Iris Automation
AcquiredYC S16San Francisco, US · Founded 2015 · 5 employees on LinkedIn · 7 known investors
Find your way into Iris Automation
532 people in our graph share verified history with the Iris Automation team — schools, employers, funds. One of them is your warm intro.
Rares Crisanunlockedknows James Howard · together at University of British Columbia (overlapped)
×4knows the team · via University of British Columbia
×2knows the team · via Boeing Research & Technology Australia
×2knows the team · via JPL (NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory)
knows the team · via Airbus
knows the team · via Engineers Without Borders Canada
Iris Automation develops artificial intelligence software that enables industrial drones to operate autonomously, with a focus on collision avoidance capabilities for safer operations.
Advanced ManufacturingAI & Machine LearningRoboticsDronesComputer VisionAIUnited States of AmericaAmerica / CanadaFully Remote
Founders & leadership· Y Combinator alumni (S16)
Iris Automation was founded in 2015 by Alexander Harmsen and James Howard.
AH
Alexander Harmsenin𝕏Chairman & Founder2020–2022Alexander Harmsen founded Iris Automation, an autonomous vehicle software company that raised over $30M and obtained regulatory approvals in multiple countries before exiting. He is currently CEO and co-founder of PortfolioPilot.com, an AI-based financial advisory platform, and advises computational pharma and SaaS companies.
JH
James HowardinVP of Technology & Innovation and Founder2021–2023James Howard is founder and CTO of Iris Automation, which develops artificial intelligence software for autonomous industrial drone operations, including collision avoidance systems.
Investors · 7
ARC Angel FundNew York · $50K – $250K
Bessemer Venture PartnersRedwood City · $5M – $100M
Flucas VenturesJupiter · $100K – $5Mvia Ashley Flucas · inferred
Sony Ventures CorporationTokyo
Y CombinatorSan Francisco · $500K
Bee PartnersreportedLafayette · $300K – $500K
Notable CapitalreportedSilicon Valley · $5M – $50M
Funding
SEC filings, press & company announcements- Undisclosed amountSeries BDec 2020Source ↗
Source: company announcements and press reports — follow each round's link for the claim.
Key figures
latest reportedHeadcountAug 20265
Company-reported or press-reported figures, each dated to when it was claimed — not independently audited.
Founder mafia
2 people who came through Iris Automation went on to found or lead other companies.
Competitors · 6
by search overlap
Drone Deploy7 shared keywordsDroneDeploy provides a robotics and AI platform used for data collection and site intelligence across construction, energy, infrastructure, and agriculture. The platform integrates aerial drones, ground robots, and AI to help field teams digitize and monitor job sites across 180 countries.
Skydio7 shared keywordsSkydio designs and manufactures autonomous drones using computer vision and AI technology for consumer and commercial applications. The company's products are designed, assembled, and supported in the United States.
DJI (大疆创新)6 shared keywordsDJI is a hardware manufacturer that designs and sells drones, handheld cameras, and stabilizers for consumers and content creators. The company operates a direct-to-consumer e-commerce store with local warehouse fulfillment in Mexico.
Elsight6 shared keywordsElsight develops proprietary hardware and software connectivity technology, including its Halo platform, that provides reliable communications links for unmanned aerial and ground systems such as drones and robots. The company serves the autonomous systems industry, including drone manufacturers, defense contractors, and public safety and BVLOS delivery operators.
Aloft5 shared keywordsAloft operates an FAA-approved airspace and fleet management platform for drone operations, offering LAANC authorizations, airspace advisories, mission planning, and fleet tracking. It serves individual drone pilots, enterprise UAS programs, developers, and government agencies, and is now part of Versaterm with a focus on public safety drone operations.
Censys Technologies5 shared keywordsCensys Technologies designs and manufactures fixed-wing VTOL drones, dock systems, and AI-powered edge computing platforms for autonomous inspection of critical infrastructure, primarily serving utilities and energy providers for power line monitoring and vegetation management.
Companies competing with Iris Automation for the same Google search keywords, organic and paid, via search-intersection analysis.
In the news
Frequently asked questions
- What does Iris Automation do?
- Iris Automation develops artificial intelligence software that enables industrial drones to operate autonomously, with a focus on collision avoidance capabilities for safer operations.
- Who founded Iris Automation?
- Iris Automation was founded by Alexander Harmsen, James Howard in 2015.
- Who are Iris Automation's investors?
- Iris Automation's investors include ARC Angel Fund, Bessemer Venture Partners, Flucas Ventures, Sony Ventures Corporation, Y Combinator, Bee Partners, Notable Capital.
- Where is Iris Automation headquartered?
- Iris Automation is headquartered in San Francisco, US.