Military personnel must swiftly make choices in critical scenarios, yet they frequently deal with outdated technology incapable of providing precise data about their surroundings. Senior military officials have emphasized their focus on achieving “decision dominance” for forces, but the actual deployment of fresh technologies to operators can be a complex task. 

One noteworthy frontrunner in this pursuit is Reveal Technology. The startup, which has been operational for six years, collaborates with several branches of the U.S. Department of Defense to deliver its primary software product to operators. This software, named Farsight, has the ability to quickly transform drone footage into 3D maps accessible via a smartphone. The firm is already executing programs with the Army, Special Operations Command, Marine Corps, and numerous international armed forces. 

Farsight presents significant benefits over the existing standard, which typically involves smartphones with preloaded 2D maps derived from outdated satellite imagery, often failing to represent an evolving battlefield, as Reveal co-founder and CEO Garrett Smith mentioned in a recent dialogue.

“If you’re opposing an enemy, various elements might transform in that area. They might obstruct a route, or construct a trench…none of which would appear on a map,” he stated. “Farsight remedies all of this by offering a current, three-dimensional, high-definition model of the environment in operations, enabling measurements, analysis, decision-making, and situational awareness.” 

Smith possesses firsthand experience: As a U.S. Marine Corps officer, he had deployments in Afghanistan, South Asia, and South America. He transitioned from active duty around a dozen years ago and has remained in the reserves. His military experience had significant benefits, Smith noted, “though it also highlighted the tremendous lack of technological adaptation within the U.S. Department of Defense.” Technologies that industry sectors adopted years prior, like cloud computing, were still being integrated. 

“Recognizing that while in danger was quite a startling realization,” he said. 

Upon leaving active duty, Smith enrolled at Stanford University and ventured into entrepreneurship. Utilizing his drone operation experience, he collaborated with firms in the commercial drone market. He observed the swift emergence of inexpensive commercial drones and affordable consumer smartphones. “There was a prospect to derive software value,” he described. 

Together with three colleagues, Smith founded Reveal Technology in December 2018 to develop the software tool now known as Farsight. Beyond map generation, the software can emulate an enemy’s line of sight, facilitate route planning, calculate elevation and distance, and offers other insights.

“There is an abundance, and increasing influx, of visual data being gathered in these operating realms, and our aim is to be the software layer alleviating the mental load on operators for decision-making,” Smith remarked. 

The startup also acquired DFL Technology for integrating its product, Identifi, a predominantly smartphone-oriented biometrics and human identity data collection and verification tool. The linkage between Reveal’s products centers around decision superiority: delivering tactical insights at the frontline in mobile settings. If Farsight focuses on navigating the physical territory, Smith emphasized, “Identifi targets the human landscape.”

Investors have noticed: The company recently garnered $11.2 million in a Series A round spearheaded by Next Frontier Capital, with involvement from defy.vc and 8VC, to expand its personnel and enhance its product range — aiming to, as Smith expressed, “dominate the mobile and edge sectors.”