22 Jan 2025
Ignite invests in dual-use Artificial Intelligence (AI) startup
Midwich Ignite has invested in Vizgard, a dual-use Artificial Intelligence (AI) SME whose edge-based software provides time critical, AI-powered insight and precision camera automation in Defence and Public Safety spaces.
The funding, raised as part of an oversubscribed seed funding round led by Sure Valley Ventures, will accelerate Vizgard’s aspirations to bridge critical gaps in camera-based Defence and Public Safety systems through their distributed visual AI platform, FortifAI.
Vizgard’s FortifAI software platform harnesses low-power, commercially available processors to enhance a broad range of systems, including security cameras, counter-drone technologies, and unmanned vehicles. It provides precise, real-time threat identification and automatic camera control, significantly reducing operator workload. By combining field-proven traditional computer vision with cutting-edge Deep Learning models, FortifAI ensures robust performance in real-world scenarios.
Will Fenby, Investment Manager at Midwich Ignite, said:
“We are delighted to be co-investing into Vizgard alongside our colleagues at Sure Valley and Focal SPV. We believe Vizgard’s visual AI platform, FortifAI, offers a revolution in public safety and are buoyed by the government’s new AI Opportunities Action Plan announced this week. With our expertise in the UK security market, we are delighted to be supporting a business at the forefront of AI innovation in this space. We look forward to partnering with Alex and his team on the next phase of their growth plan.”
Alex Kehoe, CEO & Founder of Vizgard, added:
"Midwich have already proven to be a valuable partner to Vizgard by introducing potential new security equipment distribution partners and suggesting fresh routes to market we had not yet considered. I'm excited to continue collaborating with them and exploring further opportunities alongside their portfolio companies."

Vizgard Founder and CEO, Alex Kehoe at Resilience Conference
Founded in early 2021 by former Royal Navy submariner Alex Kehoe, Vizgard is part of a £12 million Innovate UK consortium, led by Altitude Angel, developing a 165-mile drone superhighway. The UK Home Office also recently awarded Vizgard a significant contract to develop a portable knife-detection solution powered by its proprietary solution, FortifAI.
For more information on Vizgard and its products, please visit: https://vizgard.com/. Alternatively, to discuss investment opportunities, please visit https://www.midwichignite.com/.