Robot guard dogs assist Asylon in raising a $26M Series B

Philadelphia-based robotics company Asylon recently announced that it secured a $26 million Series B funding round led by Insight Partners, with support from Veteran Ventures Capital, Allegion Ventures, and the GO PA Fund. Originally focused on drones for facility security, Asylon is most recognized for its drone equipped with a robotic arm capable of changing its own batteries. Additionally, the company offers a robotic guard dog service called DroneDog, which takes the renowned Boston Dynamics robot dog Spot and tailors it for security operations in conjunction with its command-and-control Guardian software, offering a comprehensive robotic security solution as a service. Utilizing ground patrols with robot dogs and aerial cameras that can cover more ground than stationary cameras, DroneDogs can be deployed to hazardous areas where humans or real dogs may be at risk, conducting tasks such as detecting gas leaks or harmful chemicals.

Founded in 2015, Asylon had not previously raised substantial venture capital compared to other drone and robotics companies, garnering around $21 million in previous funding rounds alongside government grants, totaling approximately $45 million in funding to date. Following the tragic death of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in December, companies have increased investments in CEO home and facility security solutions like DroneDog, with Asylon’s RaaS potentially costing between $100,000 to $150,000 annually, akin to hiring a human bodyguard service. Despite challenges in fundraising, CEO Damon Henry highlighted the positive impact of meeting investors at a New York Tech Week event last summer, establishing warm introductions with individuals aware of the growing trend in security spending.

Tech and VC heavyweights have embraced Asylon’s Disrupt 2025 agenda, joining forces with founders Damon Henry, Adam Mohamed (CTO), and Brent McLaughlin (COO), who initially bonded as dorm roommates at MIT. Unlike the typical Silicon Valley narrative of dropping out of college, the trio pursued careers as aerospace engineers at esteemed companies like GE Aviation, Boeing, and Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory post-graduation. Inspired by Amazon’s drone delivery service announcement in 2015, they took a leap of faith to establish Asylon, securing their first customer, Ford, in 2019.

The startup faced a pivotal moment in 2021 when a drone crash threatened to derail a live demo event at Ford’s facility, jeopardizing their reputation and future prospects. Despite the setback, a determined employee managed to deliver a replacement drone in time, allowing the founders to showcase its capabilities flawlessly during the event. This success not only attracted three Fortune 500 customers but also secured their first Department of Defense (DoD) contract for the drones, propelling Asylon’s growth trajectory. With 65 employees and systems deployed across 15 states, the founders continue to steer the company towards further expansion and success.