What Symetrica does

Symetrica develops and commercializes radiation detection and identification systems used by government defense, border security, and homeland security agencies. Founded as a University of Southampton spin-out in the early 2000s, the company operates through two wholly-owned entities, Symetrica Security Ltd. in the UK (Southampton Science Park) and Symetrica Inc. in the US (Westford, Massachusetts), and runs a 2,350 sq m US manufacturing facility alongside its UK headquarters and laboratory. Its product portfolio spans handheld Radioisotope Identification Devices (the VeriFinder S100, S200, and S300 backpack), vehicle and pedestrian Radiation Portal Monitors under the Vigilant brand (including spectroscopic variants), modular and mobile detection systems (Vigilant MRD, Discovery Mobile 360), and the vendor-agnostic Discovery enterprise software platform that fuses sensor data from radiation detectors, X-ray systems, and legacy assets into a common operating picture with machine learning, anomaly detection, and automated reporting capabilities. All products are built on the proprietary Discovery Technology® core, which the company describes as more than 22 years in development and which underpins claims of long calibration intervals and high isotope identification performance.

The business model combines project-based hardware sales of detection equipment with multi-year enterprise software licensing (Discovery modules for nuclear detection, fleet management, X-ray analysis, and machine learning) and integration and support services, all sold under government procurement frameworks with multi-year delivery cycles. Go-to-market is dominated by direct enterprise sales into defense, homeland security, customs, and border agencies, supplemented by exclusive regional distributors (Target Tecnologia in Spain, NASCO in Saudi Arabia) and prime-contractor partnerships (Leidos on the US RPM Replacement Program). Named customers include the US Department of Defense, US Customs and Border Protection, UK Border Force, the City of Houston under the Securing the Cities program, the European Commission Joint Research Centre, and the Port of North Charleston with Leidos, with major awards including a $35M US DoD VeriFinder contract, a multi-million GBP UK Border Force award, and a 35+ Radiation Portal Monitor Saudi framework via NASCO. The company is privately held, has raised approximately $25M across multiple Parkwalk Advisors-led rounds through 2023, holds ISO 9001, ISO/IEC 27001, Cyber Essentials Plus, and JOSCAR credentials, and was awarded the King's Award for Enterprise for International Trade in 2024.

Name

Symetrica

Legal name

Symetrica Security Ltd.

Website

https://symetrica.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2004

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Symetrica designs and manufactures radiation detection hardware (handheld RIIDs, portal monitors, mobile systems) and the Discovery AI-driven command-and-control software platform, selling primarily to government defense, border security, and homeland security agencies in the US, UK, Saudi Arabia, and Europe.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Radiation Detection and Identification Systems

NAICS

Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing (33451), Other Measuring and Controlling Device Manufacturing (334519)

SIC

Industrial Instruments For Measurement, Display, And Control (3823), Measuring & Controlling Devices, Nec (3829), X-Ray Apparatus & Tubes & Related Irradiation Apparatus (3844)

akta.pro primary industry

Radiation Detection Instruments & Systems (Portal monitors, spectrometers, contamination monitors) (EUAKAIAK)

akta.pro secondary industry

Nonproliferation Technology & Detection (radiation portal monitors, RPMs, spectroscopy, forensics) (EUAKAJAG)

Keywords

• Radiation detection systems
• Radioisotope identification devices
• Radiation portal monitors
• Homeland security detection
• Security sensor software platform

Headquarters

HQ city

Southampton

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Hardware Sales - Radiation Detection Devices: Sale of radiation detection hardware including handheld RIIDs (VeriFinder series), backpack detectors, mobile units, and static/modular portal monitors. Revenue is project-based with long-term contracts such as the $35M US DoD contract for VeriFinder devices.
2. Software Licenses and Platform (Discovery): Enterprise software platform licensing with modular license options including nuclear detection, fleet management, X-ray analysis, and machine learning capabilities. Can be deployed on-premise, cloud, or hybrid.
3. Integration and Support Services: System integration, installation, and ongoing support services for deployed detection systems, particularly for government customers requiring customization and maintenance.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Symetrica develops and manufactures radiation detection and identification hardware (handheld RIIDs, backpack detectors, and radiation portal monitors) along with the Discovery enterprise software platform for centralized security sensor data management. Products are built on the company's proprietary Discovery Technology® and serve homeland security, border protection, military, and critical infrastructure applications for government customers worldwide.

Product overview

Symetrica offers a comprehensive portfolio of radiation detection and identification products organized around its proprietary Discovery Technology platform. The product line spans handheld Radioisotope Identification Devices (VeriFinder S100, S200, S300), vehicle-mounted and pedestrian portal monitors (Vigilant RPM series including pedestrian and spectroscopic variants), and the Discovery software platform for centralized data management. Discovery Mobile 360 integrates 360-degree vision with radiation detection for mobile operations. The company provides both hardware products with advanced detection capabilities and the Discovery enterprise software platform that utilizes AI and machine learning for threat analysis, all supported by e-Learning training services. The product ecosystem is designed for homeland security, border protection, military, and critical infrastructure applications.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Discovery: Enterprise AI-driven software platform for security sensor data fusion, threat detection analysis, and common operating picture - vendor agnostic solution integrating new and legacy detection systems
• Vigilant
• VeriFinder
• Sym-X

Products and services

• VeriFinder S100 Sleek, lightweight handheld Radioisotope Identification Device (RIID) with advanced algorithms for simultaneous isotope identification. Identifies over 50 nuclides including Special Nuclear Materials and offers up to 10 years of operation without factory calibration. Targeted at government agencies for field radiation threat identification.
• VeriFinder S200 High-resolution handheld Radioisotope Identification Device (RIID) for fast, accurate isotope identification. Features NaI or LaBr gamma detector and neutron detector with Discovery Technology, plus GPS, 4G, wireless and Bluetooth connectivity. Used by government defense and security customers for radiological threat identification.
• VeriFinder S300 Backpack Detector Backpack Radiation Detector (BRD) providing wide-area, mobile threat detection for urban security, border patrol and event security operations. Designed for field mobility while maintaining the detection sensitivity of Symetrica's Discovery Technology.
• Vigilant Radiation Portal Monitor (RPM) - Vehicle Vehicle screening radiation portal monitor designed for border security, customs enforcement, and critical infrastructure protection. Features IP68-rated configurations, continuous automatic stabilization, and real-time health monitoring for high-throughput scanning of cargo and vehicles at ports of entry.
• Vigilant Pedestrian Radiation Portal Monitor Pedestrian-specific radiation portal monitor for screening individuals at border crossings and high-security facilities, providing fast throughput with low false alarm rates.
• Vigilant Spectroscopic Radiation Portal Monitor (sRPM) Spectroscopic radiation portal monitor with advanced isotopic identification capabilities for enhanced threat detection at border and critical infrastructure sites.
• Vigilant MRD (Modular Radiation Detection) Modular, vehicle-mounted radiation detection system designed for flexible use on the move, stationary, or at pop-up checkpoints. Supports wide-area radiation detection for national security operations.
• Discovery Software Platform Enterprise AI-driven software platform providing centralized reporting, control, and management of security sensor data across multi-vendor detection estates. Includes modular software modules for nuclear detection, fleet management, X-ray analysis, and machine learning capabilities. Vendor-agnostic solution supporting on-premise, cloud, or hybrid deployment.
• Discovery Mobile 360 Fully integrated mobile solution combining 360-degree vision with 360-degree radiation detection. Enables sources to be seen and tracked around vehicles using advanced algorithms for both static and dynamic modes without performance reduction. Used by border agencies, police, first responders, and security professionals.
• Symetrica e-Learning Courses Online learning platform allowing customers to develop knowledge and skills in radiation detection and security operations at their own convenience with expert facilitator support. Sold to government and security customers to support deployment and operation of Symetrica systems.

Quantifiable outcome

• Reduced false alarm rates through advanced discrimination of nuclear threats versus Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material (NORM) shipments
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability7 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• National Advanced Systems Company Ltd (NASCO)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 26 February 2025Joint effort with NASCO based in Riyadh for multi-year framework contract for radiation portal monitors in Saudi Arabia. Includes supply, installation, and ongoing support of more than 35 RPM vehicle screening systems along with Discovery software platform.
• Target Tecnologia, S.A.coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 22 May 2023Exclusive distributor for Spain bringing several decades of successful business as a specialist in security and detection technologies. Partnership enables expansion of international presence and market share in the Spanish market.
• LeidoscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 November 2022Prime partner for US RPM Replacement Program. Symetrica deployed two latest generation radiation portal monitors to Port of North Charleston, South Carolina under this partnership. 100+ portal contracts awarded in 2021 for delivery over 18 months.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Broad incumbents

• Smiths Detection: Smiths Detection is a global leader in threat detection and screening technologies, offering a broad portfolio that includes radiation detection systems alongside X-ray, CT, and trace detection. It is one of Symetrica's main competitors for US DoD, border agency, and customs contracts, and is also the former employer of several Symetrica executives.
• Rapiscan Systems (OSI Systems): Rapiscan Systems, a division of OSI Systems, manufactures security and inspection systems including radiation detection portals, baggage and cargo inspection, and handheld detectors used by customs, defense, and critical infrastructure operators globally. Symetrica's International Sales Director Terry Whittock previously held senior roles at Rapiscan, underscoring direct technical overlap.
• Thermo Fisher Scientific (Nuclear Detection): Thermo Fisher's Nuclear Security & Safeguards business offers radiation detection instruments including RIIDs, spectroscopic portals, and spectroscopy systems for safeguards, defense, and CBRN applications. It competes with Symetrica in the broader radiation detection market while also serving nuclear power and safeguards customers beyond Symetrica's homeland security focus.
• Teledyne FLIR Defense: Teledyne FLIR Defense supplies chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) detection systems, integrated sensor platforms, and unmanned solutions to defense and homeland security customers. It competes with Symetrica in CBRN handheld detection and complements Symetrica's products in multi-sensor command-and-control deployments.

Direct peers

• Nuctech: Nuctech is a Chinese-headquartered provider of radiation detection portals, cargo inspection systems, and homeland security solutions serving customs, airports, and border agencies worldwide. It directly competes with Symetrica in the radiation portal monitor and RIID categories across international tenders.
• Mirion Technologies: Mirion Technologies is a leading provider of radiation detection, measurement, and monitoring solutions for nuclear power, defense, medical, and homeland security markets. Its Canberra and IST division products overlap directly with Symetrica's handheld RIIDs, spectroscopic portal monitors, and CBRN detection offerings.
• Kromek Group: Kromek Group is a UK-headquartered radiation detection and identification specialist producing CZT-based detectors, RIIDs, and OEM detector modules for nuclear security, medical imaging, and CBRN applications. It is a closely comparable UK-based peer with overlapping nuclear security and homeland security customers.
• Bertin Instruments (Bertin Technologies): Bertin Instruments is a French supplier of radiation detection and CBRN monitoring equipment, including handheld RIIDs, area monitors, and spectroscopic detectors used by defense and homeland security agencies. It competes with Symetrica in EU and international tenders for portable and fixed radiation detection systems.

Others

• Leidos: Leidos is Symetrica's strategic prime contractor partner on the US Radiation Portal Monitor Replacement Program and a major US defense/security systems integrator with security detection and automation operations. It both partners with Symetrica (Leidos' SDA business is a previous employer of Symetrica's CEO) and competes as a large-scale prime on adjacent detection programs.

Emerging players

• Ava Group: Ava Group provides advanced threat detection, intrusion detection, and security solutions including the Future Fibre Technologies and BQT brands. Symetrica's former CCO Jim Viscardi joined from Ava Group; the company is adjacent rather than directly competitive, but its security detection portfolio overlaps with Symetrica's critical infrastructure and border security customer base.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/symetrica
• Xx.com/symetrica_

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles19 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds9 records

Investors10 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 Symetrica