Best Security & Surveillance Technology Companies in San Diego, United States
The 47 best Security & Surveillance Technology companies in San Diego, United States in 2026, ranked by funding and momentum. Funding, investors, founders, valuation, tech stack and live signals. Top: Shield AI.
Our analysis of 50 Security & Surveillance Technology companies
$4.8b in tracked funding; 91% of the stack-profiled cohort runs cloud-native; funding activity peaked in 2025.
Ranked: Best Security & Surveillance Technology companies in San Diego
| # | Company | Disclosed funding | Last round | Employees | Founded | Founder | Tech stack | Patents & IP focus | Recent signals |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shield AI 🦄 Developer of AI-powered platforms and software for defense applications 93Funding top 9%Product top 18%Talent top 22%Moat top 26% All 12 signals ▾Fundingtop 9% Producttop 18% Talenttop 22% Moattop 26% Markettop 28% Growthtop 29% AItop 30% Innovationtop 32% Techtop 33% Newstop 36% Partnerstop 43% Globaltop 48% Funding: Raised $930M across 16 rounds · 16 rounds over 11 yrs (1.5/yr) Product: 4 distinct product lines · Company stage: Series G rank vs industry peers · Fliar Intelligence Index 93/100 | $930M | 4 mo ago | 364 | 2015 | Brandon Tseng Co-Founder | WordPressApple iCloud MailMySQL+24 | — | 1 partnership |
| 2 | Decision Sciences Provider of automated security and contraband detection systems for CBRNE defence | $158M | 37 mo ago | 71 | 1996 | Jack Honeycutt CEO | — | 301 patents Advanced synthetic-aperture ultrasound imaging and charged-particle detector systems for diagnostics | — |
| 3 | Mitek Provider of AI-driven solutions for identity verification and fraud prevention | $156M | 66 mo ago | 590 590 → 765 (+30%) | 1985 | Ed West CEO | DrupalApple iCloud MailPHP+20 | 882 patents Automated cutting systems and modular construction materials for efficient building processes | — |
| 4 | Lytx Provider of video telematics and fleet management solutions | $153M | 100 mo ago | 979 979 → 977 (+0%) | 1998 | — | SentryAtlassian StatuspageApple iCloud Mail+30 | 283 patents Video telematics and driver safety analytics for fleet vehicles. | 4 launchs |
| 5 | ImageWare Systems Provider of cloud-based multi-modal biometrics systems | $67M | 68 mo ago | 26 | 1987 | Jim Miller Chairman & CEO | — | — | — |
| 6 | TRUEPIC Online image and video authenticity solution to enterprise and consumer | $37M | 59 mo ago | 68 | 2014 | Craig Stack Co-Founder | WebflowApple iCloud MailGoogle Workspace+28 | 64 patents Secure image capture and authentication with cryptographic anti‑recapture techniques | 2 partnerships |
| 7 | ID Analytics Credit risk solutions using alternative data for informed lending decisions | $35M | 231 mo ago | 128 | 2002 | — | — | 55 patents Patents concentrated in computing, sensing & instrumentation | — |
| 8 | Accel Robotics Provider of AI-based automated checkout solutions for offline retailers | $35M | 82 mo ago | 2 | 2015 | Brandon Maseda Co-Founder & CEO | — | 47 patents AI-driven visual inventory and smart shelf sensing for retail automation | — |
| 9 | Clearspeed Provider of AI and voice-based risk assessment platform | $27M | 13 mo ago | 100 | 2016 | Kurt Martin Co-Founder | WordPressMySQLPHP+25 | 2 patents Audio sample quality control and verification in digital signal processing | — |
| 10 | Avaak Developed home monitoring system | $17M | 196 mo ago | 4 | 2004 | — | — | 17 patents Low‑power IoT sensor mounting, RF communication, and asset‑tracking hardware solutions | — |
| 11 | Semantic Intellect Provider of a semantic image analytics platform for enterprises and government | $10M | 86 mo ago | 47 | 2001 | Richard Harrison CEO | Bolt CMSPHPFacebook Login+23 | — | — |
| 12 | MyDx Developer of portable analyzer that assists in the detection of chemicals | $9M | 101 mo ago | 7 | 2013 | — | WordPressMySQLPHP+30 | — | — |
| 13 | Emotient Facial expression recognition and analysis | $8M | 149 mo ago | 25 | 2012 | Gwen Littlewort Co-Founder | — | 49 patents Patents concentrated in computing, sensing & instrumentation | — |
| 14 | ImageWare Cloud based platform offering multi model biometric solutions | $2M | 55 mo ago | 20 | 1987 | — | — | — | — |
| 15 | CamerEye Provider of AI-enabled pool safety and surveillance systems | $1M | 34 mo ago | 13 | 2020 | Sai R Founder & CEO | Cart FunctionalityWooCommerceWordPress+41 | — | — |
| 16 | XY Labs Platform offering self-sovereign data gathering, storage, and processing solutions | $1M | 91 mo ago | 20 | 2012 | Arie Trouw Founder & CEO | Facebook LoginMUIReact Router+11 | — | — |
| 17 | Aeromutable Manufacturer of aerodynamic enhancement systems for off-highway vehicles | $600K | 50 mo ago | 2 | 2018 | Sandra Manosalvas-Kjono Co-Founder & COO &Sensor System Design Engineer | — | — | — |
| 18 | Telaeris Handheld access control and mustering solutions for enhanced safety and security | $300K | 141 mo ago | 12 | 2005 | — | WordPressMySQLPHP+22 | — | 1 internship · 1 partnership |
Top 12 Security & Surveillance Technology companies in San Diego
#1
Series G · San Diego, California · founded 2015 · 364 employees$930.2Mraised▾
Developer of AI-powered platforms and software for defense applications. The company provides solutions for mission autonomy, surveillance, and object detection. Its offerings include autonomous pilot software, command and control toolkits, and autonomy development platforms. It also manufactures unmanned aircraft for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions.
- Mar 2026Series G$2B
- Feb 2025Series F$591.8M
- Dec 2023Series F$100M
- Dec 2023Venture Debt$200M
#2
Series D · San Diego, California · founded 2016 · 100 employees$27Mraised▾
Provider of AI and voice-based risk assessment platform. It provides a platform that supports businesses in voice analytics to track risks and alert users on possible fraud. It offers data to its users to support customer experience. It leverages AI technology for identifying conversational fraud analysis. It also provides tools for identifying financial fraud, security risks, IP theft prevention, supply chain compliance, transaction or individual vetting, and more.
- Jun 2025Series D$60M
- Oct 2022Series C$27M
#3
Series C · San Diego, California · founded 1996 · 71 employees$157.5Mraised▾
Provider of automated security and contraband detection systems for CBRNE defence. It provides users with a company that develops and provides integrated security, detection systems, and critical infrastructure security solutions for the defence industry. Its product portfolio consists of Non-intrusive Inspection solutions, MMPDS Gen3 and detection systems.
- Jul 2023Grant (prize money)$198.1K
- Jul 2021Series C$13.5M
- Mar 2020Series C$25.4M
- Aug 2019Series C$20M
#4
Public · San Diego, California · founded 1985 · 590 employees$155.7Mraised▾
Provider of AI-driven solutions for identity verification and fraud prevention. The company offers a platform that integrates biometrics, identity verification, and data signals. It helps businesses secure access, prevent fraud, and ensure compliance. The company’s solutions detect check fraud, synthetic identity fraud, and account-takeover fraud. It offers liveness detection, document verification, and anti-spoofing voice technology.
- Feb 2021Post IPO$135M
- May 2018Post IPO$201.9K
- May 2011Post IPO$15M
- Oct 2010Post IPO$750K
#5
Acquired · San Diego, California · founded 1998 · 979 employees$153.4Mraised▾
Provider of video telematics and fleet management solutions. It is a technology company that provides video safety and telematics solutions for fleets, helping to protect drivers, costs, and operational efficiency. The company's platform utilizes machine vision and artificial intelligence to analyze driver behavior, monitor safety, and provide insights.
- Apr 2018PE—
- Feb 2013Series D—
- Nov 2011Series D$85M
- Dec 2009Venture Debt$4M
#6
Public · San Diego, California · founded 1987 · 26 employees$67Mraised▾
Provider of cloud-based multi-modal biometrics systems. It offers multi-factor biometric authentication via mobile devices, on-premises and in the cloud. The solution incorporates voice, fingerprint, facial recognition, signature, iris, and other biometric capture feature available to a customer.
- Nov 2020Post IPO$11.6M
- Sep 2020Post IPO$2.2M
- Sep 2018Post IPO$10M
- Sep 2017Post IPO$11M
#7
Series B · San Diego, California · founded 2014 · 68 employees$37.2Mraised▾
Online image and video authenticity solution to enterprise and consumer. Its technology is used to verify image originality and authenticity that cannot be filtered and modified. Provides image metadata storage after authentication. Available for consumer use by downloading the iPhone or Android app. Generates revenue through monthly subscriptions.
- Sep 2021Series B$26M
- Jun 2018Series A$8M
- Nov 2017Seed$1M
- May 2017Angel$1.8M
#8
Series A · San Diego, California · founded 2015 · 2 employees$35Mraised▾
Accel Robotics is developing AI-based automated checkout solutions for offline retailers. Its product, OMNIO uses computer vision techniques and provides solutions like security & loss prevention, analytics insights, customer engagement, and more. It uses overhead cameras to track what people pick up and automatically bills them as they leave the store. It caters to commercial spaces like retail stores, hospitality & entertainment sectors, and more.
- Oct 2019Series A$30M
- Jun 2019Seed$550K
- Jul 2018Seed$3.5M
- Feb 2018Seed$900K
#9
Acquired · San Diego, California · founded 2002 · 128 employees$35.1Mraised▾
Credit risk solutions using alternative data for informed lending decisions. They provide data and analytics to manage risk and uncover opportunities across the customer lifecycle. Their solutions offer insights for customer acquisition, loan origination, portfolio servicing, and debt recovery. They leverage alternative credit insights to enhance portfolio performance, providing a comprehensive view of creditworthiness. They serve various industries, including financial services, telecommunications, and automotive, offering solutions for fraud prevention, identity verification, and compliance. Their offerings include risk assessment, data enrichment, and monitoring tools, enabling businesses to make informed decisions and improve outcomes. They focus on leveraging data and advanced analytics to manage risk and improve business outcomes.
- May 2007Series C$20M
- Feb 2006Series B$5.2M
- May 2002Series A$10M
#10
Seed · San Diego, California · founded 2020 · 13 employees$1.4Mraised▾
Provider of AI-enabled pool safety and surveillance systems. Its offering includes a camera, speakers, accessories, and a monitoring mobile app. Its feature includes AI-based live streaming access, alerts, and cloud storage. It is applicable for pools and spas. It is available on iOS and Android platforms.
- Sep 2023Seed$350K
- Jan 2022Seed$1.1M
- Dec 2021Conventional Debt$500K
#11
Series A · San Diego, California · founded 2001 · 47 employees$9.6Mraised▾
Provider of a semantic image analytics platform for enterprises and government. It offers software for data analytics and business intelligence. Its offering includes data accessibility, facial recognition, data interpretation, predictive analytics, workflow automation, report engines, and cognitive visualization. It uses computer vision, cognitive computing, and cloud technologies. It caters to military, government, banking, and logistic industries.
- Jun 2019Series A$4.5M
- Dec 2018Series A$315.2K
- Nov 2017Series A$4.2M
- Jul 2016Seed$750K
#12
Acquired · San Diego, California · founded 2004 · 4 employees$17Mraised▾
Avaak developed Vuezone line of home video monitoring cameras, one of the first developers of completely wireless cameras, video from which can be accessed anywhere. Company was acquired by Netgear in 2012.
- Mar 2010Series B$10M
- Oct 2008Series A$7M
- 2004Seed—
Funding & investor landscape
Notable founders
Market landscape — 10 sub-themes by coverage
Share of Security & Surveillance Technology coverage by sub-theme.
Regulatory-risk over time rising
Funding & growth over time
funding rising · growth rising
How research on Cybersecurity is moving in the United States
A read on the academic research around Cybersecurity — which themes are gaining ground, the institutions and researchers driving them, and how the tone is shifting. Based on 3,240 United States-affiliated papers.
- Purdue University West Lafayette85
- Northeastern University82
- Film Independent58
- Georgia Institute of Technology46
- DEVCOM Army Research Laboratory41
- Intrusion detection system94→301
- Anomaly detection30→107
- Key (lock)11→84
- Internet of Things2→61
- Artificial neural network2→57
- Intrusion detection system97→202
- Artificial neural network3→47
- Anomaly detection25→61
- Internet of Things1→33
- Support vector machine8→38
- Key (lock)6→39
- Intrusion detection system13→45
- Exploit9→30
- Malware6→26
- Adversarial system1→19
Where cybersecurity is researched across United States
Location clusters by institution affiliation — each city's volume, stance tone, and a quick read on its hot topic, what's advancing, the opening opportunity, and the main concern.
Who's filing cybersecurity patents in the United States
United States cybersecurity patent filing is accelerating — 237,304 filings from 8,000 assignees (2016–2025), led by IBM, Microsoft, Intel; annual filings 18790→23467.
- IBM27110
- Microsoft22601
- Intel12666
- Google8565
- Qualcomm7612
- Apple6755
- Hewlett Packard Development5761
- Capital One Services4646
Common questions
Riya reads income statements for fun. She covers the real money in a sector — revenue, growth, who actually earns — and never met a vague claim she didn't want a number for.