Introduction to Arondite
Arondite, a London-based DefenceTech startup, has successfully secured over €10.5 million in Seed funding from leading global investors, including a previously undisclosed €1.9 million pre-Seed round. This significant investment is a testament to the company’s innovative approach to transforming how defence organisations safely deliver "human-machine" teaming at scale.
The Founding Vision
The company was founded in 2023 by Will Blyth, a former British Army Officer, and Rob Underhill, a seasoned engineer. Blyth’s experience on the battlefield inspired the creation of Arondite, as he witnessed firsthand the importance of having the right information at the right time. He envisioned a software and AI tool that could connect defence hardware, providing teams with the necessary information, oversight, and understanding to work effectively with machines and AI without compromising safety and control.
The Problem Arondite Solves
Defence organisations, governments, and industries are increasingly relying on autonomous systems, but current approaches to leveraging these complex webs of hardware and data are not keeping pace. Arondite’s "connective tissue" approach is vital in addressing this issue, offering teams new, scalable ways to work with machines. The company’s technology has the potential to make a game-changing difference across a wide range of use cases, including minefield clearance and counter-intrusion efforts.
How Arondite Works
The software gives human operators clearer oversight and better operational control, leading to safer deployment of autonomous tools. It connects disparate hardware, acting as the "connective tissue" to allow operators to oversee systems through one interface and optimise human-machine collaboration. This reduces risks and boosts safety, while also providing a data layer that uses AI and machine learning to deliver analytics and insights to teams, driving efficiencies across organisations. The software is hardware-agnostic, meaning it can be used in any scenario where multiple autonomous systems, robots, or sensors are being deployed.
Investment and Support
The Seed round was led by Index Ventures, with Hannah Seal, Partner at Index Ventures, commenting, "We’re thrilled to support Will and Rob on their journey to enable true human-machine teaming in the autonomous age. With their rare combination of real-world experience, technical expertise, and startup acumen, they are uniquely equipped to change how people interact with robots while ensuring they safely retain control over critical decisions."
Conclusion
Arondite’s innovative approach to human-machine teaming has the potential to revolutionise the defence industry. With its Seed funding in place, the company is well-positioned to drive growth and development, providing defence organisations with the tools they need to safely and effectively deploy autonomous systems. As the use of autonomous technology continues to expand, Arondite is poised to play a critical role in shaping the future of defence and security.
