October 15, 2024 Portfolio

Beacon AI: Copilot for Pilots 

Beacon AI is working to save lives. Human error remains the leading cause of aviation accidents and deaths, with roughly 80% of incidents attributable to mistakes made by pilots or ground crews (source). Beacon AI’s technology aims to reduce these errors by providing pilots with real-time, context-aware AI support, helping them make better decisions in high-pressure situations, for example, providing support during repetitive pre-takeoff tasks that are prone to human error.

Beacon AI’s tools also offer the ability to reduce operational costs, particularly through fuel optimization and more efficient flight planning. This lets pilots be more efficient, which isn’t just better for the aerospace industry, but it also serves a national security need of being a force multiplier for our aviation professionals.

The Founder: A Rare Combination of Expertise and Purpose

Matt Cox, Beacon AI’s founder, has a uniquely suited background for augmenting aviation safety. As a former Navy F-18 fighter pilot, he’s experienced firsthand the challenges of operating in high-stress environments where snap decisions are a matter of life and death. He’s been very close to situations where human error among pilots and ground crews had major consequences to those involved. He was always thinking:  what would it take for a human pilot to reduce their cognitive load and fly safer? 

This front line experience provided the spark that would become Beacon AI, and continues to serve as a deep, personal mission to prevent the kinds of tragedies he witnessed during his service. Matt’s connection to the problem gives him a level of dedication that we believe is essential for tackling such a complex, impactful challenge.

Upon completing his service, Matt made a pivot to the private sector and became a leader of engineering teams at Cruise. He spent a couple years there furthering his technical expertise, specifically within autonomy, building a crucial skill set to bring his vision into reality. After Cruise, Matt also spent time at the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) and Scale AI, learning how to navigate the Department of Defense, which is crucial in building a successful dual-use company.

Building on What Works: Augmented Autonomy

Rather than trying to build brand new aircraft that replace human pilots completely, Beacon AI offers tools that assist pilots by reducing cognitive load and enhancing decision-making during critical moments. Beacon AI’s technology works with how planes are flown today, delivering actionable insights and improving safety by integrating with existing flight decks, as opposed to attempting to develop brand new autonomy technologies. Unlike short-range, relatively low-speed travel in automobiles, we’re still years away from foolproof Level 5 autonomy when flying 600 MPH at 30,000 feet.  

This focus on augmentation rather than replacement aligns with our view that when technology involves human passengers, real, scalable value will come from empowering human operators, rather than eliminating them.

A Track Record of Success in a High-Pressure Environment

Beacon AI has already made remarkable progress. They’ve secured multiple Department of Defense contracts (including with the U.S. Air Force and USSOCOM) – an achievement that highlights their ability to deliver value in one of the most challenging, high-stakes environments. The military has more flexibility to roll out innovative technologies, because they control their aircraft, personnel, work process, air bases and air space more fully than any commercial operator. This allows Beacon AI to rapidly deploy and demonstrate the capability of their solutions by working closely with the Department of Defense.

Commercial traction is also building as they pilot and partner with multiple commercial airlines. This early interest from commercial players underscores the broad applicability of Beacon AI’s technology across both defense and commercial aviation.

A Commitment to National Security and Public Safety 

At Costanoa Ventures, we are committed to investing in companies that push the boundaries of innovation. Similarly, with our earlier investments in National Security, which we’ve written about previously, we’ve become committed to and quite familiar with the needs of the Department of Defense and comfortable with the timelines and opportunities in a Federal go-to-market.

The aviation industry is at a crossroads. On the one hand, there’s rising demand for air travel, but on the other, the industry faces severe operational challenges – from increasing safety to increasing throughput through limited airspace and airport facilities. At Costanoa, we’re excited not only by Beacon AI’s technology and team, but also by their mission to increase safety and efficiency within aviation. We believe in Matt’s vision, the progress his team has already made, and the massive potential ahead. Taking his combined experience of being a fighter pilot and autonomy expert, we believe Matt is one of the best to tackle the issue of deploying elements of autonomy within aviation. Beacon AI’s ability to save lives, reduce costs, and improve safety makes this an investment with a huge opportunity, but most importantly, an investment in national security and public safety.

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Founder & Managing Partner

Greg Sands

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Michael Parker