sees.ai
Category: Robotics / Embodied AI
An AI-powered operating system for autonomous drone operations at scale, enabling Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) operations for critical infrastructure inspection. sees.ai was founded in 2018. The company is led by John McKenna. Based in Chichester, United Kingdom. Team size: 11-50. Total funding raised: ~$5.1M total (all rounds). Latest round: Series A. Key investors include Sustainable Future Ventures, Hearst Ventures, Elbow Beach Capital, WakeUp Capital.
- Founded
- 2018
- Headquarters
- Chichester, United Kingdom
- Team size
- 11-50
- Total funding
- ~$5.1M total (all rounds)
Value proposition
To enable safe, efficient, and scalable autonomous drone operations Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS), reducing the need for human pilots on-site while providing high-fidelity asset condition data optimized for AI/ML analysis
Products and solutions
AI-powered autonomous flight system for industrial drones acting as an Operating System for UAVs, Centralized command and control platform for drone fleet management, Specialized solutions for electricity grid inspection and monitoring, Offshore wind turbine inspection systems, Methane emissions monitoring for oil and gas facilities
Unique value
sees.ai's core innovation is a centralized, AI-powered system for managing and operating drone fleets from a remote command center, enabling Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) operations. They were the first company authorized by the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) for commercial BVLOS drone operations without a visual observer.
Target customer
Companies with critical infrastructure that requires regular inspection and monitoring, particularly electricity grid operators, offshore wind farms, and oil & gas facilities
Industries served
Energy, Utilities, Infrastructure, Offshore Wind, Oil & Gas
Technology advantage
The company's technology automates complex drone missions for infrastructure inspection, which is safer and more efficient than manual methods. Their proprietary technology stack integrates systems via the Cloud and supports third-party hardware, operational workflows, and regulatory compliance.
How they differentiate
sees.ai differentiates through its software-first approach to BVLOS operations, providing a centralized autonomous command and control platform that enables remote pilots to operate drone fleets from a central control room, rather than focusing on hardware or on-site piloting like competitors
Main competitors
Percepto, Skydio, Cyberhawk
Key partnerships
National Grid, Vodafone, NATS, Microsoft, Marshall, Sony, Lloyd's Register
Notable customers
National Grid, Atkins, Skanska, Vodafone
Major milestones
First company in the UK to receive authorization from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) for commercial Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) drone operations without visual observer, Secured £3.65 million funding round in October 2025, Landmark contract with National Grid to deploy autonomous inspection technology across 7,200 km of UK electricity transmission network, Secured BVLOS regulatory authorization from the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) under PDRA G-03 in June 2025, Named among Top 25 UK Climate Tech Startups to Watch in 2026 by Tech Nation, Secured FCC Conditional Approval to deploy autonomous drones for U.S. electricity grids in April 2026, Published National Grid case study confirming full business-as-usual centralised autonomous drone inspections across the transmission network (August 2026)
Growth metrics
Headcount grown to ~45-50 by Aug 2026 (from 25–35 target in 2025 funding plan); National Grid network-wide BAU autonomous BVLOS inspections across ~7,200 km transmission network; FCC Conditional Approval for U.S. grid deployment (Apr 2026); published National Grid case study (Aug 2026)
Market positioning
sees.ai is positioned as a technology-forward company focused on enabling safe, scalable, and efficient drone inspections for large industrial and critical infrastructure clients, with regulatory leadership being first to achieve UK CAA BVLOS authorization
Geographic focus
Primary focus on UK market with headquarters in Chichester, but expanding operations with recent £3.65M funding round to support international growth
Patents and IP
Information not publicly available
About John McKenna
John McKenna previously served as Managing Director at BeTomorrow UK, Investment Advisor to Makani Power (later inside Google X), Group Commercial Director at OC Sport (joined as 6th employee, company grew to 100+ staff before acquisition), Consultant at Marakon Associates, and Structural Engineer at ARUP. He brings 18+ years of commercial expertise in high-growth startups and private companies.
More Robotics / Embodied AI companies
Official website: https://www.sees.ai/