Asylon Raises $26M Series B with Robot Guard Dogs

Asylon Secures $26 Million in Series B Funding

Asylon, a robotics firm headquartered in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, has announced the completion of a $26 million Series B funding round. The investment was spearheaded by Insight Partners, with additional participation from Veteran Ventures Capital, Allegion Ventures, and the GO PA Fund.

From Drone Security to Robotic Solutions

Initially established as a drone technology provider focused on facility security, Asylon gained recognition for its innovative drone design featuring a robotic arm capable of autonomous battery replacement.

The company’s offerings have expanded to include DroneDog, a robotic guard dog service. This service leverages the Boston Dynamics Spot robot, modified for security applications and integrated with Asylon’s proprietary Guardian command-and-control software.

Robotic Security as a Service (RaaS)

Asylon delivers a comprehensive Robotic Security as a Service (RaaS) solution, combining drones, robotic dogs, and advanced software. This integrated approach provides enhanced security capabilities for various locations.

Sites can benefit from both aerial surveillance via drones and ground patrols conducted by robotic dogs, offering broader coverage than traditional stationary camera systems. DroneDogs are particularly suited for deployment in hazardous environments where human or animal personnel would be at risk.

These robotic units can also perform tasks analogous to those of trained canines, such as the detection of gas leaks or the presence of dangerous chemical substances.

Funding and Market Dynamics

Founded in 2015, Asylon has secured a total of approximately $45 million in funding, including prior investments of around $21 million and government grants. This recent Series B round represents a significant increase in capital compared to many other companies in the drone and robotics sectors, as stated by founder and CEO Damon Henry to TechCrunch.

Increased demand for executive and facility security, particularly following the December incident involving UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, has contributed to a rise in spending on solutions like DroneDog. The annual cost of Asylon’s RaaS is estimated to be between $100,000 and $150,000, comparable to the expense of employing a professional bodyguard service.

Company Origins and Growth

The company’s origins trace back to a chance encounter at a New York Tech Week event where CEO Damon Henry met with key investors. These investors were already aware of the growing trend in security expenditure.

Asylon was co-founded by Henry, along with Adam Mohamed (CTO) and Brent McLaughlin (COO), all of whom were dorm roommates during their time at MIT. Unlike typical Silicon Valley startups, the founders completed their degrees before pursuing their entrepreneurial venture.

Following graduation, they gained experience as aerospace engineers at prominent companies including GE Aviation, Boeing, and Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory.

Inspired by Amazon’s announcement of its drone delivery service in 2015, the three friends decided to leave their established careers and establish Asylon. Their first major client was secured in 2019: Ford.

Overcoming Early Challenges

In 2021, Asylon faced a critical moment when a drone malfunctioned and was destroyed during a live demonstration event. A significant group of Fortune 500 representatives were present to witness the demonstration.

Despite the setback, a dedicated employee drove overnight to deliver a replacement drone, allowing the team to successfully complete the demonstration.

“The system performed flawlessly throughout the entire day,” Henry recounted. “This success led directly to securing contracts with three additional Fortune 500 companies, and simultaneously, we were awarded our first contract with the Department of Defense.”

Current Status and Future Outlook

Since then, the founders have focused on the sustained growth of the company. Asylon currently employs 65 individuals and has deployed its systems in 15 states.