Founded in 2020, East Coast aviation technology startup IoTviation makes PlaneWatch, a portable, cloud-connected camera security system for parked and unattended aircraft. The product grew from founder and CEO Husam Abdalwahid’s experience as an aircraft operator and is designed to let owners and operators monitor aircraft remotely during ground operations. PlaneWatch debuted at NBAA BACE 2023, and IoTviation is a member of the National Business Aviation Association.
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National Business Aviation Association membership
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Lighthouse AvionicsBorn from a Hilliard police chief’s effort to bring Drone First Responder operations to Ohio, Lighthouse Avionics builds passive airspace-awareness systems for counter-drone security, remote towers, and beyond-visual-line-of-sight flights. Founded in 2021, the Hilliard company developed its VICTOR platform from early radar and computer-vision work into deployable optical detection systems, including a remote tower operating at Springfield-Beckley Municipal Airport. Its dual-use technology serves public safety and commercial drone operators alongside defense and critical-infrastructure missions.COLUMBUS, OH
ParaWave, LLCFounded in 2022, Central Ohio’s ParaWave builds computer-vision software and domestically assembled drone systems for first responders, defense teams, and infrastructure operators. Its Shepherd.AI platform lets operators describe what they need to find in plain language, then detects and alerts on those matches in live or recorded video. ParaWave was founded by aerospace engineers Adithya Ramaswami and Jack Murray and conducts its core research, development, operations, and product assembly in the United States.MARYSVILLE, OH
Unmanned AeronauticsFounded in 2015 by aerospace manufacturer Jon Ragland in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, Unmanned Aeronautics builds American-made fixed-wing unmanned aircraft for surveillance, security, mapping and surveying. Its GhostRay UAS has operated around the clock in harsh, remote conditions under a U.S. Department of State contract supporting the Kenya Defense Force, while the smaller XRay platforms bring VTOL and large-area mapping capability to commercial and civil-government work. The company also designs and manufactures its aircraft in-house and provides pilot, payload-operator and maintenance training.336411CENTRAL CITY, PA
The AIRO GroupThe AIRO Group brings autonomous aircraft, AI-enabled avionics and mission training together for military, government and commercial operators. Its portfolio spans Sky-Watch uncrewed systems—including the combat-proven RQ-35 Heidrun, trusted by Ukraine’s armed forces since 2022—and Aspen Avionics, whose products have earned more than 600 FAA certifications. Co-founder Joe Burns, a former United Airlines captain with more than 35 years in aerospace, leads the company alongside a leadership team with deep aviation, defense and manufacturing experience.