APSTEC

What APSTEC does

Apstec Systems is a Swedish-headquartered (Apstec Sweden AB (publ), Stockholm) security-screening vendor that builds AI-driven, multi-modal people-screening systems for the detection of explosives, weapons, narcotics and cash on people and in their hand-carried or body-worn bags. The portfolio spans five core products — HSR (centimeter-wave mass people screening at up to 6,000 people/hour), HSS Falcon (millimeter-wave plus passive magnetometry, 2,500/hour, mobile), Falcon Plus (dual-technology back-to-back configuration), Apstec Merlin (AI-driven discriminative metal detection, launched January 2026) and the customs-focused Falcon Select — all built around Automatic Threat Recognition using proprietary AI/ML on fused sensor data, with free-flow walkthrough operation that requires no stopping or divestment. The business operates a distributed, channel-led GTM: hardware manufacturing, warehousing and service are based in Estonia (Apstec Systems Estonia OÜ), with sales offices in Sweden and Finland and a distributor network covering more than 30 countries across EMEA, APAC, MENA, Africa and the Americas, supplying airports, customs authorities, military and intelligence services, ministries of interior, transport hubs and major venues such as Kansai International Airport, Brussels South Charleroi Airport, Koelnmesse and the Cannes Film Festival. Revenue is generated primarily through outright hardware sales with bespoke quote-based pricing, supplemented by an OPEX/leasing option, professional services (installation, training, certification, maintenance) and channel-reseller margins; pricing is not publicly disclosed and the website explicitly disclaims online-sale intent.

Name

APSTEC

Legal name

Apstec Sweden AB (publ)

Website

https://apstecsystems.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2007

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Apstec Systems (Apstec Sweden AB (publ)) builds AI-driven, multi-modal walkthrough security screening systems (HSR, Falcon, Falcon Plus, Merlin, Falcon Select) that detect explosives, weapons and narcotics in real time, selling capital hardware and OPEX leases to airports, customs, ministries, and major venues across more than 30 countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Security Screening Systems

NAICS

Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing (334511), Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing (33451), Other Measuring and Controlling Device Manufacturing (334519)

SIC

Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812), Industrial Instruments For Measurement, Display, And Control (3823), Measuring & Controlling Devices, Nec (3829)

akta.pro primary industry

Surveillance & Identification Avionics (ADS-B/Transponders/TCAS) (IMABAFAM)

akta.pro secondary industries

Guidance, Navigation & Control (GNC) Electronics for Weapons (IMABAGAH), Autonomous Defense Systems (AI/ML, Swarming, MUM-T) (IMABAOAI)

Keywords

• People screening technology
• AI threat detection
• Security screening systems
• Walkthrough metal detection
• Explosives detection equipment

Headquarters

HQ city

Nicosia

HQ country

Cyprus

HQ region

Europe

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Hardware System Sales: Primary revenue stream: sale of capital screening equipment (HSR, HSS Falcon, Falcon Plus, Merlin and Falcon Select). Customers typically procure systems outright (Koelnmesse purchased HSR) for permanent or semi-permanent deployment. High-value, multi-stakeholder enterprise sales with complex procurement and tender processes.
2. Leasing / OPEX-based Deployment: Leasing security solutions provides predictable OPEX cost, eliminates depreciation complexity, and allows technology upgrades without lock-in. Particularly suited for organisations with seasonal visitor patterns (event companies, cultural institutions, exhibition organisers) that do not require full capacity year-round; pilot installations can validate ROI before larger commitment.
3. Local Channel-Supported Distribution: Distributed business model with operations and manufacturing, warehousing, logistics and service entities in Estonia and a partner network of security systems distributors in over 30 countries that sell to, service and support customers locally — generating downstream revenue through channel sales and value-added reseller margins.
4. Professional Services (Installation, Training, Support): Apstec works proactively with public authorities to ensure solutions are rigorously tested; distributor and direct teams deliver installation, integration, training, certification, and ongoing service & maintenance — supporting the equipment sale lifecycle.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion4 records

Core offering

Apstec develops and sells AI-driven, high-throughput walkthrough security screening systems (HSR, HSS Falcon, Falcon Plus, Apstec Merlin, Falcon Select) that combine millimeter-wave, centimeter-wave, passive magnetometry and active induction balance sensors with proprietary machine-learning algorithms to automatically detect explosives, weapons, narcotics, pyrotechnics and cash on people and in their hand-carried bags in real time, without requiring divestment. The systems are sold as capital equipment to airports, customs agencies, mass transit, stadiums, exhibitions, hotels and tourist venues worldwide, complemented by installation, training, support and an OPEX/leasing option.

Product overview

Apstec offers a portfolio of complementary, non-invasive security screening products rather than a single unified platform, all built around AI/ML-based automatic threat recognition. The portfolio is anchored by HSR (Human Security Radar), the world's first mass people screening solution, and HSS Falcon, a high-throughput walkthrough that screens people, hand-carried bags, and wheeled cabin-sized luggage for explosives, weapons, and narcotics. Falcon Plus layers Merlin's Discriminative Metal Detection onto Falcon's millimeter wave capability to discriminate threats from everyday items, while Merlin stands alone as a cost-effective AI-driven discriminative metal detection system for publicly accessible venues. Falcon Select extends the portfolio into customs with EU-funded non-intrusive screening for body-worn drugs. Together, HSR, Falcon, Falcon Plus, Merlin, and Falcon Select address use cases including airports, stadiums, customs, maritime ports and cruise liners, exhibitions and conferences, hotels, and tourist attractions and iconic landmarks.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Human Security Radar (HSR): Apstec's flagship walkthrough mass people screening system, providing real-time, free-flow automatic threat detection for explosives and weapons at high throughput (up to 6,000 people/hour).
• HSS Falcon
• Falcon Plus
• Apstec Merlin
• Falcon Select

Products and services

• HSR (Human Security Radar)

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability7 records

Feature7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• L3Harris Technologies (Security & Detection Systems): US defense prime with a security and detection systems business supplying people-screening, X-ray and trace-detection solutions for aviation, ports and critical infrastructure. Overlaps with Apstec at airports and customs use cases, but operates as a much larger defense-and-security platform with broader product and geographic reach.
• Smiths Detection: A division of Smiths Group and the global market leader in airport security screening, including walkthrough metal detectors, X-ray, CT and trace detection. Directly comparable to Apstec's HSR, Falcon and Merlin across aviation, customs and mass-transit use cases, though Smiths operates at materially greater scale and across a much broader product portfolio.
• Rapiscan Systems: OSI Systems subsidiary providing X-ray, metal detection and cargo/people screening for aviation, ports, borders and critical infrastructure. Comparable to Apstec's airport and customs applications, with a far larger installed base and broader portfolio spanning X-ray, computed tomography and trace detection.
• Rohde & Schwarz (Security Scanner division): German electronics group whose R&S QPS walkthrough millimeter-wave people scanner is deployed at airports worldwide. Direct competitor to Apstec HSR and Falcon in the aviation security lane, with deep incumbent relationships at major European airports.

Direct peers

• Nuctech: Chinese security-screening vendor backed by Tsinghua University/Tsinghua Tongfang, supplying X-ray, millimeter-wave, walkthrough metal detectors and cargo scanners to airports, customs and government worldwide. Directly competes with Apstec in AI-enabled walkthrough people screening and customs narcotics/explosives detection, particularly in emerging markets.
• Astrophysics Inc. US manufacturer of X-ray inspection systems for aviation, ports, border and critical infrastructure security. Comparable to Apstec in airports and customs screening procurement, with overlapping channel partners and end customers, though operating primarily in the X-ray category rather than millimeter-wave/AI.
• CEIA: Italian manufacturer of walkthrough metal detectors and electromagnetic screening products used in airports, public venues, correctional facilities and government sites. Most directly comparable to Apstec Merlin's Discriminative Metal Detection proposition, with strong incumbency in EMEA but a more traditional (non-AI) technical approach.
• Metrasens: UK-based specialist in ferromagnetic detection and advanced metal-detection screening for corrections, healthcare and high-security facilities. Comparable to Apstec Merlin in the discriminative metal detection category, with overlapping channels in EMEA and similar customer profiles in regulated public-sector accounts.

Emerging players

• Evolv Technology: US-based AI-driven weapons-detection screening vendor using sensor fusion and machine learning for high-throughput free-flow people screening at stadiums, schools and venues. Most directly comparable to Apstec's HSR and Falcon in US K-12, sports and event security, though Evolv focuses on outdoor venue screening rather than aviation/customs.
• Liberty Defense (now part of Patriot One Technologies rebranded portfolio): Canada-based weapons-detection screening vendor with AI/millimeter-wave walkthrough systems targeting airports, stadiums and public venues. Closest emerging competitor to Apstec's HSR/Falcon proposition in North America, with similar throughput and free-flow UX claims.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/apstec-systems

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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 APSTEC