Vizgard Company Profile

Background

Overview

Vizgard is a London-based artificial intelligence (AI) company specializing in edge-based visual autonomy software designed to automate and enhance surveillance, unmanned systems, and counter-unmanned systems. Founded in 2020 by former Royal Navy submariner Alexander Kehoe, Vizgard's mission is to fully automate the cameras that protect us, aiming to build a safer future through advanced computer vision solutions.

Mission and Vision

• Mission: To fully automate the cameras that protect us.

• Vision: To pioneer vision automation for a more peaceful and prosperous world.

Industry Significance

Vizgard addresses the growing need for reliable AI-powered automation in the defense and public safety sectors, where operational demands often outpace existing capabilities. By integrating advanced AI solutions into existing systems, Vizgard enhances situational awareness, reduces operator workload, and improves response times in time-critical scenarios.

Key Strategic Focus

Core Objectives

• Develop and deploy AI-driven solutions that enhance and automate surveillance and unmanned systems.

• Reduce operator burden and increase system efficiency through task automation.

• Ensure privacy and security in AI applications, including features like real-time face redaction.

Areas of Specialization

• Edge-based visual autonomy software for defense and public safety applications.

• Integration of AI with unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs), and counter-unmanned aerial systems (C-UAS).

• Development of AI solutions for long-range surveillance and public safety monitoring.

Key Technologies Utilized

• Proprietary AI platform, FortifAI, for real-time threat detection and camera automation.

• VizEdge, a rugged, wearable AI device for real-time sensor data processing at the tactical edge.

• VGroundControl, an AI-enhanced multi-UxV and PTZ control software.

Primary Markets Targeted

• Defense and military sectors.

• Public safety and law enforcement agencies.

• Critical infrastructure protection.

Financials and Funding

Funding History

• Seed Funding (March 2021): Raised $302,000.

• Grant (August 2022): Received $804,000.

• Seed Round (December 2022): Raised an undisclosed amount.

• Accelerator/Incubator (March 2023): Participated in an accelerator program.

• Secondary Transaction (Private): Details undisclosed.

Total Funds Raised

As of the latest available data, Vizgard has raised approximately $1.1 million.

Notable Investors

• Sure Valley Ventures.

• Midwich Ignite.

• Focal.

• Village Capital.

• Innovate UK.

Utilization of Capital

The funds have been allocated to scale engineering and business development capabilities, establish international distribution channels, and accelerate growth in the defense and public safety sectors.

Pipeline Development

Key Projects and Collaborations

• Innovate UK Consortium: Part of a £12 million consortium led by Altitude Angel, developing a 165-mile drone superhighway.

• Home Office Contract: Awarded a contract to develop a portable knife-detection solution powered by FortifAI.

• Royal Navy Trials: Completed sea trials on the Royal Navy’s uncrewed submarine, deploying FortifAI to enhance platform safety and extend autonomous voyages.

• US Army Collaboration: Selected to participate in the Army Expeditionary Warrior Experiment (AEWE) 2022, showcasing FortifAI's capabilities in reducing operator burden in drone and counter-UAS systems.

Anticipated Milestones

• Further development and deployment of AI solutions in defense and public safety sectors.

• Expansion of FortifAI's capabilities and integration with additional platforms.

• Strengthening partnerships with government agencies and defense contractors.

Technological Platform and Innovation

Proprietary Technologies

• FortifAI: An edge-based visual autonomy engine that provides real-time threat detection, response, and decision support, enhancing situational awareness and reducing operator workload.

• VizEdge: A rugged, wearable AI device designed for real-time sensor data processing at the tactical edge, offering high-performance AI compute for instant analytics and decision-making.

• VGroundControl: An AI-enhanced multi-UxV and PTZ control software, allowing operators to control and monitor multiple AI-powered unmanned systems or ground-based cameras from a unified interface.

Significant Scientific Methods

• Integration of traditional computer vision with deep learning models to ensure robust performance in real-world scenarios.

• Development of the Behaviour Risk Index algorithm, calculating a human-explainable danger probability score while maintaining privacy through automatic face blurring.

Leadership Team

Key Executives

• Alexander Kehoe: Founder and Chief Executive Officer. Former Royal Navy submariner with extensive experience in defense and security sectors.

• Robin Clark: Chief Technology Officer. Joined in 2025 with 27 years of experience in security technology, holding senior leadership roles across government and industry, and expertise in AI, cloud security.