Advent Atum raises $2M to drive cutting-edge defence technology innovation

Advent Atum, an Aboriginal-owned and operated defence technology company, has successfully raised close to $2 million in a recent seed funding round to accelerate innovation in its mission critical AI-powered HORAS system.

The HORAS system has garnered attention for its advanced capabilities and potential to enhance defence operations. The Threat Detection and Engagement (TDE) system fuses cutting edge artificial intelligence with ballistics, C2 and intuitive interfacing to identify, track and engage threats.

In recent live fire development trials in April and July, Advent Atum with their customer came off a blazing start with five drone defeats at several hundred meters, showcasing the system's precision and effectiveness in real-world scenarios. These outcomes reflect a real solution to some of the most pressing threats facing the ADF and their allies, countering widespread autonomous systems at speed and scale. Currently, Advent Atum is delivering the HORAS system through trials in Australia and Ukraine. This opportunity for Advent Atum to deliver capability to Australia and their partners in Ukraine marks a significant milestone in the company's growth and development.

This capital raise was led by defence and national security venture capital firm Phase Alpha, with participation from ARQ Capital, Archangel Consulting and Billfolda Ventures alongside funds from Banksia and the D10x Program supported through the Defence Trailblazer.

Before securing this investment, Advent Atum had already made significant strides in developing their technology, advancing HORAS from Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 3 to TRL 5 on a bootstrapped budget of just $75,000. This rapid progression, achieved with limited resources, underscores the team’s ingenuity and the potential of their flagship product, the HORAS Intelligent Fire Control System.

Advent Atum's team brings a wealth of experience from some of the most respected names in the defence and technology sectors. With backgrounds at companies such as Rheinmetall Defence, Super CAT, Thales, Tesla, Y Combinator’s Amp Up as well as the space tech sector, the team is well-equipped to tackle the challenges of modern defence technology. This deep industry expertise has been instrumental in the development of the HORAS system, ensuring it meets the rigorous standards required for military applications.

This funding round was oversubscribed, highlighting the strong interest and confidence in Advent Atum's innovative technologies and what they can deliver to the warfighter.

Phase Alpha’s leadership in this investment round reflects a strategic alignment with Advent Atum's mission to revolutionise defence technology through cutting-edge AI and intelligent systems. The involvement of ARQ Capital and Archangel Consulting further underscores the company's potential for rapid growth and impact in the defence sector and a national and global scale.

The addition of Billfolda Ventures and Banksia as investors provides Advent Atum with a diverse base of support, positioning the company well for future expansion. The acceptance into D10X Accelerator not only provides financial backing but also access to a network of industry experts, resources, and mentorship that will be invaluable as Advent Atum continues to scale its operations.

Advent Atum's success in securing this funding is a testament to the company's innovative approach and commitment to delivering cutting-edge solutions in the defence industry. As an Aboriginal-owned and operated business, Advent Atum is also playing a crucial role in promoting diversity and inclusion within the sector.

" Let’s not beat around the bush—this investment is a game-changer for us. Our technology is making waves because it is showing promising results in its early days, plain and simple. We’re here to shake up the defence industry, and with the backing of these investors, we’re more than ready to deliver on that promise. Fire control systems haven’t really changed much technologically since the early '90s, and we’re here to disrupt that status quo." - Andy Wilson, CEO Advent Atum

Looking ahead, Advent Atum plans to use the funds to further develop and commercialise the HORAS Intelligent Fire Control System, expand its customer base, and capitalise upon its participation in the D10X Accelerator program. With the strong backing of its investors and the momentum from this funding round, Advent Atum is poised for significant growth and impact in the defence technology landscape.

Advent Atum will be showcasing its capabilities at Landforces, Army Innovation Day, and MSPO Poland in September 2024. Original article: https://www.defenceconnect.com.au/joint-capabilities/14589-advent-atum-raises-2m-to-drive-cutting-edge-defence-technology-innovation

Advent Atum has been accepted into Nvidia Inception Program

Media Release Sydney, Australia – 8 April 2024 For Advent Atum, an Australian-based defence technology start-up focusing on developing intelligent fire control systems, joining the NVIDIA Inception program could offer several tangible and strategic benefits. Given NVIDIA's leadership in AI, GPU technology, and deep learning, here's how the Inception program could specifically benefit such a company:

1. Access to Cutting-edge Technology  Advent Atum could gain access to NVIDIA's latest GPU technology and deep learning platforms, crucial for developing and running sophisticated AI models required for intelligent fire control systems. NVIDIA's technology could significantly accelerate processing and analysis times, leading to more efficient and accurate systems.

2. Technical Support and Expertise NVIDIA provides direct support from its experts, which could be invaluable for solving complex technical challenges. This access can help Advent Atum refine our AI models, optimise our computational algorithms, and enhance overall system performance.

3. Training and Development Through the Inception program, the team at Advent Atum could access training on the latest AI and machine learning techniques, tools, and best practices. This knowledge can be directly applied to improve our product offerings.

4. Marketing and Networking Opportunities NVIDIA Inception provides platforms for visibility among potential investors, customers, and partners through NVIDIA's marketing channels and events. For a startup like Advent Atum, this exposure could be critical for attracting investment, entering new markets, and establishing partnerships within the defense industry and beyond.

5. Cloud Computing Credits Often, startups in the Inception program receive cloud computing credits, which could be particularly beneficial for a tech startup needing substantial computational power for training and deploying AI models.

6. Collaborative Opportunities Being part of NVIDIA's ecosystem offers unique collaboration opportunities with other startups, research institutions, and industry leaders. This could lead to potential partnerships, collaborative development projects, or even co-creation of new technologies.

7. Customised Resources:  NVIDIA Inception program tailors its resources to fit the specific needs of start-ups at various stages of development. For Advent Atum, this means getting support that aligns with our phases of product development and market penetration, ensuring relevant and impactful assistance.
   

In summary, for Advent Atum, leveraging the NVIDIA Inception program could accelerate our technology development, enhance our product capabilities, and potentially open new opportunities for growth and collaboration in the defence technology arena.

Advent Atum and DefenceX Forge Strategic Alliance to Elevate Sovereign Supply Chain

Media Release

Sydney, Australia – 7 April 2024 In a landmark announcement that promises to redefine the boundaries of defence technology, Advent Atum, Australia's first Aboriginal owned defence technology start-up, has unveiled a strategic partnership with the newly minted DefenceX and its subsidiary, Astute Systems. This alliance focuses on the design, support, and manufacturing of custom HORAS edge compute solutions tailored for the innovative HORAS TDE intelligent fire control system.

Advent Atum is at the forefront of supplying advanced fire control systems within Australia, which allows it customers to upgrade its in service and future systems for counter UAS and automated engagement solutions for Remote Weapon Stations, Tanks and other platforms. The partnership with DefenceX, a nascent yet remarkably innovative player in the defence sector, signifies a pivotal advancement in the commercialisation and enhancement of military-grade technologies. A key feature of this collaboration is the emphasis on the HORAS TDE system's sight agnosticism, indicating a significant opportunity for sight suppliers to integrate their solutions with cutting-edge fire control systems.

DefenceX CEO Ross Newman working closely with Advent Atum Team. Source: Advent Atum

Andy Wilson, CEO of Advent Atum, highlighted the inclusive and forward-thinking approach of the partnership, stating, "Our collaboration with DefenceX and Astute Systems not only signifies a leap in securing supply chains and technological advancements but also underscores our commitment to interoperability and open architecture in defence technology. The HORAS TDE system is designed to be sight agnostic, offering a versatile platform for sight and camera system suppliers, and radar suppliers both sovereign and worldwide. We strongly encourage suppliers to engage with us to explore how their solutions can be supported, enhancing the effectiveness and adaptability with HORAS TDE across various operational scenarios."

Multi Object Tracking Using Thermal Camera Source: Advent Atum

Ross Newman, CEO of DefenceX and the former chief engineer at Rheinmetall, expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership's potential to foster innovation and inclusivity. "Joining forces with Advent Atum is a thrilling step forward. Their HORAS TDE system represents the pinnacle of fire control technology, and our collaboration aims to broaden its applicability and efficiency. We see this as an invitation to sight suppliers globally to contribute to a technology that promises to revolutionise the defence industry". "This partnership is not just about combining forces; it's about opening doors to widespread innovation and collaboration within the defence sector". By leveraging Advent Atum's groundbreaking technology with DefenceX's fresh perspective on defence solutions and Astute Systems' manufacturing capabilities, the alliance is poised to deliver unparalleled solutions in intelligent fire control systems, benefiting clients worldwide.

For more information on Advent Atum, and opportunities for sight/sensor suppliers, please contact:

Andy Wilson CEO, Advent Atum

adventatumhq@adventatum.com

About Advent Atum 

Advent Atum stands as Australia's first Aboriginal owned and operated defence technology company, specialising in the development and supply of advanced fire control systems. With innovation and excellence at its core, Advent Atum aims to enhance global defence capabilities, offering cutting-edge solutions that meet the diverse needs of modern military operations.

About HORAS TDE

HORAS TDE is one of the product offerings from its HORAS ecosystem. HORAS TDE stands for High Order Reinforced Autonomous System – Threat Detection and Engagement. HORAS TDE is an AI backed advanced fire control system designed to support and integrate with legacy and future sights, sensors, and weapons platforms. HORAS TDE Hardware is 6x smaller and easily upgradable compared to existing systems in service. HORAS TDE offering provides customers a solid through life support model to guarantee leading edge in capability improvements for years to come.  

About DefenceX  DefenceX emerges as an innovative Brisbane-based start-up in the defence industry, committed to developing and delivering high-quality embedded software solutions. Together with its subsidiary Astute Systems, focuses on providing the best in class edge compute hardware, DefenceX is dedicated to setting new standards in technology and service, driving progress in the defence sector.