Detectachem

What Detectachem does

DetectaChem is a privately-held Texas-based manufacturer of handheld drug, explosive, and chemical detection solutions, headquartered in Sugar Land and operating a wholly-owned German subsidiary (DetectaChem GmbH) for EMEA sales and marketing. The company serves U.S. and allied government customers across law enforcement, the U.S. Military (all branches), HAZMAT and first responders, correctional facilities, and border security agencies. Its product portfolio spans three device families: MobileDetect consumable test pouches, strips, and field kits paired with a free iOS/Android companion app; SEEKERe and SEEKER Pro ruggedized trace detectors developed with the U.S. Department of Defense; and the Apex R7 pocket-sized Raman spectrometer with a 24,000+ item identification library, alongside the newly announced MobileNIR near-infrared analyzer and the APEX Fusion integrated unit.

The underlying technology combines proprietary colorimetric chemistries (protected by multiple utility and design patents), removable trace swabs, patented rigid enclosures, and a Spectrum Matrix Analysis algorithm that automates result interpretation without manual color-reference charts. The MobileDetect App applies computer-vision-based colorimetric analysis that compensates for ambient lighting, while the Apex R7 Raman library supports identification of unknown solids, liquids, and mixtures in under 20 seconds. DetectaChem holds a DEA license enabling rapid adaptation to emerging drug threats, and its chemistries are NIJ-standard for use as presumptive evidence in court.

The company’s revenue model pairs quote-based hardware sales (SEEKERe, SEEKER Pro, Apex R7) with a recurring consumable stream from single-use test pouches, strips, and detection cards priced $9.99–$299.99 per retail box, plus configurable ruggedized field kits priced $140–$1,185. Distribution runs through a direct enterprise field-sales motion with Net 30 terms extended to government agencies, a public e-commerce storefront, and the German subsidiary for EMEA. The company has reported 100,000+ active users of the MobileDetect App and quotes testimonials from law enforcement agencies across Indiana, South Carolina, Texas, Washington, Connecticut, Tennessee, and Oklahoma.

Name

Detectachem

Legal name

DetectaChem Inc.

Website

https://detectachem.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2005

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

DetectaChem is a Texas-based manufacturer of handheld drug, explosive, and chemical detection devices serving U.S. law enforcement, military, and first responders via its MobileDetect, SEEKERe/SEEKER Pro, and Apex R7 product lines.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Field Drug and Explosive Detection Equipment

NAICS

In-Vitro Diagnostic Substance Manufacturing (325413), Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing (334516), Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing (3345)

SIC

In Vitro & In Vivo Diagnostic Substances (2835), Laboratory Analytical Instruments (3826)

akta.pro primary industry

Forensic & Anti-Counterfeit Testing (Product Integrity) (HLAGADAM)

Keywords

• Field drug testing
• Explosive detection devices
• Raman spectroscopy
• Colorimetric detection kits
• Trace threat detection

Headquarters

HQ city

Stafford

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Handheld Detection Devices: Sale of SEEKERe, SEEKER Pro, and Apex R7 handheld screening devices. Pricing requires quote requests for handheld devices. SEEKERe comes in ruggedized case with device, 20 detection cards, USB cable, charger/power supply, USB storage, alcohol wipes, and quick-start guide.
2. Consumable Test Kits and Cards: Recurring sales of single-use test pouches, test strips, and detection cards. Products include Multi-Drug Test Pouches, Fentanyl Test Strips, Specialty Test Pouches for explosives, and detection cards for SEEKERe/SEEKER Pro devices.
3. Field Kits and Accessories: Ruggedized field cases with customizable test kit configurations and accessories like Nitrile Safety Gloves

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Detectachem manufactures and sells handheld drug, explosive, and chemical detection devices (SEEKERe, SEEKER Pro, Apex R7 Raman Spectrometer, MobileNIR), along with consumable colorimetric test pouches, test strips, and proprietary detection cards. Its products are used by law enforcement, military, and first responders for rapid presumptive field identification, and are integrated with the free MobileDetect App that automates result interpretation and generates court-admissible reports with GPS mapping.

Product overview

Detectachem is a Texas-based manufacturer offering a comprehensive portfolio of handheld drug detection, explosive detection, and chemical identification solutions for law enforcement, military, and first responders. The product ecosystem consists of three main device lines: MobileDetect (smartphone-connected colorimetric test kits and strips), SEEKERe/SEEKER Pro (ruggedized handheld detectors with proprietary detection cards), and Apex R7 (portable Raman spectrometers). All products integrate with the free MobileDetect companion app for automated analysis and reporting. The company holds a DEA license enabling rapid adaptation to evolving drug threats, and products are manufactured in the USA.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• MobileDetect: Brand for drug and explosive test pouches, strips, and field kits with companion mobile app for automated detection and reporting.
• SEEKERe
• SEEKER Pro
• APEX R7
• APEX Fusion

Products and services

• SEEKERe Handheld Detector Rugged, portable handheld explosive and drug detector developed in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Defense. Sold to military, law enforcement, and first responder buyers in MDK (Multi-Detection), EDK (Explosive Detection), and DDK (Drug Detection) configurations.
• SEEKER Pro Handheld Detector Advanced handheld drug and explosive detector with Spectrum Matrix Analysis technology, LCD touchscreen, 100,000 test result storage, and 12+ hour battery life. Developed with the U.S. Department of Defense for military, law enforcement, and first responder buyers.
• Apex R7 Raman Spectrometer Pocket-sized Raman spectrometer for point-and-shoot identification of drugs, explosives, toxic industrial chemicals, precursors, plastics, and household materials with a 24,000+ item library. Powered by connected smartphones or tablets; results in 20 seconds or less for military, law enforcement, and first responder use.
• APEX Fusion Integrated Raman spectrometer pairing APEX R7 technology with a dedicated smart device in a single rugged all-in-one unit. Designed for simplified, secure, reliable chemical identification in austere field environments.
• MobileDetect Drug and Explosive Test Kits Comprehensive drug and explosive detection platform of single-use test pouches, test strips, and field kits with a free companion app that automates colorimetric analysis and report generation using smartphone cameras. Sold to law enforcement, corrections, and first responder buyers.
• MobileDetect Fentanyl Test Strip Ultra-sensitive consumable test strip for nanogram-level fentanyl detection including analogues such as carfentanil and acetyl fentanyl. Sold in boxes of 10 kits with buffer tubes, swabs, and analysis charts for law enforcement and first responders.
• MobileDetect Field Kits Ruggedized case kits bundling MobileDetect test pouches and strips in 30- and 40-pouch configurations, including drug field kits, explosives field kits, and corrections-specific kits. Sold to law enforcement, corrections, and first responder buyers.
• MobileNIR Field Analyzer Rapid, point-and-shoot field analysis device for instant drug identification including organic substances, powered by the MobileDetect App. Currently available for preorder to law enforcement and first responder buyers.
• Apex R7 Pro Combo Kit Combined kit pairing the Apex R7 Raman Spectrometer with the SEEKER Pro detector to deliver Raman chemical identification plus trace explosive and drug detection in one integrated package.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 100,000 active users worldwide using MobileDetect platform
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

AI capability4 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• U.S. Department of DefensecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative development partnership for SEEKERe, SEEKER Pro, and Apex R7 products. Technology developed in cooperation with DoD requirements for military-grade detection capabilities.
• DetectaChem GmbHcoreOthersWholly-owned subsidiary in Germany registered at Amtsgericht Rostock HRB 15709. Functions as Sales and Marketing entity covering Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA).

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Smiths Detection: A global leader in threat detection and screening technologies for aviation, military, and security markets, offering handheld and fixed-site chemical and explosive detection solutions. Directly comparable to DetectaChem's SEEKER/SEEKER Pro product line for military and EOD customers, though at much larger scale.
• Thermo Fisher Scientific (Handheld Raman): Through its TruScan and other handheld Raman offerings, Thermo Fisher competes directly with the Apex R7 in portable chemical identification for first responders, pharma, and security use cases. Significantly larger balance sheet and broader installed base make it a key competitive incumbent.
• Rapiscan Systems: Provider of security inspection and detection solutions across aviation, border, and military markets. Overlaps with DetectaChem in trace explosive detection and offers comparable technology at much broader scale.
• B&W Tek (Metrohm): Portable Raman spectrometer manufacturer (now part of Metrohm) competing with the Apex R7 in handheld chemical identification for pharma, security, and academic markets.

Direct peers

• NIK Public Safety (Safariland Group): Manufacturer of NIK field drug test kits — explicitly named by DetectaChem's own customers as the incumbent comparison product. Competes head-to-head with MobileDetect test pouches and strips in presumptive field drug testing for law enforcement.
• NARK (Safariland Group): Long-standing brand of field drug identification kits for law enforcement. Direct substitute product for DetectaChem's MobileDetect line in presumptive drug testing, with established distribution and procurement history.
• Sirchie: Manufacturer of forensic, crime scene investigation, and field drug testing products for law enforcement. Directly comparable to DetectaChem's law enforcement-focused drug detection kits and field kits.

Emerging players

• Defentect Group: Provider of chemical, biological, radiological, and explosive threat detection solutions for facility security and first responders. Comparable product positioning for security and HAZMAT applications, though with a different distribution model.
• 908 Devices: Developer of handheld and desktop mass spectrometry and chemical detection devices for safety, security, and life sciences markets. Represents the next-generation detection modality that could compete with Raman and colorimetric detection long-term.

Others

• Renishaw (Raman Spectroscopy): Raman spectroscopy technology provider serving pharmaceutical, materials, and research markets. While not directly competing in field drug detection, Renishaw's spectroscopy platforms represent the broader Raman ecosystem in which DetectaChem's Apex R7 competes for technical credibility and library content.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/detectachem
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/DetectaChem
• Facebookfacebook.com/detectachem
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/detectachem
• Instagraminstagram.com/detectachem

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

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 Detectachem