Eagle Eye Networks
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Video surveillance, Cloud computing, Physical security |
| Founded | 2012 |
| Founder | Dean Drako |
| Headquarters | Austin , United States |
| Products | Eagle Eye Cloud Security Camera Video Management System, Video API, AI Video Search |
| Owner | Dean Drako (majority stakeholder) |
Eagle Eye Networks, Inc. (EEN) is a U.S.-based firm that focuses on delivering cloud-driven video surveillance solutions tailored for physical security and operational business needs.
History
Established in 2012 by Dean Drako, who previously founded and led Barracuda Networks as CEO, Eagle Eye Networks was created to overcome difficulties associated with managing video surveillance remotely. The company unveiled its Eagle Eye Cloud Security Camera Video Management System in January 2014, followed shortly by the launch of a worldwide channel partner initiative.
In July 2014, Eagle Eye obtained a substantial Series B investment round led by MSD Capital, Michael Dell’s private investment firm, with further backing from Enrique Salem, former Symantec CEO. Dell highlighted Drako’s earlier accomplishments with Barracuda as a significant influence on his decision to invest. Later that year, the company established a data center located in Austin, Texas.
A collaborative partnership with Diebold was initiated in February 2015 to provide cloud-based video services incorporating live streaming, storage capabilities, alert notifications, and real-time analytics through an open API framework. In June 2015, Drako acquired Brivo—a cloud access control provider—for $50 million to accelerate the integration of cloud solutions within physical security; both entities continued operating independently.
The collaboration efforts extended in 2017 through a partnership with Swift Sensors to offer combined wireless sensor and video surveillance technologies across various sectors. By 2020, Eagle Eye Networks secured $40 million in Series E funding from Accel, increasing total capital raised to $100 million aimed at enhancing AI-driven analytics on its cloud platform and supporting expansion efforts.
In 2023, Eagle Eye renewed its alliance with Brivo to raise $192 million focused on advancing AI applications within physical security and obtained an additional $100 million financing round from SECOM. Dean Drako remains the majority stakeholder. In 2024, Drako was honored with the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award for the Gulf South Region in recognition of his visionary leadership and business accomplishments.
Products
The Eagle Eye Cloud Security Camera Video Management System is a cloud-managed surveillance solution that connects both analog and IP cameras via an on-premises bridge or a cloud-managed video recorder appliance, securely transmitting encrypted footage to Eagle Eye's cloud data centers.
This platform supports mobile apps for system installation, remote monitoring, and management functions, providing notifications for motion detection, tampering incidents, and camera malfunctions. It incorporates bandwidth optimization features and enables users to configure video storage between cloud-based and local options.
Eagle Eye’s Video API offers developers a RESTful interface to embed video functionality into applications, including storage management, analytics, indexing services, and access points for both live and archived footage.
Its AI Video Search leverages artificial intelligence technology to identify individuals and objects across all connected cameras using descriptive queries, with filtering capabilities based on date, time frame, location, and specific cameras.
Recognition
The introduction of Eagle Eye Networks attracted attention from outlets such as MarketWatch, Computerworld, and The Wall Street Journal, emphasizing its commitment to intuitive design and user experience.
In April 2014, the company received the Security Industry Association’s award for best new hosted solution and was also recognized as one of the top 25 emerging companies by CRN Magazine that year.
Founder Dean Drako earned a place on Goldman Sachs' list of the 100 most intriguing entrepreneurs in 2014 due to his strategic vision and business successes.
Eagle Eye Networks achieved the #133 spot on Deloitte’s Technology Fast 500 for North America in 2019, reflecting a remarkable growth rate of 936% between 2015 and 2018. The company appeared again in 2020 at #187 with a growth rate of 652% from 2016 through 2019, demonstrating its accelerated expansion within the security technology sector.
Timeline
| Year of Announcement | Company Name | Sector | Transaction Value (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Panasonic Camera Manager | Cloud-based video monitoring | Undisclosed |
| 2021 | Uncanny Vision | Artificial intelligence for video surveillance | Undisclosed |