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§ Private Profile · Syracuse, NY, USA
RF sensing technology and airspace monitoring solutions for defense, critical infrastructure, and public safety.
Hidden Level, based in Syracuse, New York, develops advanced RF sensing technologies for detecting and locating drones, low-altitude aircraft, and balloons, providing real-time airspace monitoring solutions without requiring customers to own or maintain hardware. The company has raised over $150 million in total capital, including a $65 million Series C round in 2024 led by DFJ Growth and a $35-$42 million Series B round. With approximately 100 employees, Hidden Level serves defense, critical infrastructure, and public safety sectors, counting the U.S. DoD, NASA, and partners like Lockheed Martin and Booz Allen Hamilton among its clientele. Its investor base includes Revolution Growth, Booz Allen Ventures, and Washington Harbour Partners. Hidden Level was founded in 2018 by Jeff Cole and Gary Dominicos.
Hidden Level has raised $92.0M across 3 funding rounds.
Hidden Level has raised $92.0M in total across 3 funding rounds.
Hidden Level has raised $92.0M in total across 3 funding rounds.
Hidden Level's investors include DFJ Growth, 2.12 Angels, Kevin Hartz, AME Cloud Ventures, Andreessen Horowitz, Angelic Ventures, Coinbase Ventures, Matt Ocko, DFJ, Dispersion Capital, Dreamers VC, Founders Fund.
Hidden Level has raised $92.0M across 3 funding rounds. Most recently, it raised $65.0M Series C in February 2025.
| Date | Round | Lead Investors | Other Investors | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 1, 2025 | $65M Series C | DFJ Growth | 2.12 Angels, Kevin Hartz, AME Cloud Ventures, Andreessen Horowitz, Angelic Ventures, Coinbase Ventures, Matt Ocko, DFJ, Dispersion Capital, Dreamers VC, Founders Fund, Goodwater Capital, Greylock, Hardware Club, Shawn Modarresi, Locus Ventures, Marcy Venture Partners, Mayfield, Menlo Ventures, OFF The Grid Ventures, Pantera Capital, South Park Commons, The HIT Forge, Uncork Capital, Verified Capital, Balaji Srinivasan, Chris Kelly, James Hong, Jared Leto, JAY Z, Jeff Seibert, John Hennessy, Shervin Pishevar | Announced |
| May 24, 2023 | $10M Venture Round | — | — | Announced |
| Jun 1, 2021 | $17M Series A | — | Lobby Capital, Plug & Play Ventures | Announced |
Hidden Level is a Syracuse, New York-based technology company founded in 2018 that develops advanced RF sensing solutions, including passive radar, drone detection, and electronic warfare technologies.[1][2][3][4] The company serves defense organizations like the U.S. DoD, NASA, and military branches, as well as critical infrastructure and public safety sectors, by providing real-time detection and tracking of aerial threats such as drones, aircraft, balloons, and their operators to enhance national security and airspace monitoring.[2][3][4][6] With approximately 100 employees, Hidden Level has raised over $120M in funding, including a recent $65M Series C and prior $100M round, fueling manufacturing expansion, international growth, and a new 73,000-square-foot headquarters in Syracuse set for 2026 completion.[1][3][4] Its vertically integrated approach delivers scalable hardware and data-as-a-service options, emphasizing undetectable, cost-effective sensors for contested environments.[4][6]
Hidden Level was co-founded in 2018 by Jeffrey (Jeff) Cole, who serves as CEO, and Gary Dominicos, both bringing over 20 years of expertise in advanced sensing from roles at the DoD, NASA, aviation authorities, and related fields.[1][2][4] The idea emerged to revolutionize RF sensing for safer airspace, starting with initial production of the "Breaker" product in March 2020 and a NASA/STC award in November 2020.[2] Early traction included a partnership with Uber Elevate (later acquired by Joby Aviation) in July 2020, establishing corporate HQ at Geddes Street and securing $17.6M Series A in June 2021, followed by the first Airspace Monitoring System (AMS) installation in Arlington, TX, in October 2021.[2] These milestones built on the founders' defense tech and uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS) experience, positioning Hidden Level for rapid scaling amid rising drone threats.[2][4]
Hidden Level stands out in the crowded drone detection and RF sensing market through these key strengths:
Competitors like Dedrone, Fortem Technologies, and D-Fend Solutions focus on similar counter-drone tech, but Hidden Level's passive, broad-spectrum approach and vertical integration give it an edge in stealth and versatility.[3]
Hidden Level rides the surge in drone proliferation and airspace security threats, from commercial UAS growth to adversarial low-altitude incursions, amplified by geopolitical tensions and incidents targeting critical infrastructure.[3][4][6] Timing is ideal amid U.S. DoD/NASA investments in counter-UAS and advanced sensing, with market forces like regulatory pushes for FCC-compliant tech and international expansion favoring scalable, passive solutions over detectable active radars.[2][3][4] The company influences the ecosystem by pioneering multifunction RF tech for national security, enabling safer urban integration of drones (e.g., via early Uber Elevate ties) and setting standards for undetectable monitoring that protects troops, cities, and infrastructure.[2][4][6]
Hidden Level is primed for accelerated growth, leveraging its $120M+ funding to ramp manufacturing, launch the 2026 Syracuse HQ, and pursue global deployments amid escalating aerial threats.[1][3][4] Trends like AI-enhanced sensing, electronic warfare evolution, and data-as-a-service for commercial airspace will shape its path, potentially expanding into urban air mobility and allied international markets.[3][6] Its influence may evolve from niche defense innovator to ecosystem leader, powering a "sensing layer" for safer skies—delivering on its founding mission to safeguard people and places through bleeding-edge, purpose-driven RF technology.[2][4][6]