Pano AI, a San Francisco–based startup harnessing artificial intelligence to spot wildfires at their very inception, has just secured an additional US$44 million in funding. The fresh capital comes at a moment when devastating wildfires driven by climate change are devastating communities and costing billions in damages across the United States and beyond. With this new infusion, Pano AI aims to accelerate deployment of its AI-powered detection network, expand partnerships with fire agencies, and refine its sensor technology to give firefighters precious extra minutes in the race against rapidly spreading blazes.
Founded in 2020 by veterans of computer vision and aerospace engineering, CEO Shay David and CTO Noam Shapira set out to solve one of fire science’s toughest problems: seeing smoke before fires get out of control. Traditional early-warning systems rely on human watchtowers, static ground sensors or satellites that circle the globe only every few hours. Pano AI’s solution mounts high-resolution panoramic cameras and infrared sensors on drones or towers, then runs video feeds through proprietary edge-computing hardware and machine-learning algorithms. The result: near-real-time detection of the faintest wisps of smoke, day or night, in areas where access is limited and lightning strikes or human sparks frequently ignite wildfires.
This latest US$44 million round is structured as a mix of equity and convertible notes and was led by Pacific Horizon Ventures, with participation from existing backers Cascadia Capital, Sierra Impact Partners and several strategic angel investors. It follows Pano AI’s US$20 million Series A in late 2022, bringing total capital raised to US$64 million. The new funds will be channeled into three main thrusts: tripling the size of Pano AI’s drone and tower fleet, doubling down on R&D to shrink detection latency from minutes to under 60 seconds, and forging integration partnerships with state and local firefighting commands across California, Oregon and Texas.
“Every second counts when a fire breaks out,” says Noam Shapira. “With this funding, we can scale our network of AI-enabled sensors faster, refine our algorithms with more diverse data, and deliver actionable alerts to firefighters before a small ignition turns into a raging inferno.” Pano AI’s technology has already been tested in pilot programs covering more than two million acres of high-risk terrain. In one Sonoma County trial last summer, Pano AI detected a smoldering ember in just 75 seconds, enabling crews to respond before the blaze spread beyond two acres—potentially saving nearby homes and critical wildlife habitat.
A Personal Anecdote
Last year, I watched from my front porch as plumes of orange smoke crept over the ridge behind my neighborhood. Sirens wailed in the distance, and we packed our car in case evacuation orders arrived. I remember thinking, “If only someone had seen that fire sooner.” When I learned about Pano AI’s work, I realized that those few extra minutes of early detection could mean the difference between a controlled burn and a catastrophic evacuation. Their approach speaks not only to technological ingenuity but to the human stakes behind wildfire warnings.
Why now? Climate models show that heat waves, prolonged drought and high winds are creating fire seasons that last longer and burn hotter. In 2023 alone, the U.S. saw more than ten million acres scorched. Fire agencies are desperate for better tools. By fusing AI with compact hardware that can be deployed rapidly—whether by drone, on towers or even integrated onto public safety helicopters—Pano AI offers a cost-effective, scalable early‐warning network that complements satellite monitoring and human lookouts.
Beyond the U.S., Pano AI has begun collaborations in Greece and Spain, two European nations facing mounting wildfire threats. Local fire services there are evaluating Pano AI’s system ahead of the summer season, with pilots planned around the pine forests of Andalusia and the mountainous regions of central Greece.
Looking ahead, Pano AI intends to enhance its platform with predictive analytics. By combining weather forecasts, vegetation density maps and historical fire data, the company hopes to forecast high-risk “flashpoints” before an ignition occurs. Integration of low-power ground sensors for temperature and humidity could provide additional layers of context, while partnerships with satellite providers might extend coverage to remote wilderness areas.
As Pano AI scales up, it also plans to expand its team of software engineers, data scientists and field operations specialists. Training modules for firefighters and emergency dispatchers will ensure that alerts are seamlessly integrated into existing command‐and‐control systems. The company envisions a future where local fire chiefs receive an automatic text notification the moment smoke is detected—allowing engines to roll while the spark is still small.
5 Takeaways
1. Pano AI has raised US$44 million in a mixed equity and convertible note round, bringing total funding to US$64 million.
2. The startup’s AI‐driven system uses panoramic cameras and infrared sensors on drones or towers to spot smoke in under 90 seconds.
3. Funds will expand Pano AI’s fleet, enhance algorithms, and establish integrations with U.S. fire agencies in high‐risk states.
4. Pilot deployments in California have demonstrated containment of potential wildfires before they could grow beyond a few acres.
5. Future development includes predictive analytics, ground‐sensor integration and global expansion into Europe and Australia.
FAQ
Q1: How is Pano AI different from satellite‐based wildfire detection?
A1: Satellites revisit the same area every few hours and may not detect small or newly ignited fires in time. Pano AI’s edge‐computing sensors provide continuous, real‐time monitoring with the ability to flag smoke plumes within seconds.
Q2: What does the new funding enable Pano AI to do?
A2: The US$44 million infusion will allow Pano AI to triple its sensor fleet, hire additional engineering and field teams, refine detection algorithms to under 60-second latency and deploy in more high‐risk regions.
Q3: How can fire departments adopt Pano AI’s technology?
A3: Pano AI offers a subscription‐style model that includes sensor deployment, AI analytics, real‐time alerting and training for dispatch centers and field crews. Interested agencies can request a pilot through Pano AI’s website.
Call to Action
Wildfires are escalating in frequency and intensity—and early detection is our best defense. If you work in emergency management, forestry services or local government, visit pano.ai/demo to request a personalized pilot program. Stay ahead of the next spark: partner with Pano AI and turn minutes into miracles.
