FT Start-Up Stories Series 2: How drone detection saved Robin Radar 4/10
Mar 21, 2016
Siete Hamminge, a Dutch entrepreneur and founder of Robin Radar, shares his journey from developing bird detection technology to addressing drone threats. He discusses the challenges of lengthy procurement processes with large companies and how he pivoted his business model to save it. Hamminge emphasizes the importance of adaptability in entrepreneurship and the need for maintaining focus amid various opportunities. He also highlights strategies for small businesses to build credibility and thrive in competitive markets.
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Founding Story: Bird-Strike Origins
- Siete Hamminge bought IP from a Dutch research institute and started Robin Radar in 2010 to prevent bird strikes.
- He discovered bird-strike losses (eg. 12 fighter jets since 1950) which proved a clear business case.
Small-Target Detection As Core Advantage
- Robin Radar's core capability is detecting small targets by pairing smart software with affordable radar sensors.
- That enabled military-grade detection at near-consumer prices, opening multiple civil markets.
2014 Summit: Drone Detection Breakthrough
- At the 2014 nuclear summit Dutch authorities tested radars and found conventional systems struggled to distinguish drones from birds.
- Robin Radar won a government challenge to detect small drones, proving their system's distinct value in security contexts.
