National Science Foundation

The National Science Foundation (NSF) is an independent federal agency established in 1950 and based in Alexandria, Virginia. It is dedicated to supporting research and education in science and engineering across a wide range of disciplines. The NSF provides significant non-dilutive funding, up to $1.5 million, to startups and small businesses through its America's Seed Fund initiative, which is part of the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program mandated by Congress. With an operating budget of approximately $7.8 billion, the NSF is committed to advancing fundamental research and education, thus fostering innovation and technological development in the United States.

James Donlon

Program Director

Debasis Majumdar

Program Director

Graciela Narcho

Staff Associate

Sethuraman Panchanathan

Director

Past deals in Surveillance

Circle Optics

Grant in 2022
Circle Optics, Inc. specializes in developing innovative camera technology that enables real-time, high-definition virtual reality video. Its parallax-free camera utilizes multiple polygonal lenses to capture panoramic images seamlessly, eliminating the need for image stitching. This technology serves a variety of sectors, including aerospace, autonomous systems, and entertainment. By providing an accurate representation of scenes without post-processing, Circle Optics enhances the delivery of critical resources, ensures safety in aerospace applications, improves surveillance capabilities, and transforms immersive experiences for content creators.

Epirus

Grant in 2021
Epirus, Inc. is a company focused on developing advanced defense technologies that utilize artificial intelligence and directed energy systems. Based in Hawthorne, California, it specializes in solid-state, software-defined high-power microwave systems designed to counter unmanned aircraft and other asymmetric threats. The company's flagship product, ELECTROMAGNETIC PULSE, functions as a drone countermeasure by delivering multiple beams simultaneously, effectively disrupting and neutralizing aerial threats. Additionally, Epirus employs AI and computer vision to enhance its capabilities in detecting and tracking various targets of interest. Founded in 2018, Epirus aims to provide innovative solutions for both national security and commercial applications, optimizing power management and efficiency in electronic warfare scenarios.

Revolute Robotics

Non Equity Assistance in 2021
Revolute Robotics builds inspection and surveillance robots to collect data where never before possible. The company's Hybrid Mobility Robot (HMR) can safely fly in confined spaces and drive to multiply operating time.

Revolute Robotics

Non Equity Assistance in 2020
Revolute Robotics builds inspection and surveillance robots to collect data where never before possible. The company's Hybrid Mobility Robot (HMR) can safely fly in confined spaces and drive to multiply operating time.

Pekosoft

Grant in 2020
Pekosoft specializes in adaptive optical measurement and survey technology. The company was founded by visionary engineers with more than 40 years of combined experience who enjoy developing products with an entrepreneurial spirit.

PhotonLab

Grant in 2019
PhotonLab develops photosensor technology for light detection and radiation monitoring. The company was founded in 2015 by Daniel Ferenc and has its headquarters in Davis, California.

FireHUD

Grant in 2019
FireHUD provides a monitoring system intended to improve situational awareness. The company has been providing easy-to-use products for improving the decision making of teams since its founding in 2016.

Airgility

Grant in 2019
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.

Steel City Optronics

Grant in 2019
Public safety is one of the largest concerns faced by governments and security agencies as public and private places become targets for attacks. The detection and mitigation of potential threats in real time are essential to security and public safety. Steel City Optronics has developed a new camera that detects concealed weapons and explosives from almost any distance, on subjects in motion — before they become dangerous to people and property. This fast and thorough security screening of moving objects is a crucial ability in today’s rapidly globalizing, fast-paced world. Metal detectors and security checkpoints are no longer sufficient to ensure public safety. Too often, dangerous threats are simply not detected by these traditional safety precautions, leaving people and property at risk. Since many recent threats have targeted public access areas ahead of the security checkpoints, a better security solution is clearly necessary. Explosives and weapons that people are carrying, while in motion, currently go largely undetected in real-world situations. Steel City Optronics addresses these, and other, issues with our state-of-the-art millimeter wave security camera. In addition to security monitoring for public safety, our cameras can see through common obscurants like smoke, fog, dust, and rain, making them ideal for situational awareness, object avoidance, and navigation.

BioInfoExperts

Grant in 2018
BioInfoExperts specializes in comprehensive molecular surveillance services aimed at understanding infectious disease dynamics and monitoring pathogens. The company offers a range of services, including genomic sequencing, RNA and DNA extraction, data analytics, and cloud-based data visualization. These services are designed to support clients in researching and developing various diagnostic tests while providing essential laboratory capabilities. Through its expertise, BioInfoExperts contributes to advancements in the field of infectious disease management and pathogen tracking.

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.

FireHUD

Grant in 2018
FireHUD provides a monitoring system intended to improve situational awareness. The company has been providing easy-to-use products for improving the decision making of teams since its founding in 2016.

AutoModality

Grant in 2017
AutoModality is dedicated to creating autonomous mobile systems that sense, explore, and analyze the world around us. They provide technology and services for automated close-up inspection using drones and are currently focused on the Agriculture and Infrastructure inspection markets. AutoModality is also the home of Team Autero, the winner of the 2016 DJI SDK Challenge.

Steel City Optronics

Grant in 2017
Public safety is one of the largest concerns faced by governments and security agencies as public and private places become targets for attacks. The detection and mitigation of potential threats in real time are essential to security and public safety. Steel City Optronics has developed a new camera that detects concealed weapons and explosives from almost any distance, on subjects in motion — before they become dangerous to people and property. This fast and thorough security screening of moving objects is a crucial ability in today’s rapidly globalizing, fast-paced world. Metal detectors and security checkpoints are no longer sufficient to ensure public safety. Too often, dangerous threats are simply not detected by these traditional safety precautions, leaving people and property at risk. Since many recent threats have targeted public access areas ahead of the security checkpoints, a better security solution is clearly necessary. Explosives and weapons that people are carrying, while in motion, currently go largely undetected in real-world situations. Steel City Optronics addresses these, and other, issues with our state-of-the-art millimeter wave security camera. In addition to security monitoring for public safety, our cameras can see through common obscurants like smoke, fog, dust, and rain, making them ideal for situational awareness, object avoidance, and navigation.

PhotonLab

Grant in 2017
PhotonLab develops photosensor technology for light detection and radiation monitoring. The company was founded in 2015 by Daniel Ferenc and has its headquarters in Davis, California.

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.

Qelzal

Grant in 2016
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.

BioInfoExperts

Grant in 2016
BioInfoExperts specializes in comprehensive molecular surveillance services aimed at understanding infectious disease dynamics and monitoring pathogens. The company offers a range of services, including genomic sequencing, RNA and DNA extraction, data analytics, and cloud-based data visualization. These services are designed to support clients in researching and developing various diagnostic tests while providing essential laboratory capabilities. Through its expertise, BioInfoExperts contributes to advancements in the field of infectious disease management and pathogen tracking.

Lite Enterprises

Grant in 2014
Lite Enterprises uses in applications include aquaculture, agriculture, cell phone and broadcast towers, wind turbines, and solar farms, protecting wildlife from toxic waste zones. They offer cameras with motion detection capabilities, and a wireless mesh network allows remote access and control.

Vaporsens

Grant in 2014
Vaporsens, is developing a detector to help law enforcement, military, and public safety officials "sniff" out explosives and narcotics. The detector uses their patent pending sensor that is more sensitive and selective than any other on the market.

Numerica Corporation

Grant in 2013
Numerica Corporation specializes in tracking and data fusion services for the space, air, and missile defense sectors. The company focuses on distributed tracking and multi-sensor fusion to address threats and sensor modalities associated with moving platforms. Additionally, Numerica's Space Domain Awareness initiatives involve the detection, tracking, identification, and characterization of various factors within the space domain that could influence space operations, thereby impacting national and allied security, safety, economy, and environment. Through these services, Numerica aims to provide effective solutions that enhance operational capabilities for its customers.

Xandem

Grant in 2013
Xandem is a technology company that specializes in motion tracking technology. The company offers Xandem, a system that detects and locates the movement of people. Its mobile application allows its users to monitor the motion in real-time, and can take actions based on certain events such as sounding alarms, locking down facility, and etc. The company’s technology senses through walls and furniture. It covers entire spaces to give security, monitoring, smarter automation, and safer elder care. Xandem was founded in 2010 and is headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah.

InView Technology

Grant in 2013
InView Technology Corporation, founded in 2009 and based in Austin, Texas, specializes in the development and manufacturing of compressive sensing-based imaging and hyperspectral imaging products. The company's offerings include shortwave and midwave infrared cameras, hyperspectral imagers, and CompressView software, which aids in managing the setup, capture, and processing of imaging data. Their technologies find applications across various sectors, including microscopy, life sciences, military and surveillance, maritime operations, industrial process control, food and pharmaceutical inspection, energy audits, and material research. InView Technology's innovations enable detailed imaging and spectral analysis, providing critical insights for diverse industries.

Xandem

Grant in 2013
Xandem is a technology company that specializes in motion tracking technology. The company offers Xandem, a system that detects and locates the movement of people. Its mobile application allows its users to monitor the motion in real-time, and can take actions based on certain events such as sounding alarms, locking down facility, and etc. The company’s technology senses through walls and furniture. It covers entire spaces to give security, monitoring, smarter automation, and safer elder care. Xandem was founded in 2010 and is headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Vaporsens

Grant in 2012
Vaporsens, is developing a detector to help law enforcement, military, and public safety officials "sniff" out explosives and narcotics. The detector uses their patent pending sensor that is more sensitive and selective than any other on the market.

Daylight Solutions

Grant in 2012
Daylight Solutions, Inc. manufactures molecular detection and imaging instruments for the medical diagnostics, homeland security, military, and industrial/environmental monitoring applications. The company also manufactures tunable lasers and tiny tunables for original equipment manufacture and scientific applications. It offers solutions for non-invasive medical diagnostics, medical imaging, and drug discovery applications in biomedical field; for detection and alert applications in military markets; for detection applications in homeland security market; and for process monitoring and leak detection applications in industrial market. Daylight Solutions, Inc., through distributors, offers its solutions in China, Japan, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, France, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Spain, Sweden, Norway, and Finland. The company was founded in 2005 and is based in Poway, California.

Lite Enterprises

Grant in 2012
Lite Enterprises uses in applications include aquaculture, agriculture, cell phone and broadcast towers, wind turbines, and solar farms, protecting wildlife from toxic waste zones. They offer cameras with motion detection capabilities, and a wireless mesh network allows remote access and control.

Evigia Systems

Grant in 2012
Evigia is an innovation leader in utilizing integrated sensor and ASIC technologies to dramatically improve the functionality and cost of wireless and sensing products. Our competitive advantage is our proven ability to deliver wireless sensing and tracking technology that provides longer battery life, a smaller form factor, and superior functionality per unit cost. This is achieved through an integrated electronics design and manufacturing approach which combines wireless communications and sophisticated sensing functions within an integrated silicon chip, reducing the number of discrete components used in wireless sensing and tracking hardware. This results in smaller form factors, higher energy efficiency and lower production costs. Evigia Systems was founded as a wireless and sensing electronics company based in Ann Arbor, MI, in mid-2004. Evigia is acknowledged as a leading provider of wireless sensing, identification and tracking products and solutions proven in military, security, and commercial applications.
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