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

Revelen.AI

Grant in 2022
Revelen.ai develops investigation technology aimed at addressing gun-related crimes. Its solution integrates with existing law enforcement tools and databases, offering a comprehensive method for crime prevention and resolution. By utilizing these databases, Revelen.ai's technology transforms data matches into immediate leads on suspects and weapons, allowing investigators to generate trails for potential criminals. This innovative approach enables law enforcement to solve crime cases more efficiently and effectively.

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.

RaySecur

Grant in 2022
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.

Epirus

Grant in 2021
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.

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.

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.

Circle Optics

Grant in 2020
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.

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.

RaySecur

Grant in 2019
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

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 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.

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.

InView

Grant in 2014
InView Technology Corporation, established in 2009 and headquartered in Austin, Texas, specializes in the development and manufacturing of compressive sensing-based imaging and hyperspectral imaging products. The company's offerings include CompressView software for data management, SWIR cameras, and controllable spatial light modulator systems. Its applications span various sectors such as microscopy and life sciences, military and surveillance, maritime, and industrial process control. InView's technology enables affordable and high-performance imaging solutions, making it a significant player in the imaging industry.

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 develops advanced chemical sensors designed for law enforcement, military, and public safety applications. The company is focused on creating a detector that can effectively identify explosives and narcotics, utilizing a patent-pending sensor that boasts enhanced sensitivity and selectivity compared to existing technologies. Vaporsens is also pursuing several additional patents for next-generation sensors intended for various detection methods, including handheld, ambient, and checkpoint use. By prioritizing innovation in sensor technology, Vaporsens aims to improve the capabilities of safety officials in their efforts to combat threats.

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.

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.

InView

Grant in 2013
InView Technology Corporation, established in 2009 and headquartered in Austin, Texas, specializes in the development and manufacturing of compressive sensing-based imaging and hyperspectral imaging products. The company's offerings include CompressView software for data management, SWIR cameras, and controllable spatial light modulator systems. Its applications span various sectors such as microscopy and life sciences, military and surveillance, maritime, and industrial process control. InView's technology enables affordable and high-performance imaging solutions, making it a significant player in the imaging industry.

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 develops advanced chemical sensors designed for law enforcement, military, and public safety applications. The company is focused on creating a detector that can effectively identify explosives and narcotics, utilizing a patent-pending sensor that boasts enhanced sensitivity and selectivity compared to existing technologies. Vaporsens is also pursuing several additional patents for next-generation sensors intended for various detection methods, including handheld, ambient, and checkpoint use. By prioritizing innovation in sensor technology, Vaporsens aims to improve the capabilities of safety officials in their efforts to combat threats.

Daylight Solutions

Grant in 2012
Daylight Solutions, Inc. develops and manufactures advanced molecular detection and imaging systems for various sectors, including scientific research, life sciences, industrial process control, and defense. The company offers cutting-edge external cavity quantum cascade laser technology, including mid-infrared tunable and fixed wavelength lasers, as well as accessories like amplified MCT detectors. Its product range encompasses analytical instruments for cancer and stem cell research, digital pathology, and personalized medicine, alongside sensors and imaging solutions for industrial applications in sectors such as pharmaceuticals, petrochemicals, and environmental monitoring. In the defense arena, Daylight Solutions produces high-power laser systems for aircraft protection and multi-spectral beacons for military use. Founded in 2004 and based in San Diego, California, the company distributes its products globally, serving markets in North America, Europe, and Asia. As of June 2017, it operates as a subsidiary of DRS Technologies, Inc.

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 Systems, Inc. is a manufacturer based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, specializing in active RFID technology. The company develops a range of products, including RFID sensors, transponders, tags, and readers, offering various tag types such as license plate, asset, and sensor tags. Their readers include active fixed and hand-held interrogators, along with management software and development kits. Evigia integrates advanced sensor and ASIC technologies to enhance the performance and reduce the cost of its wireless sensing products. This innovative approach leads to longer battery life, smaller sizes, and improved functionality. The company serves multiple sectors, including aerospace and defense, transportation and logistics, cold chain management, and chemical handling. Established in 2004, Evigia Systems is recognized for its contributions to military, security, and commercial applications through its wireless sensing, identification, and tracking solutions.
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