![Birdstop](https://dronelife.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Screen-Shot-2023-08-08-at-11.10.31-AM-300x126.png)
by DRONELIFE Staff Author Ian M. Crosby
Distant sensing company Birdstop has secured $2.3M in funding for the needs of growing its BVLOS network, improving its AI capabilities, and providing customers with more data-driven value. Led by Lerer Hippeau, the funding round saw participation from Anorak Ventures, Correlation Ventures, Data Tech Fund, Graph Ventures, Techstars, Timberline Holdings, in addition to strategic investors Talon Aerolytics.
Birdstop operates a nationwide drone network utilizing a variety of risk mitigation measures, including a low altitude airspace deconfliction system to ensure the very best degree of safety even when the operator is 1000’s of miles away. The corporate has received several leading FAA approvals to perform elaborate BVLOS operations.
Birdstop monitors and protects critical infrastructure corresponding to power grids and telecom networks, along with mobilizing on-demand distant sensing for emergencies corresponding to natural disasters or security breaches. Currently, Birdstop coverage is lively in several states corresponding to Alabama, California, and Texas. Alongside infrastructure users, greater than 20 other industries including agriculture, construction, and first response, could make use of Birdstop coverage for improved situational awareness and real-time intelligence.
Having recently opened a brand new R&D facility in Alabama, Birdstop has began scaling production of its systems, starting with its airspace intelligence beacon.
The corporate was founded by CEO Keith Miao, a former Google data scientist and Earth Institute satellite imagery researcher. Also on the team are Head of Software Jatin Kolekar, who brings a decade of experience on the frontier of drone technology, Software Engineer Robert Reynoso, who operated a worldwide network of Web balloons at Google Loon, and Principal R&D Engineer Timothy McPhail, who managed cellular infrastructure with drone imaging at American Tower.
“While we use Google Maps daily, we don’t think concerning the satellites involved. At Birdstop, we’re doing the identical thing with drones: our customers get real-time intel and the drones themselves are invisible to them. We’re delivering real-time visibility into their assets, without the complexities of drones, robotics and FAA rules and regs. They will simply dial into their assets in real time, on demand.”
“Developments in drone technology and Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) regulation over the past decade is allowing Birdstop’s vision to be feasible for the primary time. Birdstop is perfectly positioned to scale this up,” said Andrea Hippeau, partner at Lerer Hippeau.
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