London-based AI firm Vizgard has raised £1.5 million in an oversubscribed funding round. Founded in 2021 by ex-Royal Navy submariner Alex Kehoe, Vizgard is pioneering real-time threat detection technology that promises to automate security like never before.
The funding round was led by Sure Valley Ventures, with additional investments from Midwich Ignite and Focal. This financial injection will help Vizgard scale its operations and cement its position as a global leader in AI-powered vision automation.
Kehoe expressed his vision for the UK’s potential in defence AI:
“The UK has all the ingredients to lead the world in defence AI, but the pace of transitioning from Proof of Concept to deployment is lagging. Our new investors share our mission to fully automate the cameras that protect us, while maintaining public privacy.”
At the heart of Vizgard’s innovation is its proprietary platform, FortifAI. Designed for versatility, it enhances a wide range of systems, from security cameras and counter-drone technologies to unmanned vehicles. By leveraging low-power processors, FortifAI delivers precise, real-time threat identification and automates camera control, significantly reducing the workload for human operators.
The company’s innovative solutions are already making waves. Vizgard has secured contracts with major entities, including the Ministry of Defence, the Home Office, and several leading defence tech companies. Notable partnerships include collaborations with Sesanti, a British camera manufacturer, and various police departments with national reach.
Vizgard is also playing a pivotal role in groundbreaking projects, such as a £12 million Innovate UK consortium led by Altitude Angel. The project aims to create a 165-mile drone superhighway, with Vizgard providing critical AI vision systems. In addition, the firm recently landed a Home Office contract to develop a portable knife-detection solution powered by FortifAI.
Explaining the firm’s unique approach, Kehoe said:
“From the beginning, we focused on developing AI that could deliver the most immediate impact – operating at the edge, within or near moving cameras. Whether on land, in the air, or at sea, this ensures faster reactions, independence in GPS or communication blackouts, and enhanced collaboration for actionable insights.”
With this fresh funding and a growing portfolio of impactful projects, Vizgard is well on its way to becoming a leader in defence and public safety technology. As the demand for innovative, efficient, and privacy-conscious solutions rises, Vizgard’s cutting-edge AI is ready to meet the challenge.