Loading organizations...
§ Private Profile · San Francisco, CA, USA
Ware is a technology company.
Ware develops an autonomous drone system optimizing warehouse inventory. This solution combines self-flying drones with proprietary software for precise cycle counts and visible audits. Drones collect critical data, which the software analyzes into interactive reports, substantially enhancing inventory accuracy and operational efficiency.
Co-founded by Ian Smith and Joseph Moster, Ware originated from their deep drone industry experience. They recognized a pressing need for safer, more efficient inventory tracking in warehouses, driven by labor challenges and e-commerce growth. Their vision applied autonomous drone technology to address these evolving logistical demands.
Ware serves diverse third-party logistics clients, providing tailored inventory solutions for any warehouse size. The company offers comprehensive system support, maintenance, and remote deployment. Ware's vision is to expand its autonomous drone technology globally and into new verticals, continuously demonstrating the significant value of drone applications in logistics.
Ware has raised $5.5M across 3 funding rounds.
Ware has raised $5.5M in total across 3 funding rounds.
Ware has raised $5.5M in total across 3 funding rounds.
Ware's investors include Coughdrop Capital, UP.Partners, Tom McInerney, Adam Bry, Thomas McInerney, 2048 Ventures, Bloomberg Beta, Awesome Ventures, Jetstream, M13, Moving Capital, Resolute Ventures.
Ware is a San Francisco-based technology company founded in 2019 that developed a drone-powered, AI-driven platform for autonomous inventory monitoring and supply chain optimization in warehouses and distribution centers.[1][2] Its core product uses drones equipped with computer vision and machine learning to capture real-time inventory data, generate reports, audit history, and integrate with existing warehouse management systems (WMS), serving third-party logistics, retail, manufacturing, and grocery sectors to boost accuracy and efficiency.[1][2] Now acquired by Gather AI, Ware addressed critical pain points in manual inventory tracking, with reported revenue of $5M–$20M and 201–500 employees before the acquisition; it raised seed funding led by UP Partners, with participation from Bloomberg Beta and others.[1][2][6]
The platform transformed warehouse operations by enabling drones to scan entire facilities without GPS reliance or heavy on-site setup, providing cloud-based analytics for faster decision-making and automation of routine tasks.[1]
Ware was founded in 2019 in San Francisco by Ian and Joe (full names not specified in sources), with Joe Moster as CTO—previously at Uber's self-driving program and Airware (unmanned aerial systems)—and Isaac Reed as CEO.[1][2] The idea emerged from recognizing inefficiencies in warehouse inventory logistics, leveraging expertise in drones, robotics, and machine learning to disrupt manual processes in supply chains.[1][2]
Early traction came swiftly: Ware secured a seed round led by UP Partners, introduced by Bloomberg Beta, with investments from AI Sprouts and angels like Skydio CEO Adam Bry, validating its machine intelligence approach for warehouse data insights.[1][6] A 2021 PR announcement highlighted funding to advance drone tech, marking a pivotal moment in scaling its enterprise-grade platform.[6] Ware later integrated into Gather AI, evolving its standalone drone solution into broader autonomous monitoring capabilities.[1]
Ware rode the explosion in warehouse automation amid e-commerce surges (e.g., post-2020 supply chain disruptions), where labor shortages and accuracy demands hit 99%+ inventory targets.[1] Timing aligned with maturing drone tech, computer vision advances, and robotics investments, enabling scalable alternatives to human cycle counts.[1][6]
Market forces like rising logistics costs and just-in-time inventory pressures favored Ware, influencing the ecosystem by pioneering drone-WMS integration and inspiring competitors like Airgility in aerial autonomy.[1] Its Gather AI acquisition amplifies impact, embedding Ware's tech into larger AI-driven logistics platforms amid a sector projected for massive growth in autonomous systems.[1]
Post-acquisition by Gather AI, Ware's drone inventory tech will likely expand into full-spectrum warehouse AI, integrating with emerging robotics for end-to-end automation.[1] Trends like AI edge computing, 5G-enabled drones, and sustainability-driven efficiency will propel it, as global logistics seeks 24/7 operations amid labor crunches.
Expect Ware's influence to grow through Gather AI's scaling, potentially dominating autonomous monitoring while spawning new standards for drone safety and data privacy in warehouses—reinforcing its role as a machine intelligence pioneer in supply chain disruption.[1][6]
Ware has raised $5.5M across 3 funding rounds. Most recently, it raised $25K Seed in October 2024.
| Date | Round | Lead Investors | Other Investors | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 1, 2024 | $25K Seed | — | Coughdrop Capital, UP.Partners, TOM Mcinerney | Announced |
| Oct 23, 2020 | $2.5M Seed | UP.Partners | Adam BRY, Thomas Mcinerney, 2048 Ventures, Bloomberg Beta | Announced |
| Aug 1, 2020 | $3M Seed | — | Awesome Ventures, Jetstream, M13, Moving Capital, Resolute Ventures, UP.Partners, Curtis Chambers, Grant Miller | Announced |