SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., May 6, 2024— Axon (Nasdaq: AXON), the global public safety technology leader, announced today it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Dedrone, a global leader in airspace security. Axon’s mission to Protect Life finds a powerful ally in Dedrone, whose innovative technologies provide immense value to public safety and national security entities worldwide by protecting against increasing drone threats and advancing the use of Drones as First Responders (DFR). Ultimately, upon completion of the acquisition, Dedrone will strengthen Axon’s ability to help customers safeguard their communities, improve response to critical incidents and protect even more lives in more places.
“By combining Axon’s 30-year legacy of innovation with Dedrone’s cutting-edge airspace security solutions, we aim to revolutionize public safety once again,” said Axon Founder and CEO Rick Smith. “Together, we will accelerate our efforts in creating a more advanced end-to-end drone solution that enables the good drones to fly and helps ensure the bad ones don’t.” Dedrone Chief Executive Officer Aaditya Devarakonda said: “Dedrone’s growing impact across industries such as federal governments, utilities and critical infrastructure, event venues, airports, correctional facilities and other enterprises, coupled with Axon’s powerful ecosystem of connected devices and software, will put us at the forefront of ensuring not only the safety of our communities but also the security of nations around the world.”
The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions and is expected to close in the second half of 2024. The terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Axon was advised by Sullivan & Cromwell LLP and Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP, and Dedrone was advised by Tidal Partners and Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr LLP in connection with the transaction.
Dedrone is the global leader in smart airspace security. Hundreds of commercial, government and military customers around the world rely on Dedrone’s comprehensive, command and control (C2) solution to protect against the persistent and escalating threat from drones while enabling “good” drones to fly. By leveraging AI/ML, Dedrone is the only solution that provides continuous, autonomous interrogation and verification of drones that enables both multi-sensor and multi-mitigation options onto a single “pane-of-glass.” Whether on-premise/air-gapped or in the cloud, Dedrone customers can easily detect, track, identify, analyze, and mitigate drone threats. Dedrone has been named one of TIME Magazine’s Best Inventions in 2023, Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies in 2024 and a CNBC Disruptor 50 recipient for 2023.Dedrone is headquartered in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area with additional offices around the world. For more information on drone-related activity visit our Global Incident Center or to reach our airspace security experts, visit dedrone.com and follow us on X, Vimeo, and LinkedIn.
Axon is the technology leader in global public safety. Our moonshot goal is to cut gun-related deaths between police and the public in the U.S. by 50% before 2033. Axon is building the public safety operating system of the future by integrating hardware devices and cloud software solutions that lead modern policing, defense and security. The Axon ecosystem includes TASER energy devices, body-worn cameras, in-car cameras, cloud-hosted digital evidence management solutions, productivity software, real-time operations capabilities and third-party integrations through Axon's partner network. Axon's growing global customer base includes first responders across international, federal, state and local law enforcement, fire, corrections and emergency medical services, as well as the justice sector, commercial enterprises and consumers.
Non-Axon trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Protect Life and the Delta Logo are trademarks of Axon Enterprise, Inc., some of which are registered in the US and other countries. For more information, visit www.axon.com/legal. All rights reserved.
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Forward-looking statements in this press release include, without limitation, statements of management’s strategies, goals and objectives and other similar expressions. Such statements give our current expectations or forecasts of future events; they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. Words such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “could,” “would,” “predict,” “potential,” “continue,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “future,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “estimate,” and similar expressions, as well as statements in future tense, identify forward-looking statements. However, not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words.
We cannot guarantee that any forward-looking statement will be realized, although we believe we have been prudent in our plans and assumptions. Achievement of future results is subject to risks, uncertainties and potentially inaccurate assumptions. The following important factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements: the parties’ ability to consummate the potential transaction and to meet expectations regarding the timing and completion thereof; and the risk that the parties may be unable to achieve the expected strategic, financial and other benefits of the potential transaction. Many events beyond our control may determine whether results we anticipate will be achieved. Should known or unknown risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove inaccurate, actual results could differ materially from past results and those anticipated, estimated or projected. You should bear this in mind as you consider forward-looking statements. Our Annual Report on Form 10-K and our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q list under the heading "Risk Factors" various important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from expected and historical results. These factors are intended as cautionary statements for investors within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, and investors should refer to them. You should understand that it is not possible to predict or identify all such factors. Consequently, you should not consider any such list to be a complete set of all potential risks or uncertainties.
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Alex Engel
Vice President, Corporate Communications
Press@Axon.com
Media ONLY Hotline: (480) 444-4000
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