SANTA CLARA, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–May 29, 2003–SafeView announced today that is has received over $6 million in venture capital funding to begin commercialization of a unique portal system thatuses millimeter wave holographic technology to screen personnel for weapons, threats and contraband material. The funding round was led by Draper, Fisher, Jurvetson, and includes funding from itsassociated venture fund DFJePlanet, Stanford University, and a strategic investment by InVision Technologies. In addition, InVision Technologies has agreed to be the exclusive distributor of thesesystems in commercial aviation and airport markets in the United States and Europe. Seed round support was provided by InCube, a Silicon Valley incubator owned by renowned inventor Mir Imran.
“We are greatly pleased with not only the funding, but the caliber of our investment partners,” stated Mike Lyons, founder and chairman of the SafeView Board. “In this very difficult funding environment, they had the foresight to invest in this technology that we all believe is a part of the solution to making the world a safer place.”
“This technology has the potential to provide enhanced security in any location where large numbers of people gather,” stated Rick Rowe, president and CEO of SafeView. “The system provides the capability to screen people in airports, commercial buildings, entertainment venues, government and military facilities, and correctional institutions for threat objects or other contraband items. Because it is an imaging system, we can detect all types of materials, ranging from metal, to plastic, to ceramic, to glass. Not only is the screening fast, safe, and non-intrusive, but we can also provide software solutions to protect the privacy of the individual being screened.”
The portal system transmits ultrahigh frequency, extremely low powered radar waves as the person passes through the portal. These waves, known as millimeter waves, penetrate clothing and reflect off of the person’s skin and the items he or she may be carrying. A sensor array captures the reflected waves and uses a typical desk top computer to analyze the information and produce a high-resolution, three dimensional image from the signals. The image, coupled with software threat detection algorithms, allow an operator to screen for suspicious materials, either at the site or remotely.
SafeView holds an exclusive license to commercialize this patented and unique technology from Battelle, which manages the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) for the Department of Energy. The system is derived from a three-dimensional holographic imagery technology program that was established at PNNL, and was eventually funded by the FAA as a key emerging technology for screening people passing through airports.
For further information, contact Rick Rowe, at 650/289-5192 or rick@safe-view.com.
About Draper Fisher Jurvetson
Draper Fisher Jurvetson is the leading early stage information technology venture capital firm. Headquartered in Redwood City, California, Draper Fisher Jurvetson manages over $1 billion in committed capital and has developed a large network of highly successful Internet portfolio companies. Draper Fisher Jurvetson pursues a people/market/technology approach to venture capital investing, funding entrepreneurs with the energy, vision, experience and desire to build great companies. For more information about Draper Fisher Jurvetson see www.dfj.com.
About InVision Technologies
InVision Technologies develops, manufactures, markets and supports Explosive Detection Systems based on advanced computed tomography technology for civil aviation security. InVision’s wholly owned subsidiary YXLON develops x-ray based NDT systems for a wide range of industrial applications and has developed x-ray based diffraction for explosives detection. InVision’s wholly owned subsidiary Quantum Magnetics develops weapons, narcotics, explosives and other detection systems based on quadrupole resonance and other proprietary magnetic sensing technologies. InVision’s wholly owned subsidiary Inovec develops scanning, optimization and control systems for the forest products industry. Additional information about InVision can be obtained on the company’s web site at http://www.invision-tech.com.
About Battelle
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory is a DOE research facility in Richland, Wash. and delivers breakthrough science and technology in the areas of environment, energy, health, fundamental sciences and national security. Battelle, based in Columbus, Ohio, has operated the laboratory for DOE since 1965. Business inquiries on other PNNL research and technologies should be directed to 888/375-PNNL or e-mail: inquiry@pnl.gov.
