Sunflower Labs, a pioneer in autonomous aerial security technology, announced three major milestones that strengthen its position as a leader in automated security: nationwide FAA approval for beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) operations, the launch of a new property configuration tool, and the close of a $16 million Series B funding round led by Sequoia Capital.
The FAA authorization allows Sunflower Labs’ Beehive system to operate BVLOS across 99% of the United States legally. This approval enables flights over people and vehicles, as well as operations in low-visibility conditions, without requiring site-by-site exemptions. The approval was granted through a performance-based Certificate of Waiver or Authorization, developed in close coordination with the FAA to align with the agency’s proposed Part 108 rules for BVLOS operations.
Over the past year, Sunflower Labs has seen rapid growth, doubling its customer base and increasing the number of autonomous patrols tenfold while maintaining a spotless FAA-reviewed safety record. The company’s Beehive system integrates robotics and AI to deliver faster response times, reduced labor dependency, and heightened compliance for security operations across residential, commercial, and industrial sites.
Alongside the FAA milestone, the company launched a new online configuration tool that enables users to design their own Beehive deployment. Customers can input their property address, map out drone coverage zones, visualize response times, and add remote operator services before submitting their configuration for expert review. The interactive experience enables prospective clients to preview how Sunflower’s system would function on their site, providing a transparent look into the system’s capabilities before committing to installation.
The Beehive platform leverages AI and sensor fusion to go beyond simple surveillance, combining object tracking, risk detection, and dynamic flight pathing with privacy-first processing. It detects anomalies such as fires or intrusions, maintains a line of sight in challenging conditions, and blurs sensitive areas while preserving situational awareness.
The newly secured $16 million Series B round, led by Sequoia Capital with participation from Alarm.com, DRONE FUND, Gentian Investments, Wakestream Ventures, Atlas Ventures, and Daybreak Ventures, will be used to accelerate AI development, expand deployments in the U.S., Europe, and Latin America, and deepen integrations with Alarm.com’s platform and dealer network.
KEY QUOTES:
“Through extensive collaboration with the FAA, we’ve secured authorizations that let us operate safely and legally across nearly every location in the United States. Our customers can deploy the Beehive with confidence that they’re ahead of the curve in both safety and compliance.”
Alex Pachikov, Co-founder and CEO, Sunflower Labs
“Large high-value sites, such as factories, distribution centers, and warehouses, require comprehensive security coverage. Alex and team have engineered an elegant solution that augments traditional security by fusing autonomous drones with computer vision to rapidly detect and deter threats. We’re proud to partner with Sunflower Labs as they enhance existing security measures with autonomous precision.”
Roelof Botha, Managing Partner, Sequoia Capital
