Drone defense startup Hidden Level Inc. announced today that it has raised $65 million in new funding to scale manufacturing, expand its headcount, support public safety and enhance its defense capabilities.

Founded in 2018, Hidden Level specializes in advanced radio frequency sensing technologies that are used to enhance airspace safety and security. The company provides real-time monitoring solutions that detect, identify and track both manned and unmanned aerial vehicles, including drones that are operating covertly.

Hidden Level’s systems use passive radar and radio frequency direction-finding techniques to provide airspace awareness without emitting detectable signals to ensure operational stealth. That allows for the identification of potential threats while maintaining compliance with privacy regulations. By not using active radar, the company’s technology is far more difficult for an adversary to detect.

The technology is deployed across various sectors, including defense, critical infrastructure and public safety, with users such as the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration and the Department of Defense using Hidden Level’s drone detection technology to safeguard sensitive areas and events.

Hidden Level’s technology, including sensor networks, works with existing systems to deliver scalable and cost-effective airspace monitoring services. The integration also provides actionable data to enhance situational awareness and inform decision-making processes.

The company’s passive radar technology detects and tracks a wide range of aerial activity, including drones —whether emitting signals, operating covertly as “dark drones,” or posing as imitations — along with aircraft, balloons and other objects in a given airspace. The technology also pinpoints the location of drone operators to provide an actionable view of aerial activity.

Hidden Level’s tech is already in the field and being used by the U.S. Army, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Africa Command, U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, U.S. Central Command, U.S. Northern Command,and other federal, state and local agencies.

The Series C round was led by DFJ Growth, with Booz Allen Ventures Inc., Revolution Growth, Costanoa Ventures, Washington Harbour Partners, Veteran Ventures and Founders Circle Capital also participating.

“Hidden Level is addressing a critical gap in our defense capabilities with advanced technologies that identify and track the proliferating UAS threats while remaining virtually undetectable,” Randy Glein from DFJ Growth said in a statement. “This capability is changing the game on the battlefield, providing an electronic surveillance shield for our forces and assets in harm’s way.”

The Series C round came after the company raised a Series B round of $35 million in 2024, taking the total raised by Hidden Level to $100 million over the last 12 months.

Image: Hidden Level