Percepto, a leading provider of autonomous inspection and monitoring solutions, has announced a successful Series C funding round, raising a combined $67 million in equity and debt financing. The round was led by Koch Disruptive Technologies (KDT), with participation from new investors Zimmer Partners and one of the largest energy companies in the United States. Existing investors, including U.S. Venture Partners, Delek US Holdings, Atento Capital, Spider Capital, and Arkin Holdings, also contributed to the funding. With this latest investment, Percepto's total funding now exceeds $120 million.
Percepto recently received an unprecedented nationwide Beyond Line of Sight (BVLOS) waiver from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). This waiver enables Percepto to deploy remotely-operated automated drones for critical infrastructure inspections across the United States without requiring site-specific approvals from the FAA. The waiver is a significant milestone for the industry, removing logistical and cost barriers associated with drone operations, such as the need for ground personnel or radar systems. This development is expected to accelerate the adoption of autonomous drone technology.
Dor Abuhasira, Co-founder and CEO of Percepto, expressed his enthusiasm for the support from Koch Disruptive Technologies, stating, "KDT’s reinvestment underlines their confidence in our ability to make companies more profitable by keeping infrastructure operational in the face of the unpredictable." Abuhasira also highlighted the increasing recognition of the benefits of autonomous and remote drone operations for facility inspections and data analysis. With the additional funding, strategic investors, and favorable regulations, Percepto is well-positioned to meet the rising demand for automated drone inspections and monitoring in industrial settings.
The heavy industry sector faces numerous challenges, including maintaining reliable critical infrastructure, meeting productivity targets, and enhancing safety in hazardous environments with aging assets. Percepto's solutions address these challenges by providing real-time visibility into infrastructure integrity and detecting potential failures before they escalate.
Abuhasira cited a specific example where Percepto's Air Max OGI drone enabled an oil and gas customer to detect a methane gas leak within hours, potentially saving millions of dollars, minimizing safety risks, and preventing environmental damage that could have occurred if conventional methods were employed.
Chase Koch, Founder and CEO of Koch Disruptive Technologies, emphasized Percepto's significant role in enhancing the accessibility of automated drones for industrial inspection and monitoring. Koch acknowledged the deployment of Percepto's technology across various Koch companies, experiencing firsthand how the company's research and development efforts improve inspection and monitoring processes. He commended Percepto's work in establishing a clear regulatory path for drone technology, positioning the company as a leader in the industry. Koch expressed excitement about the ongoing partnership with Percepto as they continue to set new standards for safety, efficiency, and sustainability in industrial operations.
Percepto's flagship solution, Percepto Autonomous Inspection & Monitoring (AIM), combines autonomous drones, robots, and AI to provide an end-to-end visual inspection solution for critical infrastructure sites. AIM automates the entire inspection workflow, from data collection to AI-powered analysis and insights. The solution enables faster detection of issues such as gas leaks, overheating, and infrastructure deterioration, empowering companies to take proactive measures to enhance productivity while minimizing environmental and safety risks. Siemens Energy, one of Percepto's customers, highlighted the value of Percepto's AI technology in maximizing efficiency and ensuring a safe working environment, aligning with environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) goals.
Illai Gescheit, Siemens Energy Venture Partner, expressed admiration for Percepto's growth in a dynamic market and affirmed their commitment to collaborating with the company to drive regulatory advancements and innovations in drone technology. Gescheit emphasized the potential of Percepto's AI-driven solutions to deliver commercial value while fulfilling customers' environmental responsibilities.
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