AI software company Vizgard has raised £1.5 million in an oversubscribed funding round led by Sure Valley Ventures, with support from Midwich Ignite and Focal. The funding will accelerate the development of its FortifAI platform, an AI-powered system that enhances security cameras, counter-drone technologies, and unmanned vehicles through real-time threat detection and autonomous camera control.
Founded in 2021 by former Royal Navy submariner Alex Kehoe, Vizgard addresses critical gaps in defence and public safety systems. FortifAI combines advanced deep learning with traditional computer vision to deliver robust performance in complex scenarios. Its proprietary Behaviour Risk Index algorithm calculates danger probability scores while preserving privacy through automated facial blurring. This technology is capable of identifying nuanced safety threats, such as individuals at risk of attack or self-harm, and triggering automatic alerts.
The funding will support Vizgard’s efforts to scale its engineering and expand internationally. Kehoe emphasized the importance of deploying reliable AI systems that operate effectively across land, air, and sea, stating that their technology ensures faster, independent, and collaborative system responses.
Brian Kinane of Sure Valley Ventures highlighted Vizgard’s potential to lead in AI vision automation, addressing the growing need for precision camera automation in security and defence.
