Coram AI’s Security Vision: Making Cameras Smarter, Not Just More Expensive

Security cameras that simply watch and record are yesterday's tech. Coram AI is pushing to make them smarter, actively turning them into proactive defenders. Based in the Bay Area, Coram just landed $35 million in Series B funding, taking their total raise to $66 million. The funds are earmarked for expanding their AI-driven security platform that’s already in use across 1,500 sites, from ice cream parlors to school districts.

Funding, Founders, and Future

Co-founded by Ashesh Jain and Peter Ondruska, Coram is challenging the status quo of physical security. Jain, who previously took a deep dive into autonomy at Lyft and Zoox, believes they're tackling a potentially bigger market. The latest funding round was backed by Ansa Capital and Battery Ventures, among others. Notably, Coram hasn’t disclosed its valuation, keeping some cards close to the chest.

Let's talk numbers. Global investments in robotics and physical AI have ballooned from $4 billion in 2019 to a whopping $26 billion by 2025. Coram's riding this investment wave, but it's not just about raising cash. It's about using it wisely to build a reliable product-market fit. The pitch deck promises a lot. The real story is whether they can deliver.

Turning Tools into Teammates

Coram's edge lies in transforming existing security setups into smarter systems. Their tech connects cameras, badge readers, and logs, allowing AI to assist in spotting and responding to incidents quickly. The startup is already making waves, especially in schools, where it helps detect firearms and trigger lockdowns. More than just a security tool, Coram's new Deep Investigation product lets users ask complex questions, turning data into actionable insights. Imagine automating what would otherwise take a full data science team hours to decipher.

A Crowded Market with Room to Grow

Coram isn't alone in the security tech arena. With big players like Verkada and Avigilon around, and the high-profile breach Verkada faced in 2021, the competition is stiff. But Jain seems unfazed by the crowded field. Since their Series A round, their revenue has quadrupled and the customer base tripled. That kind of growth can’t be ignored.

But here's the kicker: Jain envisions a future where robotic security becomes the norm. Think robot dogs patrolling your office or humanoid helpers in retail spaces. Bold? Definitely. But isn’t that what this whole AI journey is about?

Coram's mission is ambitious: Move from being a tech novelty to an essential security solution. The founder story is compelling, but the metrics will ultimately prove their worth. What matters is whether anyone's actually using this tech to solve real-world problems.