National Air and Space Museum
Grant in 2023
The National Air and Space Museum of the Smithsonian Institution has the world's biggest and most significant collection of aviation and space objects, including all aspects of human flight, as well as associated works of art and archive materials. It operates two iconic facilities that accommodate more than eight million visitors every year, making it the country's most visited museum. The Center for Earth and Planetary Studies is also housed there.
Xona Space Systems
Grant in 2022
Xona Space Systems, Inc. specializes in developing and manufacturing position, navigation, and timing (PNT) satellite solutions. Founded in 2019 and headquartered in San Mateo, California, the company is focused on creating a constellation of low-cost, low-Earth orbiting satellites designed to enhance navigation for various applications, including autonomous vehicles, unmanned aerial vehicles, and mobile robotics. Their flagship product, the Xona Pulsar, delivers high-power signals from low Earth orbit, ensuring secure and accurate navigation and timing services. This innovative approach aims to meet the demands of smart transportation and smart infrastructure, providing the resilience and precision necessary for modern intelligent systems to operate safely and efficiently at scale.
RaySecur Inc., based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, develops advanced 3D package scanning and imaging devices designed to detect concealed threats, including powders, solids, liquids, and chemical, biological, radiological, and explosive materials. Founded in 2018, the company offers the MailSecur system, which utilizes innovative millimeter-wave technology to provide real-time imaging and threat detection that surpasses traditional X-ray systems. RaySecur’s portable and easy-to-use devices require minimal training for mail screening and can fit in small mailrooms without the need for secure screening areas. Their technology is capable of identifying tiny quantities of substances, making it suitable for use by Fortune 500 companies and government organizations worldwide, ensuring the safety of personnel and critical assets.
Voltela specializes in connectivity assurance for commercial drones, facilitating their operation beyond visual line of sight. The company develops communication technologies and scalable platforms that ensure guaranteed connectivity for autonomous vehicles. By utilizing a patent-pending system that transmits data through voice channels in mobile networks, Voltela offers prioritized links with low latency. This innovation enables drone operators to navigate safely while relying on existing communication services, thereby supporting the growth and scalability of the drone industry.
Two Bears Environmental Consulting
Grant in 2021
Two Bears Environmental Consulting, founded in 2015 and based in Anchorage, Alaska, specializes in providing environmental services that assess the impact of climate change on various projects. The company produces climate impact statements that evaluate environmental influences and projected climate scenarios, helping clients understand potential risks. Additionally, Two Bears assists in securing grants from government and organizational sources, and offers unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) services for drone-based data collection. This combination of services helps ensure regulatory compliance and promotes sustainable practices among businesses.
Epirus, Inc. is a technology company based in Hawthorne, California, specializing in the design and development of advanced defense systems that utilize artificial intelligence and directed energy. Founded in 2018, the company focuses on creating solid-state, software-defined high-power microwave solutions aimed at countering unmanned aircraft systems and other asymmetric threats. Its flagship product, ELECTROMAGNETIC PULSE, serves as a counter-infrastructure solution that can simultaneously target multiple threats, effectively neutralizing drones and swarms. By integrating AI and machine learning with advanced electronics, Epirus enhances the detection and tracking of objects of interest, offering innovative capabilities in electronic warfare and power management for both defense and commercial sectors.
SubUAS specializes in the development of unmanned aerial and underwater vehicles that are capable of operating in challenging weather and underwater conditions. These vehicles are designed to carry a variety of sensors tailored to specific missions, allowing clients to perform tasks such as inspection, reconnaissance, and payload delivery efficiently and cost-effectively. By leveraging advanced technology, SubUAS aims to enhance operational capabilities for its clients across various sectors, providing solutions that address the complexities of both air and water applications.
Revolute Robotics
Non Equity Assistance in 2021
Revolute Robotics specializes in the development of hybrid ground and aerial robots tailored for indoor inspection and surveillance purposes. Their flagship product, the Hybrid Mobility Robot (HMR), is engineered with a crash-proof shell that enables it to navigate confined and complex environments. This innovative design allows the robot to roll on the ground, significantly extending its operational time while optimizing maneuverability in tight spaces. By combining aerial and ground capabilities, Revolute Robotics provides clients with the ability to collect valuable data and insights across various industries, facilitating informed decision-making where traditional methods may fall short.
Rotoye is a technology developer and researcher specializing in multirotor and avionics systems, established in 2017 and located in Marietta, Georgia. The company focuses on advancing aviation and aerospace component manufacturing by providing a range of electronics and battery accessories. These offerings enable clients to design and construct innovative mobile robotics and electronic drones, contributing to the evolution of the aerospace industry.
BirdHabitatBot
Grant in 2021
BirdHabitatBot specializes in developing robotic systems aimed at eliminating invasive plant species from natural environments. The company utilizes drones equipped with unpiloted aerial systems to capture images that facilitate the mapping, monitoring, and removal of non-native invasive plants in deciduous forests. These invasive species pose a serious threat to forest habitats, leading to the degradation of ecosystems. By providing natural resource professionals with advanced tools to manage understory invasive shrubs, BirdHabitatBot enhances the ability to restore and maintain habitats for native plants and wildlife.
Comon provides species identification, ecological monitoring, and geological assessment services. They offer unpiloted aerial systems' images for mapping, monitoring, and identifying rare and invasive species and provide reports on water loggers, soil samples, temperature, historic weather, and tidal data, enabling natural resource managers and conservation organizations to determine practices for sites.
GreenSight Agronomics, Inc., established in 2015 and headquartered in Brookline, Massachusetts, specializes in manufacturing drones tailored for turfgrass and agricultural applications. The company operates a cloud-based platform that integrates automated drone systems, advanced sensors, and data analytics to provide actionable insights for land managers. GreenSight's services include plant health monitoring, irrigation management, crop protection, and labor management, primarily serving the golf course industry with potential savings of over $1 billion annually through water reduction alone. The company aims to expand its services to other agricultural sectors, such as farms and energy infrastructure, using its advanced sensor technology and autonomous drone capabilities.
SeaDrone specializes in reducing the costs associated with subsea infrastructure inspections through the use of innovative robotic hardware and mobile software. Their platform includes an aerial drone system specifically designed for underwater observation and filming, allowing professionals to conduct inspections efficiently and effectively. By leveraging low-cost technology, SeaDrone provides a comprehensive underwater visual inspection service that streamlines the inspection process for various industries.
Drone Amplified
Grant in 2020
Drone Amplified, Inc. specializes in fire ignition management through innovative drone technology. The company has developed IGNIS, a system that integrates with drones to carry chemical spheres capable of initiating a controlled fire upon deployment. This technology aims to improve the safety and efficiency of fire management practices, offering a more affordable alternative to traditional helicopter methods. By serving landowners, public wildlands, and federal and state agencies, Drone Amplified enhances control over prescribed burns while significantly reducing risks to personnel involved in fire management. Incorporated in 2017 and based in Lincoln, Nebraska, the company is committed to advancing fire management solutions through its cutting-edge drone systems.
Revolute Robotics
Non Equity Assistance in 2020
Revolute Robotics specializes in the development of hybrid ground and aerial robots tailored for indoor inspection and surveillance purposes. Their flagship product, the Hybrid Mobility Robot (HMR), is engineered with a crash-proof shell that enables it to navigate confined and complex environments. This innovative design allows the robot to roll on the ground, significantly extending its operational time while optimizing maneuverability in tight spaces. By combining aerial and ground capabilities, Revolute Robotics provides clients with the ability to collect valuable data and insights across various industries, facilitating informed decision-making where traditional methods may fall short.
Volant Aerial
Grant in 2020
Volant Aerial specializes in an advanced aerial monitoring platform that integrates drones, computer vision, and IoT technology. This platform is designed to provide critical data and insights for various applications, such as early detection of forest fires, security surveillance, crop analysis, construction oversight, workforce management, inventory tracking, port monitoring, wildlife management, and natural disaster response. The system consists of a network of autonomously operating hardware components, including drones, aerostats, and strategically positioned towers equipped with high-powered RGB and thermal cameras. Additionally, it features aerial and ground sensors that monitor a wide range of variables, enabling users to access and control the system remotely via an Internet connection.
Xona Space Systems
Grant in 2020
Xona Space Systems, Inc. specializes in developing and manufacturing position, navigation, and timing (PNT) satellite solutions. Founded in 2019 and headquartered in San Mateo, California, the company is focused on creating a constellation of low-cost, low-Earth orbiting satellites designed to enhance navigation for various applications, including autonomous vehicles, unmanned aerial vehicles, and mobile robotics. Their flagship product, the Xona Pulsar, delivers high-power signals from low Earth orbit, ensuring secure and accurate navigation and timing services. This innovative approach aims to meet the demands of smart transportation and smart infrastructure, providing the resilience and precision necessary for modern intelligent systems to operate safely and efficiently at scale.
Two Bears Environmental Consulting
Grant in 2020
Two Bears Environmental Consulting, founded in 2015 and based in Anchorage, Alaska, specializes in providing environmental services that assess the impact of climate change on various projects. The company produces climate impact statements that evaluate environmental influences and projected climate scenarios, helping clients understand potential risks. Additionally, Two Bears assists in securing grants from government and organizational sources, and offers unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) services for drone-based data collection. This combination of services helps ensure regulatory compliance and promotes sustainable practices among businesses.
OAM Photonics
Grant in 2020
OAM Photonics specializes in photonic sensing solutions that leverage the orbital angular momentum of light for 3D imaging applications. The company's technology is particularly relevant for industries such as autonomous driving, drone navigation, and robotics. OAM Photonics develops photonic integrated circuits and coherent optical systems, enhancing sensing and imaging capabilities. Currently, the company operates in stealth mode, indicating a focus on research and development to refine its innovative offerings.
Parallel Flight Technologies
Grant in 2020
Parallel Flight Technologies is focused on developing advanced drone technology aimed at enhancing safety and efficiency in various applications. The company specializes in designing heavy-lift unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) that utilize proprietary parallel hybrid technology. This innovative approach includes a unique feature that allows drones to maintain flight stability in the event of engine failures, thereby improving safety for large unmanned systems. Through its technology, Parallel Flight Technologies aims to contribute positively to society by saving lives, protecting property, and benefiting the environment.
Akrobotix is a research and product development startup that specializes in autonomous systems and robotics technology across various domains, including space, air, land, and sea. The company has developed an autopilot system tailored for fully autonomous unmanned aerial, ground, and marine vehicles. By integrating multi-modal situational awareness information, Akrobotix creates reliable and reproducible mission plans specific to various applications. This technology aims to enhance operational safety and efficiency, providing businesses with mission planning software that is focused on industry-specific needs.
RaySecur Inc., based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, develops advanced 3D package scanning and imaging devices designed to detect concealed threats, including powders, solids, liquids, and chemical, biological, radiological, and explosive materials. Founded in 2018, the company offers the MailSecur system, which utilizes innovative millimeter-wave technology to provide real-time imaging and threat detection that surpasses traditional X-ray systems. RaySecur’s portable and easy-to-use devices require minimal training for mail screening and can fit in small mailrooms without the need for secure screening areas. Their technology is capable of identifying tiny quantities of substances, making it suitable for use by Fortune 500 companies and government organizations worldwide, ensuring the safety of personnel and critical assets.
Airgility specializes in the design and manufacture of unmanned aerial systems, focusing on advanced drone technology. Their product lineup includes the DS-1 Minotaur and solutions for counter-drone operations and perimeter defense. These artificially intelligent drones are capable of operating in confined spaces where GPS signals may be weak or unavailable, allowing clients to obtain real-time information. This capability enhances decision-making during critical situations, such as disaster response or various inspection and assessment tasks. Airgility addresses customer inquiries through multiple channels, including phone, email, and online applications.
Squishy Robotics
Grant in 2019
Squishy Robotics Inc., founded in 2017 and based in Berkeley, California, specializes in developing mobile sensing robots designed for disaster rescue, remote monitoring, and space exploration. These robots, characterized by their shape-shifting, tensegrity structures, are lightweight, cost-effective, and capable of traversing challenging terrains. They are equipped with a range of sensors, including visual, audio, chemical, biological, radiological, and GPS, enabling them to provide crucial situational awareness and sensor data to first responders in hazardous environments. The company's primary focus is on the HazMat and CBRNE response market, where their technology enhances safety and efficiency in emergency situations. Squishy Robotics envisions future applications for its customizable platform, which may extend to scientific monitoring, delivery services, smart home appliances, and educational tools for various audiences including students and hobbyists.
IntelinAir, Inc. is an aerial imagery analytics company based in San Jose, California, focused on providing technology solutions for the agriculture sector. Founded in 2014, the company specializes in delivering actionable intelligence from aerial data, enabling farmers to make data-driven decisions that enhance operational efficiency and increase crop yields. IntelinAir's SafeSmart technology offers precision flight and data analysis capabilities, with products including the SafeSmart RD-100 and RD-200 UAVs, which serve as flexible platforms for academic research and development. The company's interactive crop intelligence platform provides comprehensive field views, prioritizes monitoring needs, and facilitates timely reviews, empowering farmers and agricultural retailers to protect yield potential and identify sustainability opportunities throughout the growing season.
Rotoye is a technology developer and researcher specializing in multirotor and avionics systems, established in 2017 and located in Marietta, Georgia. The company focuses on advancing aviation and aerospace component manufacturing by providing a range of electronics and battery accessories. These offerings enable clients to design and construct innovative mobile robotics and electronic drones, contributing to the evolution of the aerospace industry.
Drone Amplified
Grant in 2019
Drone Amplified, Inc. specializes in fire ignition management through innovative drone technology. The company has developed IGNIS, a system that integrates with drones to carry chemical spheres capable of initiating a controlled fire upon deployment. This technology aims to improve the safety and efficiency of fire management practices, offering a more affordable alternative to traditional helicopter methods. By serving landowners, public wildlands, and federal and state agencies, Drone Amplified enhances control over prescribed burns while significantly reducing risks to personnel involved in fire management. Incorporated in 2017 and based in Lincoln, Nebraska, the company is committed to advancing fire management solutions through its cutting-edge drone systems.
Manifold Robotics
Grant in 2019
Manifold Robotics specializes in developing advanced drone technology that enhances safety and simplifies operations in complex environments. The company focuses on creating technical payloads that utilize electromagnetic fields (EMF) from power lines as a navigational aid, allowing drones to navigate autonomously along electric utility rights-of-way. This innovative approach enables automated power line inspections, significantly improving efficiency and reducing costs by up to 50%. By facilitating beyond visual line-of-sight (BVLOS) flight, Manifold Robotics provides practical solutions that enhance the operational capabilities of drones, making them safer and more effective for various industries.
Reconstruct, Inc. specializes in predictive computer vision data analytics software tailored for construction projects. Its visual production management platform facilitates data collection through drones, fixed cameras, or mobile devices, enabling effective progress analysis and documentation. By visualizing images and 3D points aligned with Building Information Modeling (BIM), the platform enhances coordination and transparency among project stakeholders. It identifies locations at risk of delays, allowing for proactive weekly work planning, and integrates schedules with BIM animations to illustrate any changes in plans. Founded in 2016 and headquartered in Menlo Park, California, with an additional office in Champaign, Illinois, Reconstruct aims to improve construction management by fostering better communication and visibility, thereby mitigating risks and ensuring project returns on investment.
Resonant Link
Grant in 2018
Resonant Link LLC, founded in 2017 and based in Shelburne, Vermont, specializes in the development of advanced wireless charging solutions utilizing innovative coil technology. The company's signature product, the multi-layer self-resonant structure (MSRS), enhances the efficiency and performance of wireless power systems. Serving diverse industries including robotics, drones, and electric vehicles, Resonant Link aims to deliver wireless power solutions that are fast, safe, and reliable. By eliminating costly components found in traditional wireless chargers, Resonant Link's technology not only improves efficiency but also reduces the size, weight, and overall cost of charging systems. This enables a wide range of applications, from large industrial vehicles to compact medical devices.
Aware Vehicles
Grant in 2018
Aware Vehicles, founded in 2017 and based in Kansas City, Missouri, specializes in the development of autonomous drones that capture and analyze spectral aerial images. These drones leverage advanced imaging technology and artificial intelligence to serve various sectors, including precision agriculture, defense, disaster response, logistics, and infrastructure. By providing precise asset inspections and enhancing emergency response and communication capabilities, Aware Vehicles aims to meet the diverse needs of its clients through innovative aerial solutions.
Lunewave Inc. is a manufacturer based in Tucson, Arizona, specializing in Luneburg lens-based antennas and automotive radar sensor systems. Founded in 2017, the company serves various sectors, including telecommunications, aerospace and defense, automotive, and specialized research. Lunewave develops advanced, three-dimensional printed Luneburg lens antennas and radar systems tailored for applications in autonomous driving, wireless communications, and drone technology. Its products feature custom-made antennas available in various sizes and operating frequencies, designed to meet specific customer needs. The sensors are characterized by their compact, robust design, offering high resolution, all-directional fields of view, and long detection ranges.
Planck Aerosystems
Grant in 2018
Planck Aerosystems Inc. is an autonomous drone company based in San Diego, California, founded in 2014. It specializes in developing innovative drone-based surveillance software named Shearwater, which is designed for various applications including survey and mapping, emergency response, safety and surveillance, and scientific research. The company integrates artificial intelligence into its drone technology, enabling advanced capabilities such as vision-based navigation and control. This technology allows drones to autonomously launch and land on moving vehicles and vessels, significantly enhancing operational applications in sectors such as security, defense, maritime, and logistics. Planck Aerosystems primarily serves government agencies and industrial maritime operators, providing them with cutting-edge solutions for drone autonomy and mobility.
Squishy Robotics
Grant in 2017
Squishy Robotics Inc., founded in 2017 and based in Berkeley, California, specializes in developing mobile sensing robots designed for disaster rescue, remote monitoring, and space exploration. These robots, characterized by their shape-shifting, tensegrity structures, are lightweight, cost-effective, and capable of traversing challenging terrains. They are equipped with a range of sensors, including visual, audio, chemical, biological, radiological, and GPS, enabling them to provide crucial situational awareness and sensor data to first responders in hazardous environments. The company's primary focus is on the HazMat and CBRNE response market, where their technology enhances safety and efficiency in emergency situations. Squishy Robotics envisions future applications for its customizable platform, which may extend to scientific monitoring, delivery services, smart home appliances, and educational tools for various audiences including students and hobbyists.
AutoModality
Grant in 2017
AutoModality Inc. is a company that specializes in developing flight control software for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), enabling them to operate autonomously in environments where GPS signals are unavailable. Founded in 2014 and based in Syracuse, New York, AutoModality manufactures drone platforms that utilize off-the-shelf components to facilitate automated inspections. Their technology is particularly focused on the agriculture and infrastructure sectors, allowing for close-up inspections of structures such as bridges, culverts, rolling stock, and cell towers. The company's advanced navigation software and integrated sensors enable drones to approach inspection sites closely, providing real-time quality streaming from onboard cameras to handheld devices. This capability allows users to gather critical data in challenging locations that are often difficult to access. AutoModality is also recognized for its innovative contributions to the drone industry, exemplified by Team Autero, which won the 2016 DJI SDK Challenge.
Advanced Ceramics Manufacturing
Grant in 2017
Advanced Ceramics Research, Inc., a Tucson, Arizona-based producer of small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) and advanced ceramic materials.
Planck Aerosystems
Grant in 2016
Planck Aerosystems Inc. is an autonomous drone company based in San Diego, California, founded in 2014. It specializes in developing innovative drone-based surveillance software named Shearwater, which is designed for various applications including survey and mapping, emergency response, safety and surveillance, and scientific research. The company integrates artificial intelligence into its drone technology, enabling advanced capabilities such as vision-based navigation and control. This technology allows drones to autonomously launch and land on moving vehicles and vessels, significantly enhancing operational applications in sectors such as security, defense, maritime, and logistics. Planck Aerosystems primarily serves government agencies and industrial maritime operators, providing them with cutting-edge solutions for drone autonomy and mobility.
Lunewave Inc. is a manufacturer based in Tucson, Arizona, specializing in Luneburg lens-based antennas and automotive radar sensor systems. Founded in 2017, the company serves various sectors, including telecommunications, aerospace and defense, automotive, and specialized research. Lunewave develops advanced, three-dimensional printed Luneburg lens antennas and radar systems tailored for applications in autonomous driving, wireless communications, and drone technology. Its products feature custom-made antennas available in various sizes and operating frequencies, designed to meet specific customer needs. The sensors are characterized by their compact, robust design, offering high resolution, all-directional fields of view, and long detection ranges.
Qelzal Corporation, based in La Jolla, California, specializes in developing advanced artificial intelligence-driven systems for object and activity recognition. The company's product offerings include the Perception Appliance, which enhances the capabilities of autonomous vehicles and robots, and an image-free sensing system that utilizes brain-inspired artificial intelligence. Qelzal's technology significantly improves the safety and efficiency of commercial drones, enabling them to fly autonomously in near-earth environments without the risk of collisions. The company's solutions target various sectors, including building automation, security, mobile robotics, and autonomous vehicles. Incorporated in 2014, Qelzal is committed to advancing obstacle avoidance systems and fostering innovation in the realm of autonomous technology.
Digital Dream Labs
Grant in 2016
Digital Dream Labs is an educational technology company based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, founded in 2012. It specializes in creating hands-on learning products designed for children aged 4 to 9, focusing on engaging and interactive experiences. The company's offerings include language- and system-agnostic designs that enable pre-readers to interact seamlessly with both digital environments and various devices, such as educational robots, smart speakers, and drones. By blending play with learning, Digital Dream Labs aims to foster children's interest in education through innovative technology.
Tarsier Optics
Grant in 2016
Tarsier Optics specializes in advanced imaging technology, focusing on the development of quantum cameras that deliver high-resolution, noise-free images. The company's innovative image processing technique allows for effective long-range imaging, making it particularly suitable for military applications, including vehicles, aircraft, and drones. By utilizing lightweight lenses, Tarsier Optics enhances the clarity and quality of images, helping clients achieve a strategic advantage in various operational scenarios. This capability addresses challenges such as distortion from heat haze turbulence, ensuring that users obtain reliable and precise imagery in demanding environments.
IntelinAir, Inc. is an aerial imagery analytics company based in San Jose, California, focused on providing technology solutions for the agriculture sector. Founded in 2014, the company specializes in delivering actionable intelligence from aerial data, enabling farmers to make data-driven decisions that enhance operational efficiency and increase crop yields. IntelinAir's SafeSmart technology offers precision flight and data analysis capabilities, with products including the SafeSmart RD-100 and RD-200 UAVs, which serve as flexible platforms for academic research and development. The company's interactive crop intelligence platform provides comprehensive field views, prioritizes monitoring needs, and facilitates timely reviews, empowering farmers and agricultural retailers to protect yield potential and identify sustainability opportunities throughout the growing season.
SkySpecs, Inc. is a technology company based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, with an additional office in Amsterdam, Netherlands, that specializes in automating operations and maintenance for the wind energy industry through unmanned aerial vehicles. Founded in 2012, the company provides a range of services including analytics, wind turbine blade services, and engineering projects. Its offerings also encompass collaborative software solutions for managing and analyzing data from various sources, as well as digitization and planning for repair campaigns. Notably, SkySpecs has developed Horizon, a reporting software that serves as a central repository for operations and maintenance data related to wind turbine blades, facilitating task management, communication with third parties, and execution of large-scale repair projects. By leveraging its industry expertise and innovative technologies, SkySpecs aims to enhance productivity and efficiency for its clients within the renewable energy sector.
Advanced Ceramics Manufacturing
Grant in 2014
Advanced Ceramics Research, Inc., a Tucson, Arizona-based producer of small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) and advanced ceramic materials.
LaunchPoint Technologies, established in 2020 and based in Goleta, California, specializes in the development and manufacturing of advanced electric and hybrid-electric propulsion systems, along with power transmission equipment. The company caters to the aerospace, defense, and power generation industries, offering innovative, software-controlled solutions for various applications, including drones, air mobility, and electric flight systems.
Advanced Ceramics Manufacturing
Grant in 2012
Advanced Ceramics Research, Inc., a Tucson, Arizona-based producer of small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) and advanced ceramic materials.