Led · Series B · Jan 2022

Fotokite develops tethered, autonomous drones for firefighting and emergency response, aimed at improving situational awareness for first responders. The company's core product is tethered UAV technology used to support search and rescue and emergency operations. With recent expansion across six continents, Fotokite has positioned itself as a global provider of aerial emergency solutions. Management plans to use new capital to broaden its reach and enhance its autonomous firefighting capabilities. The company highlights goals to streamline search and rescue workflows and save lives in critical situations. CEO Bart Slager expressed excitement about the future impact of Fotokite's solutions on first responders and communities worldwide. Fotokite (Perspective Robotics AG) develops the Fotokite Sigma, a self‑piloting, actively tethered aerial device that provides immediate overhead situational awareness to firefighting and public‑safety teams. The system is positioned to deliver aerial capabilities without the safety issues and operational inefficiencies of traditional drones. The company says the CHF 13.7 million Series B will help scale operations, bolster its in‑house engineering team, and drive sales in North American and European markets. Fotokite has strengthened its presence in the United States and Canada and expanded its fleet across major European markets including Switzerland, Germany, France and the United Kingdom. The company reports increasing regional accessibility of Fotokite Sigma systems to public‑safety teams across 17 European countries. Fotokite has been recognized among TOP 100 Swiss Startups (2017–2019) and as a Venture Leader in 2018 and 2022. Perspective Robotics, an ETH Zurich spinoff, develops the Fotokite, a tethered and autonomous drone system for public safety teams. The Fotokite flies on a tether and operates autonomously, reducing the need for piloting and letting responders focus on missions. Its tethered design is safe for use above crowds and in urban environments, which the company cites as an advantage over free‑flying drones. Perspective Robotics has secured regulatory advantages for its technology in the US, Switzerland, and France. The company says the recent investment led by Credit Suisse Entrepreneur Capital Ltd. will fuel growth, create new jobs, and accelerate efforts to improve situational information for firefighters and first responders. The funding was provided by Credit Suisse's Entrepreneur Capital vehicle, which manages CHF 200 million and has added Perspective Robotics to a portfolio of 50 companies. Fotokite is a Swiss startup that combines aerial and ground-based robotics with patented flight-control algorithms to create a kite-like tethered drone system. The drone actively uses its tether to fly fully autonomously for 24 hours while delivering an aerial data livestream to the ground. Fotokite has obtained FAA approval to commercialise its drone in U.S. cities. The company is adding a live aerial situational-awareness application for firefighters and has signed a contract with a large U.S. fire-truck manufacturer. Fotokite plans to expand its sales and business-development team to New York while its Swiss team continues to focus on research and development. The startup says it will use the GENIUS NY funding to accelerate growth and U.S. expansion. Perspective Robotics AG develops the Fotokite Phi, a very light, tethered quadcopter designed to carry GoPro cameras for consumer photography and hobby use. The Fotokite design emphasizes safety and ease of use through a physical tether that keeps the aircraft aware of and attached to the operator. CEO Sergei Lupashin originally demonstrated the underlying technology on the TED stage in 2014, and a tethered Fotokite variant is already used by major news outlets such as the BBC for broadcast coverage. The company positioned the Phi as a more affordable, consumer-friendly Fotokite by reducing manufacturing costs made possible by the tether. The product is described as a cross between an airborne pet and a steadicam, intended for photography, hobbyists, and casual use. As of the article, the company achieved crowdfunding support and is running an Indiegogo campaign to fund production of the Phi.