The software uses distortions in the Wi-Fi energy signals in the
household to develop Wi-Fi fingerprints that enable the software to
detect movement and presence and can also recognize people and
activities. Something very useful for security and wellness
applications
MONTRÉAL, July 11, 2017
/PRNewswire/ - Aerial Technologies Inc, a Montreal-based artificial intelligence
company, announced today that it has concluded a CA$2.25 million
convertible note financing co-led by Fonds Innovexport and
successful entrepreneur and investor Jean-François Grenon.
Strategic investors include Kibo Ventures, a Spanish-based VC firm
which has Grupo Telefónica as one of the main investors in the fund
and Wayra, part of Telefónica Open Future_ network, and Quebecor
Group, a leading Canadian integrated communications company. Angel
investors affiliated to TandemLaunch, the Montreal-based incubator that initially backed
and incubated Aerial, also joined the round.
"We are delighted to be working with such a select group of
investors and we believe that their interest validates the immense
potential of Aerial's novel approach to motion detection for the
Wi-Fi home, said David Grant, CEO of
Aerial Technologies. With their support, we are now well positioned
to accelerate the commercialization of our motion interface with
some of the most important telecommunication companies in the
world."
"Videotron sees a vast potential for Aerial's
technology as it opens the door to a multitude of promising
services and applications for both our residential and business
customers," said Serge Legris, Vice
President & Chief Technology Planning Office of Videotron. We
are also looking to test different opportunities in our Open-air
Laboratory for Smart Living. "
"Aerial has a very strong team supported by
TandemLaunch, a world-class incubator. Considering the traction
they already have in the market, we believe they will be
successful. Innovexport definitely made that investment with the
objective to participate in future rounds to foster Aerial's
growth," added Serge Lavergne,
Vice-President Investment.
Founded in 2015, Aerial is a software company that uses existing
Wi-Fi signals, and cloud-based machine learning AI to detect
presence and motion. As people, pets and in-organic objects move in
the mess of Wi-Fi signals already in your home or office, they
distort and disrupt these Wi-Fi signals in predictable ways. Aerial
processes these distortions to add context and meaning to motion
allowing the recognition of presence, motion, activity and
identity. Aerial software can be embedded in virtually any Wi-Fi
network equipment or device and does not require wearables or other
sensors to work. Aerial's technology was conceived by Michel Allegue, CTO, based on IP that originated
at McGill University, Rutgers University and Steven´s Institute of
Technology.
Early Smart Motion applications provided through our business
partners will include Presence Awareness and Motion Detection, Home
Intrusion Detection, Smart HVAC energy optimization, healthcare and
elderly care monitory services, and intelligent motion awareness
for a variety of smart home devices that improve the convenience
and quality of life for consumers.
Aerial's technology, already in pilot with several large
Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and Multi Service Operators
(MSOs), will be deployed into existing equipment offered through
these service providers.
About Aerial
Aerial is a Montreal-based
Corporation with offices in the US and Europe. Aerial's
motion detection software uses existing Wi-Fi signal distortions
and cloud-based machine learning AI to provide context and meaning
to motion without the need for sensors or wearables.
www.aerial.ai
Follow us on Twitter, Linked-in and Facebook
@AerialHome
About Fonds Innovexport
Based in Quebec City,
Innovexport invests in start-up companies in the Province of
Quebec having innovative products
or services with strong export potential. Innovexport was created
by entrepreneurs for entrepreneurs with the objective to help them
grow their companies. www.fondsinnovexport.com
About Telefónica Open Future_
Telefónica Open Future_ is Telefonica´s global platform designed
to connect entrepreneurs, startups, investors and public and
private partners around the world to capture innovation and
business opportunities. The programme incorporates all of
Telefónica Group's open innovation, entrepreneurship and investment
initiatives through 50 spaces and 9 different investment vehicles.
To date, over 1,700 startups have been accelerated and 750,
invested. Telefónica Open Future_ is present in 17 countries and
has committed to investment, with its partners, a total of
455 million euros.
www.openfuture.org/en
About Quebecor
Quebecor, a Canadian leader in telecommunications,
entertainment, news media and culture, is one of the
best-performing integrated communications companies in the
industry. Driven by their determination to deliver the best
possible customer experience, all of Quebecor's subsidiaries and
brands are differentiated by their high-quality, multiplatform,
convergent products and services.
Quebecor (TSX: QBR.A, QBR.B) is headquartered in Québec. It
holds an 81.53% interest in Quebecor Media, which employs more than
10,000 people in Canada.
A family business founded in 1950, Quebecor is strongly
committed to the community. Every year, it actively supports more
than 400 organizations working in the vital fields of culture,
health, education, the environment and entrepreneurship.
www.quebecor.com
About Videotron
Videotron, a wholly owned subsidiary of Quebecor Media, is an
integrated communications company engaged in cable television,
interactive multimedia development, Internet access, cable
telephone and mobile telephone services. Videotron is a leader in
new technologies with its illico interactive television service and
its broadband network, which supports high-speed cable Internet
access, analog and digital cable television, and other services.
www.videotron.com
About Kibo Ventures
Kibo Ventures, based in Madrid
(Spain) is a VC Fund focused on
early-stage investments in digital companies. Kibo Ventures manages
$130 million from a mix of
institutional and private investors, including IEF, Telefonica, the
Spanish Government (through CDTI), Mutua Madrileña (Spain's largest insurance company) and Axis
(ICO's 25 year-old private equity arm). www.kiboventures.com
About TandemLaunch
TandemLaunch is a seed investor and incubator focused on
creating early-stage technology start-ups in collaboration with
global universities and world-class entrepreneurs.
www.tandemlaunch.com
SOURCE Aerial Technologies Inc.