Careless AI that never sleeps: Hakimo’s autonomous security bet

Hakimo announced today Securing $10.5 million in Series A funding to expand its autonomous security surveillance platform. The Menlo Park-based round of AI security startups was led by Vertex Ventures and Zigg Capital, with participation from RXR Arden Digital Ventures and existing investors. This brings The company’s total funding is $20 million.

The company’s flagship AI operators are autonomous security agents that monitor existing security systems, detect threats in real time, and execute response protocols with minimal human intervention, causing the physical security industry to suffer from understaffing, rising costs and false alarm fatigue.

Hakimo co-founder and CEO Sam Joseph explained in an exclusive interview with VentureBeat that “higher costs and a severe shortage of high-quality security guards are driving this shift.” “It’s easy for customers to switch to Hakimo, as businesses save around $125,000 a year compared to security guards.”

AI security agents detect verbal explanationable threats

Unlike traditional security monitoring services, Hakimo combines computer vision with AI to create a system that can detect anomalies or threats that can be verbally described.

“Hakimo AI operators are constantly taking live video feeds from existing security cameras and other sensors, such as alarm systems and door sensors,” Joseph said. “Our AI operators are trained to identify anomalies and threats, such as fraudulent personnel, expulsions, lo, intrusion into restricted zones, or abnormal behavior.”

When the system detects a potential threat, it issues real-time audio warnings via a pre-programmed response protocol for a reason and via on-site speakers. Escalates to human operators if necessary. This multi-layered approach allows for comprehensive security coverage at just a small fraction of the cost of traditional guard services.

Another differentiator is the ability of a system to use existing hardware. “Companies can deploy Hakimo in just a few minutes and integrate directly with existing cameras and hardware. No new infrastructure is needed,” Joseph explained.

How 24/7 AI surveillance is better than traditional security guards

Hakimo’s growth tackles key challenges facing traditional security approaches, such as unverified warnings and police departments refusing to respond to the labor crisis in the manned guardian industry.

“Security guards can’t always be everywhere, especially on campuses, large warehouses, or even car dealers,” Joseph said. “On the other hand, Hakimo monitors cameras that provide full 100% coverage as long as there is enough cameras on the site.”

The CEO highlighted the additional benefits. “Securities need to take mandatory breaks during shifts, but AI operators at Hakimoe don’t take breaks. Risk of responsibility: Security guards are at a high risk of getting injured at work and have a significant risk of responsibility.

Over the past year, the company has tripled its customer base and serves more than 100 clients across the industry, including multi-family apartments, car dealers, construction sites and Fortune 500 companies. In 2024 alone, Hakimo’s technology prevented thousands of security incidents, supported law enforcement with multiple arrests, and even saved lives.

“Our AI operators detected a person lying onsite in the middle of the night, and then quickly escalated to a human operator who dispatched emergency services (911), which ultimately saved the lives of individuals,” explained Joseph.

Why investors are betting millions on AI-powered physical security

The investment in Hakimo reflects the growing perception that physical security requires reinvention of technology, as traditional approaches such as guard services and alarm monitoring appear to be outdated and cost-controlled.

With the new funding, Joseph plans to “expand and enhance the capabilities of the AI ​​platform and expand operations into new markets and industries.” The company targets companies in multiple sectors that require efficient physical security solutions.

“Businesses that require physical assets or protection of people will benefit greatly, especially real estate management, car dealers, construction sites and campuses,” Joseph said, including examples that include car dealers who eliminated monthly intrusions, car dealers who removed high-rise apartments that saved nearly $1 million on security guard spending, and student housing who saw student housing where property is down 90% while property is down 90%.

Creating a universal platform for intelligent video surveillance

Hakimo was founded in early 2020 by Sam Joseph and Sagar Honongar. They identified converging trends, including explosions of camera deployment, lower hardware costs, and rapid advances in computer vision.

Their vision goes beyond current applications. “Five years from now, Hakimo aims to become a universal platform for intelligent video surveillance and understanding, effectively creating and leading new categories within the physical security industry,” Joseph said.

As AI progresses, Hakimo’s approach may provide a preview of how security and future human workers will increase and in some cases be replaced.

“Our vision is that Hakimo will become a platform for all kinds of video surveillance,” Joseph said. “Everyone should be able to connect the camera to Hakimo and say, ‘If you look at X and look at Y and see X happening.’ ”