"In 2024, they launched Sauron - named after the sinister, all-seeing eye from "The Lord of the Rings" - to build what they envisioned as a military-grade home security system for tech elites. The concept resonated in Bay Area circles, where crime had become a constant topic during and after the pandemic, despite San Francisco Police Department statistics showing property crime and homicide rates declining last year."
"The startup raised $18 million from executives behind Flock Safety and Palantir, defense tech investors including 8VC, Abraham's startup lab Atomic, and Hartz's investment firm A*. It came out of stealth exactly a year ago, promising to launch in the first quarter of 2025 with a system combining AI-driven intelligence, advanced sensors like LiDAR and thermal imaging, and 24/7 human monitoring by former military and law enforcement personnel."
"After nearly nine years at Sonos, including a stint as chief product officer, Bouvat-Merlin took the helm of Sauron just last month. He's spending his first days on the job finalizing fundamental questions: which sensors to use, how exactly the deterrence system will work, and when the company can realistically get products into customers' homes. The answer to that last question? Later in 2026 at the earliest - a significant delay from the original timeline."
Kevin Hartz and Jack Abraham launched Sauron in 2024 to build a military-grade home security system for tech elites after personal security failures. The startup raised $18 million from investors including executives behind Flock Safety and Palantir, defense tech backers 8VC, Abraham's Atomic, and A*. Sauron came out of stealth a year ago promising a Q1 2025 launch featuring AI-driven intelligence, LiDAR and thermal imaging, and 24/7 monitoring by former military and law enforcement personnel. Maxime Bouvat-Merlin became CEO after nearly nine years at Sonos and is finalizing sensor choices, deterrence mechanics, and a phased rollout now expected no earlier than late 2026.
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