Robotic Guard Dogs Drive Asylon to $26M Series B Success
Asylon Flexes Its Wings and Tail for a Fortified Future
Philly‑based robotics startup Asylon just announced a sleek $26 million Series B round, led by Insight Partners and backed by Veteran Ventures Capital, Allegion Ventures, and the GO PA Fund. The infusion gives the company a new runway to keep the buzz alive in the world of autonomous security.
The Evolution From Drone Craze to Guard Dog Dreams
Asylon’s beginnings were all about drones—specifically, gadgets that patrol doors and watch over facilities. Their flagship sky‑walker even swaps out its own batteries like a genius robot on a caffeine cycle.
Fast forward, and the venture has an entire line-up: drones for aerial surveillance, DroneDog—a custom‑built version of Boston Dynamics’ infamous Spot—and a command‑and‑control platform dubbed Guardian. Together, they form a full‑blown Robotic Security as a Service (RaaS).
How RaaS Works (In Plain English)
- Ground patrols: Robots replace tired guard dogs, roaming secure premises without needing vet visits or kibble.
- Flying cameras: Drones sweep the sky, covering zones that fixed cameras can’t see.
- Sniff‑tastic robots: DroneDogs can sniff out gas leaks or dangerous chemicals—no leash required.
- Safe zones: In places unsafe for humans or real dogs, the robots take the floor.
All of this comes for roughly $100,000–$150,000 per year, a price tag similar to hiring a human bodyguard crew. In short, Asylon turns future‑tech protection into an everyday staple.
The Finances: A Quick Look
The startup, founded in 2015, had already raked in around $21 million through late‑stage deals and government grants. This new round bumps their total capital to a solid $45 million. CEO Damon Henry calls the fundraising journey “tough.”
Why Funding Is Happening Now
Following the tragic death of UnitedHealthcare’s former CEO, Brian Thompson, there’s a renewed urgency around corporate safety. Companies are spending hard on home and facility security—enter DroneDog’s 21‑st century brain‑and‑bark solution.
Henry shares an anecdote: “I met every investor in this round at a New York Tech Week event. When we decided to raise, we already had warmed‑up introductions from folks who know security budgets are booming.”
The Bottom Line
With a fresh $26 million boost, Asylon is set to roll out larger fleets of drones and guard dogs alike. The company’s promise of autonomous surveillance, combined with a touch of humor and heartfelt commitment to safety, has investors nodding along. If you’re looking for a robotic security team that doesn’t fuss about dirt or collars, Asylon might just be the answer—powered by drones, guarded by dogs, and supported by smart software.
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Netflix, ElevenLabs, Wayve, Sequoia Capital — just a few of the heavy hitters joining the Disrupt 2025 agenda. They’re here to deliver the insights that fuel startup growth and sharpen your edge. Don’t miss the 20th anniversary of TechCrunch Disrupt, and a chance to learn from the top voices in tech — grab your ticket now and save up to $675 before prices rise.
From MIT Dorms to Drone Glory
San Francisco, Oct 27‑29, 2025
Meet Henry and his two co‑founders, Adam Mohamed (CTO) and Brent McLaughlin (COO). They were once roommates in a cramped MIT dorm, swapping espresso after lectures. Unlike the usual “drop out for the sizzle” Silicon Valley saga, they kept their mortarboards on and landed jobs at aerospace giants—GE Aviation, Boeing, and Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory.
Everything changed in 2015 when Amazon announced its drone‑delivery plan. The trio had a lightbulb moment:
- Forget the sky‑high salaries.
- Launch a company that delivers things in the air.
- Skip the fluff—dive straight into drone tech.
That vision birthed Asylon, which got its first serious client in 2019: Ford. Two years later, a potential dead‑end loomed—a live demo that could either make or break them.
The Night Before the Demo
It was a stormy, electric night. The first prototype crashed, splattering debris like a failed fireworks show. Henry could almost hear the company’s reputation crumble, like a building of glass struck by a rogue drone.
Undeterred, one employee stayed awake, delivering a second drone all night. The founders raced against time, wrenching, tweaking, and praying. When the demo finally started, the drones performed flawlessly.
Henry’s voice on retelling the moment was something like:
“The system flew consistently, perfectly all day long.”
One Demo, Two Thousand Miles of Success
- Secured three Fortune 500 customers.
- Won the first DoD contract on the same day.
- Expanded to 65 talented employees.
- Systems now operating in 15 states.
Why This Matters
From campus hacks to national contracts, Asylon’s journey proves that perseverance beats overnight fame. They’ve taken a glitch—literal—and turned it into a showcase that turned skeptics into believers.
Event attendance? Three big names hopped in. The demo? A flawless flight. The result? A path paved with steady growth and a team that’s ready for the next big leap.
So next time a drone crashes, remember Henry, Adam, and Brent: they didn’t quit. They just re‑flown, and the world followed.
