom Noonan; former CEO of Jajah & Amobeee, Trevor Healy; CEO of Aruba Networks, Dominic Orr; co-founder of Meraki, Hans Robertson; and CEO of Ruckus Wireless, Selina Lo, among others.
The future of Dedrone looks bright
Felicis Ventures and John Chambers are the main contributors to the second round. The managing director of Feleicis Ventures, Aydin Senkut, is optimistic about the investment. He said that his company invested in Dedrone’s technology because “drone security will be a top priority for businesses all around the world in the years to come.” He continued to explain that Dedrone’s counter-drone technology is the most advanced in the market, and the company is growing fast.
As Dedrone looks to expand its customer base, the company wants to focus on data centers. The CEO explained how vulnerable data centers are, through the skies. Data centers have armed guards on the ground, but “they need to watch the skies,” said Lampchert.
