US-based airspace security technology developer Fortem Technologies has closed a $15m series A round that included aerospace manufacturer Boeing’s corporate venturing unit, HorizonX.
Venture capital fund Data Collective led the round, which also featured Manifest Growth, New Ground Ventures, Signia Venture Partners and Mubadala Investment Company, the investment arm of the emirate of Abu Dhabi.
Founded in 2016, Fortem Technologies is the developer of TrueView, a radar system capable of fitting on an aircraft that can detect, track and identify airborne objects, even when they are moving rapidly.
The company’s product range also includes a lightweight radar and counter-drones called DroneHunters that intercept malicious unmanned aerial vehicless in order to secure airspace. It is developing a ground-based radar that will be deployed in metropolitan areas to collect real-time data on all airborne objects in the vicinity.
The round followed a $5.5m round for Fortem in May 2017 that was co-led by Data Collective and Signia Venture Partners. The startup’s technology was acquired from radar system producer Imsar.
Steve Nordlund, vice-president of Boeing HorizonX, said: “By delivering proven, powerful and compact radar systems for safe unmanned flight, Fortem Technologies supports Boeing’s commitment to the responsible introduction of future autonomous air vehicles.”