What DefendEye does

DefendEye P.S.A., founded in 2023 and headquartered in Kraków, Poland, with a US operations entity (DefendEye USA) supported by over 65% US citizen shareholders, designs and sells tube-launched, fully autonomous AI-powered drone systems that require no pilot, no remote control, and no training to operate. The flagship product is a sub-250-gram disposable drone housed in a reusable launch tube that deploys in under 10 seconds, streams live HD and thermal video to a proprietary DefendEye Command Center Cloud, and uses an onboard 2 TOPS neural processing unit to detect and track humans in under 10 milliseconds. The platform operates GPS-independently, integrates Sony IMX327 Starlight sensors for night vision at 150 feet in total darkness, and pairs with Starlink Mini and 5G for beyond-visual-line-of-sight connectivity. The product family spans three reusable launch-tube variants (motion-activated autonomous, autonomous fixed, and manual), a NATO-compliant disposable wooden-plastic military drone, and proprietary OEM modules (Fly Controller, ESC, GNSS module, IMX327 camera) sold exclusively for use within the DefendEye ecosystem.

DefendEye monetizes through hardware sales at a published $599 per drone unit price via direct e-commerce (defendeye.com pre-orders) and, as of 2025, through a distribution partnership with NOBLE for the US government and defense market, plus direct enterprise field sales. OEM components (EU Motors, IMX327 camera, ESC, GNSS, Fly Controller) are sold separately through an OEM Products store. The customer base is segmented across first responders (police, fire, EMS), military and defense, government agencies, and critical infrastructure security, with use cases spanning emergency response, search and rescue, perimeter breach response, gunshot-triggered autonomous deployment (via EAGL Technology integration), and tactical reconnaissance. Strategic integration partners include EAGL Technology (gunshot detection), Starlink (satellite connectivity), ATAK (military tactical platform), and Flock911 (911 dispatch automation). All critical components are now manufactured in the United States to meet NDAA compliance requirements for DoD procurement.

The company is early-stage, having closed a $1.28M seed round in May 2025 led by Sunfish Partners with Hard2beat participating. In 2025 it won the Pitch the Press Event at the Commercial UAV Expo and received an honorable mention at the Orzeł Rzeczpospolitej 2025 awards in the Defense Innovation category. Revenue is not publicly disclosed; with 11-50 employees, US production transitioning in late 2025, and recent product launches, DefendEye is positioning itself as an NDAA-compliant supplier of low-cost, pilot-free autonomous drone systems to the US and European first-responder and defense markets.

Name

DefendEye

Legal name

DefendEye P.S.A.

Website

https://defendeye.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2023

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

DefendEye P.S.A. is a Kraków-based defense-tech startup (founded 2023) that builds tube-launched, fully autonomous AI drones requiring no pilot or training, priced at $599 per unit and sold to first responders, military, government agencies, and critical infrastructure operators. Its NDAA-compliant US production program and NOBLE distribution partnership position it for US DoD and public-safety procurement.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Autonomous Tactical Drone Systems

NAICS

Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing (334511)

SIC

Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812)

akta.pro primary industry

Military Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) & Autonomous Aerial Platforms (IMABAMAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Autonomy Software, AI & Mission Management (UAS/UXV) (IMABAIAH), UAS Launch/Recovery & Support Equipment (Catapults, Nets, Docking) (IMABAIAN), UAS Ground Control Stations (GCS) & Remote Operations Infrastructure (IMABAIAL), Counter-UAS Detection Sensors & Integrated Sensor Suites (IMABAGAK)

Keywords

• Autonomous drone systems
• Tube-launched drones
• AI search drones
• First responder drones
• Tactical reconnaissance drones

Headquarters

HQ city

Cracow

HQ country

Poland

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations

Revenue model

1. Complete Drone System Sales: Sale of complete autonomous drone systems including the launch tube and drone unit. Customers purchase the full system for immediate deployment capability.
2. OEM Component Sales: Sale of individual components including EU Motors for replacement and spare parts through the OEM Products store.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

DefendEye designs and sells tube-launched, fully autonomous AI-powered drones that deploy in under 10 seconds, require no pilot training or remote control, and use onboard AI to detect and track humans while streaming live HD and thermal video to the DefendEye Command Center Cloud. The company also offers reusable launch tubes (motion-activated, fixed, and manual variants), a NATO-compliant disposable military drone, a cloud command platform, and a portfolio of proprietary OEM components such as flight controllers, ESCs, GNSS modules, and camera modules.

Product overview

DefendEye offers a unified autonomous drone system centered on its flagship tube-launched AI search drone, complemented by a family of reusable Launch Tubes and a growing portfolio of proprietary OEM components. The core product is a fully autonomous, pilot-free drone that launches in under 10 seconds from portable or fixed tubes, streams live HD/thermal video to the DefendEye Command Center Cloud, and uses onboard AI for real-time human detection and tracking. The product family includes three Launch Tube variants (Motion-Activated Autonomous, Autonomous Fixed, and Manual), a NATO-compliant disposable military drone, and OEM modules (Fly Controller, IMX327 camera, GNSS module, and ESC) — all designed to work exclusively within the DefendEye ecosystem. The company has partnered with EAGL Technology for gunshot-triggered deployment and integrated Starlink Mini for global satellite connectivity.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• DefendEye Autonomous Search Drone Tube-launched, fully autonomous AI-powered drone that deploys in under 10 seconds, requires no pilot training or remote control, weighs under 250g (no FAA registration required), operates up to 30 minutes, and uses onboard AI to detect and track humans while streaming live HD and thermal video to the DefendEye Command Center Cloud. Includes night vision detection at 150ft in total darkness.
• NATO Military-Compliant Disposable Wooden-Plastic Drone Disposable, lightweight wooden-plastic drone with NATO-compliant components, enhanced flight time for extended reconnaissance missions, and tactical flexibility through disposable design. All critical components manufactured in the United States for DoD readiness.
• Motion-Activated Autonomous Reusable Launch-Tube Rugged, reusable launch tube equipped with mmWave radar for autonomous human motion detection. Triggers instant drone launch when human movement is detected toward the sensor, with remote launch capability from a Network Operations Center (NOC) and Ethernet/PoE connectivity.
• Autonomous Fixed Reusable Launch-Tube Rugged, IP67-certified reusable fixed launch tube with Ethernet/PoE connectivity for seamless integration with command centers. Supports remote launch via pull-up 5V trigger line and external third-party sensor integration, designed for continuous field deployment in all-weather scenarios.
• Manual Reusable Launch-Tube Compact, lightweight manual launch tube designed for field portability that deploys drones via simple manual trigger without external power or complex systems. Features local Wi-Fi connectivity and durable construction for repeated field use.
• DefendEye Command Center Cloud Cloud-based command and control platform that receives real-time video streams and telemetry from deployed drones, delivers instant push notifications with location and live video to emergency subscribers, enables fleet management and drone health monitoring, and provides rotating encryption key security with historical recording and advanced AI analytics.
• IMX327 Ultra Low Light Camera Module for Raspberry Pi OEM camera module featuring the Sony STARVIS IMX327 image sensor (2MP, 1920x1080 at up to 46fps) with automatic IR-CUT filter for day/night color accuracy and superior low-light performance. Designed for Raspberry Pi single-board computers (not compatible with Raspberry Pi 5), measuring 38x38mm with an M12 80° FOV lens.
• DefendEye Electronic Speed Controller (ESC), 10A 4-channel, 10A electronic speed controller designed for fixed-wing aircraft with BLDC motors. Features SMT pick-and-place manufacturing, automatic LiPo cell detection, built-in 1A BEC, and plug-and-fly operation. Max input voltage 2S Li-Po, diameter 64mm.
• DefendEye GNSS Navigation Module – GPS with MAX M10S chip and antenna Compact (22x19mm) GNSS receiver module based on the u-blox MAX-M10S chipset supporting GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, and BeiDou multi-constellation tracking for rapid position acquisition and high accuracy. Features built-in GNSS antenna, optional backup battery for warm-start functionality, and 5V power supply compatibility.
• DefendEye Fly Controller Compact, high-performance flight control module exclusively for the DefendEye ecosystem. Built around STM32F405 for low-level flight control with an integrated TI AM62A7 companion computer for advanced processing. Includes onboard IMU, barometer, and magnetometer, proprietary connectors, and USB Type-C for configuration and firmware updates.

Quantifiable outcome

• Sub-10-second autonomous deployment eliminates manual setup time compared to traditional drones requiring 2-5 minutes of pre-flight preparation
• +2 more outcomes

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

AI capability7 records

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• NOBLEcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2025NOBLE serves as the primary distribution partner for DefendEye's US government and defense market. This partnership enables DefendEye to access established procurement channels and reach US military and government customers through NOBLE's existing relationships and contracting vehicles.
• EAGL TechnologycoreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2025Strategic partnership integrating EAGL Technology's gunshot detection system with DefendEye's autonomous drone platform. When EAGL detects gunfire, DefendEye drones can be automatically deployed to the location for immediate aerial reconnaissance and evidence collection.
• EU MotorsminorOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerEU Motors serves as the exclusive motor supplier for DefendEye drone systems. Motors are sold through the OEM Products store as replacement components and are a critical mechanical component of the drone propulsion system.
• StarlinkcoreTechnology or IntegrationIntegration with Starlink Mini and 5G connectivity enables DefendEye drones to maintain communications beyond visual line of sight. This partnership extends the operational range and enables satellite-connected autonomous operations.
• ATAK (Android Tactical Assault Kit)coreTechnology or IntegrationIntegration with the Android Tactical Assault Kit (ATAK) enables DefendEye drones to interface with military and first responder tactical coordination systems, allowing operators to control drones and view footage within their existing tactical awareness platforms.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• Skydio: US-based autonomous drone manufacturer with strong public-safety (DFR) and defense presence, offering self-flying quadcopters with onboard AI obstacle avoidance and tracking. Directly comparable as an autonomous UAS platform competing for the same first-responder and DoD contracts that DefendEye targets.
• Brinc Drones: Manufacturer of autonomous drones specifically designed for public safety, SWAT, and tactical response with two-way audio and live streaming. Competes head-to-head with DefendEye in the police and first-responder autonomous UAS category.
• Easy Aerial: Manufacturer of autonomous tethered and free-flying drones in docking stations for security, defense, and public safety. Closely comparable business model of autonomous, pilot-free drones housed in launch/dock stations for perimeter and ISR use cases.
• Red Cat Holdings (Teal Drones): US-listed small military UAS maker (Teal 2, Black Widow) sold primarily to DoD and allied militaries. Comparable as a small, NDAA-aligned military drone company targeting similar defense reconnaissance and tactical ISR buyers.
• Nightingale Security: Provider of autonomous BlackBird drone-in-a-box systems for perimeter security and intruder response. Closely comparable in the autonomous, fixed-launch-tube, perimeter-breach-response niche that DefendEye's launch tubes target.

Broad incumbents

• Anduril Industries: US defense prime building autonomous UAS (Ghost/Lattice) and counter-UAS systems for DoD and DHS. A broad incumbent across autonomous defense systems whose Lattice mesh and tactical autonomy software overlap with DefendEye's AI/autonomy positioning for defense customers.
• AeroVironment: Established US military UAS prime (Switchblade loitering munitions, Puma, Raven) with deep DoD procurement relationships and Blue UAS listings. Comparable as a military UAS manufacturer targeting the same tactical and reconnaissance use cases.
• Shield AI: US defense tech company building autonomous military UAS (V-BAT) and AI pilot software (Hivemind). Overlaps with DefendEye's autonomy-first positioning for defense customers and competes for autonomy software mindshare in DoD programs.
• Axon Air (Axon Enterprise): Public safety technology leader that has built a Drone-as-First-Responder program around the Skydio platform, supplying drones to police agencies. Comparable as the dominant channel/buyer in the police DFR category that DefendEye is targeting.

Others

• D-Fend Solutions: Counter-UAS detection and takeover provider for defense and homeland security. Adjacent to DefendEye because both target the airspace-security and unauthorized-drone-response use case, though from opposite sides (defender vs. deployer).

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors5 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about DefendEye