GhostWave
GhostWave is a Hilliard, Ohio-based radar technology company founded in 2016 that develops pseudo-random RF noise radar and Rydberg atom quantum sensing systems for defense (U.S. Army), automotive ADAS, drone detect-and-avoid, and counter-UAS applications, holding four exclusive patents from The Ohio State University.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2016
- HeadquartersColumbus, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What GhostWave does
GhostWave Inc. is a privately held radar and quantum sensing technology company founded in 2016 and headquartered in Hilliard, Ohio (a Columbus suburb). The company develops pseudo-random RF noise radar systems with Low Probability of Detection (LPD) and Low Probability of Interference (LPI) characteristics, built on four exclusive patents licensed from The Ohio State University that originated in U.S. Army-commissioned research for stealthy ballistic detection on helicopters. The core waveform technology uses digitally generated pseudorandom noise signals recovered through cross-correlation, making transmissions appear as ambient noise to unauthorized listeners while resisting jamming and interference that affect conventional FMCW radars. GhostWave has extended this platform into quantum sensing using Rydberg atomic vapors, with photonic integrated circuit components developed in partnership with Dr. Ronald Reano's group at Ohio State.
GhostWave's product portfolio spans defense, automotive, drone, and agricultural applications. The core RF Noise Radar is applied to Drone Detect and Avoid (DAA) systems for Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) operations, automotive ADAS radar resistant to cross-talk and jamming, low-altitude Forward Operating Base (FOB) threat detection systems combining LPD radar with electro-optical and infrared sensors (capable of tracking up to 1,000 targets per system in a 360-degree field of view), and an unconventional non-invasive bee hive monitoring system. The Rydberg Atomic Sensor and fiber-to-chip coupling technology round out the quantum sensing portfolio.
The company's business model is built on direct B2B sales to government defense customers and enterprise clients, including hardware sales of custom radar systems and grant-funded collaborative research partnerships with universities and Ohio state programs (Ohio Third Frontier, Ohio Federal Research Network). Pricing is not publicly disclosed and is quote-based for specialized defense and industrial applications. The team of fewer than 10 people operates through enterprise field sales and direct technical engagement, with marketing relying on earned media, press coverage, and industry recognition rather than active campaigns. The company is founder-led by CEO Dean Zody, a 20-year telecom veteran and Ohio State MBA.
GhostWave firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- GhostWave
- Legal name
- GhostWave Inc.
- Website
- https://ghostwaveinc.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2016
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- GhostWave is a Hilliard, Ohio-based radar technology company founded in 2016 that develops pseudo-random RF noise radar and Rydberg atom quantum sensing systems for defense (U.S. Army), automotive ADAS, drone detect-and-avoid, and counter-UAS applications, holding four exclusive patents from The Ohio State University.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
GhostWave industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Stealth Radar Systems
- NAICS
- Satellite Telecommunications (5174)
- SIC
- Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Radar Systems & Subsystems (Airborne, Ground, Naval) (IMABAGAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Defense Communications (Secure Radios, SATCOM Terminals, Crypto) (IMABAGAG), Guidance, Navigation & Control (GNC) Electronics for Weapons (IMABAGAH)
Keywords
Where GhostWave is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Columbus
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
GhostWave business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Defense and Government Contracts: GhostWave develops solutions for the Department of Defense including stealth radar systems originally commissioned by the U.S. Army for stealthy ballistic detection. Revenue from research contracts and product sales to military customers.
- Private Sector Product Sales: Sales of radar systems to automotive industry for collision avoidance and ADAS applications, and to drone manufacturers for Detect and Avoid (DAA) systems.
- Research and Development Partnerships: Collaborative research projects with universities and technology partners funded by grants such as Ohio Third Frontier and Ohio Federal Research Network awards.
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels5 records
GhostWave product offering
Product offeringCore offering
GhostWave develops and sells stealth radar systems based on pseudo-randomly generated RF noise waveforms that provide Low Probability of Detection (LPD) and Low Probability of Interference (LPI) capabilities, originally developed for U.S. Army stealth ballistic detection. The company also develops quantum sensing technology using Rydberg atomic vapors and sells radar-based solutions tailored to defense, automotive ADAS, and drone detect-and-avoid applications. Core technology is protected by four exclusive patents licensed from The Ohio State University.
Product overview
GhostWave offers a portfolio of advanced radar and quantum sensing technologies anchored by its patented RF Noise Radar platform. The core product is the RF Noise Radar, which provides stealthy, interference-resistant detection capabilities using pseudo-random radio frequency signals. Building on this foundation, GhostWave has expanded into Quantum Sensing with its Rydberg Atomic Sensor technology developed in partnership with The Ohio State University. The company applies these core technologies across specialized market applications including Drone Detect and Avoid (DAA) Systems for air vehicles, Automotive Industry Radar for vehicles, Low Altitude FOB Threat Detection systems for security applications, and an innovative Hive Monitoring System for agricultural use. Supporting infrastructure includes Fiber-to-Chip Coupling Technology for photonic integrated circuits. The company holds four exclusive patents from The Ohio State University covering these RF technologies.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- RF Noise Radar
- Rydberg Atomic Sensor
- Drone Detect and Avoid (DAA) Systems
- Automotive Industry Radar
- Low Altitude FOB Threat Detection System
- Hive Monitoring System
Quantifiable outcome
- System can track up to 1000 targets per system in 360-degree field of view
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use GhostWave
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
GhostWave technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
GhostWave partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- The Ohio State UniversitycorePrimary technology partner holding four exclusive patents licensed to GhostWave. Original research commissioned by U.S. Army for stealthy ballistic detection. Ongoing collaboration on Rydberg atom quantum sensing and fiber-to-chip coupling technology with Dr. Ronald Reano's group.
- Converge TechnologiesminorPartner in Rydberg atoms quantum sensing development project alongside GhostWave, Infleqtion, ResCon Technologies, and Ohio State University.
- InfleqtionminorPartner in Rydberg atoms quantum sensing development project for atomic remote sensing/communications.
- ResCon TechnologiesminorPartner in Rydberg atoms quantum sensing development consortium.
- MassChallengeminorGhostWave selected for U.S. Early Stage 21 Cohort startup accelerator program.
- Parallax Advanced ResearchminorGhostWave selected for drone-focused defense accelerator program along with nine other Ohio companies.
- LIFT AircraftminorPartnership with City of Hilliard and Parallax Advanced Research to propose life-saving technology for Ohio's first flying car initiative.
- SBCi LTDminorSusan Stanton, Managing Principle at SBCi LTD, serves as advisor to GhostWave.
- True NorthminorMike Stoner, President of True North, serves as advisor to GhostWave.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights4 records
GhostWave competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Echodyne: Echodyne produces metamaterials-based phased-array radar for counter-UAS, perimeter security, and autonomous systems—directly overlapping GhostWave's drone DAA and FOB threat detection use cases.
- Uhnder: Uhnder develops digital automotive imaging radar with anti-interference coding, directly competing with GhostWave's RF Noise Radar pitch to solve cross-talk in congested ADAS environments.
- Arbe Robotics: Arbe builds 4D imaging radar for automotive ADAS and autonomous vehicles, sharing GhostWave's automotive radar target market and competing for OEM design wins.
- Dedrone: Dedrone offers multi-sensor drone detection and airspace security for defense and critical infrastructure, directly overlapping GhostWave's FOB and counter-UAS applications.
- Oculii (Ambarella): Oculii (now part of Ambarella) develops AI-powered imaging radar for automotive and drone applications, overlapping GhostWave's ADAS and UAS DAA segments.
- Robin Radar Systems: Robin Radar specializes in bird-detection and drone-detection radar for aviation, defense, and critical infrastructure—overlapping with GhostWave's counter-UAS and FOB threat detection use cases.
- Iris Automation: Iris Automation provides detect-and-avoid (Casia) solutions for BVLOS drone operations, directly competing with GhostWave's drone DAA product offering.
- RADA Electronic Industries (DRS RADA): RADA (now part of Leonardo DRS) produces tactical radar for active protection, counter-UAS, and force protection—directly competing with GhostWave's military radar portfolio.
Broad incumbents
- Anduril Industries: Anduril is a well-capitalized defense-tech prime whose Lattice platform and counter-UAS portfolio compete broadly with GhostWave's FOB threat detection and drone DAA offerings.
Emerging players
- Metawave: Metawave developed mmWave analog radar for automotive ADAS and 5G—another emerging player chasing interference-robust automotive radar, conceptually adjacent to GhostWave's approach.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
GhostWave social profiles
Digital presenceGhostWave financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
GhostWave leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles7 records
GhostWave funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
GhostWave M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about GhostWave
What does GhostWave do?
GhostWave develops and sells stealth radar systems based on pseudo-randomly generated RF noise waveforms that provide Low Probability of Detection (LPD) and Low Probability of Interference (LPI) capabilities, originally developed for U.S. Army stealth ballistic detection. The company also develops quantum sensing technology using Rydberg atomic vapors and sells radar-based solutions tailored to defense, automotive ADAS, and drone detect-and-avoid applications. Core technology is protected by four exclusive patents licensed from The Ohio State University.
Is GhostWave a public or private company?
GhostWave is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was GhostWave founded?
GhostWave was founded in 2016. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is GhostWave based?
GhostWave is headquartered in Columbus, United States, in the North America region.
How does GhostWave make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Defense and Government Contracts are the primary driver. The others are private Sector Product Sales and research and Development Partnerships.
Who are GhostWave's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Echodyne, Uhnder, Arbe Robotics, Dedrone, Oculii (Ambarella), Robin Radar Systems, Iris Automation and RADA Electronic Industries (DRS RADA). Anduril Industries is listed as a broad incumbent. Metawave is listed as an emerging player.
Does GhostWave have an API?
No public API is recorded for GhostWave.
What industry is GhostWave in?
GhostWave's product category is Stealth Radar Systems. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMABAGAA, Radar Systems & Subsystems (Airborne, Ground, Naval), with a secondary code of IMABAGAG, Defense Communications (Secure Radios, SATCOM Terminals, Crypto). Its NAICS code is 5174 and its SIC code is 3812.