Melbourne's Forward Deployed raises $702,000 to take chemical detector to production
What's the deal? Melbourne national security startup Forward DeployedDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom → has raised US$647.1K from Innovation VictoriaDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom → and Swinburne University of Technology. The two investors each contributed US$323.5K through Innovation Victoria's University Innovation Platform.
What does it do? Founded in 2023, Forward Deployed develops the DINGO (Deployable Infrared Gas Observer), a chemical threat detection platform that combines field-ready sensing hardware with real-time software. It identifies chemical hazards within seconds and is designed to integrate with autonomous systems.
Who's behind it? Chief executive officer Richard Hebden and chief technology officer Alex Barry, both Swinburne alumni, cofounded the company with chief growth officer Liam Eldon. The startup collaborates with the university on autonomous sensing and data processing.
What's the money for? The funds will support development and independent validation of DINGO toward production, plus commercial growth. Forward Deployed already holds contracts in Australia, the US, and UK.
Why now? The raise aims to move DINGO from early-stage research into production — the key test being whether the company can deliver commercial-scale systems. "Chemical threats have evolved significantly, but the technology used to detect and understand them has not," Hebden said.
What's the endgame? National security is the initial focus, with potential applications in biosecurity, agriculture, construction, and mining later. Innovation Victoria chief executive officer Rod Bristow said the investment would help translate university-connected research into commercial products and a growing Victorian business.
The signal: The round is modest against larger security-detection deals — Morgan Stanley Expansion CapitalDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom → backed US-based Viken Detection in July — but its focus on production readiness and cross-market contracts gives it more weight than a purely exploratory seed. The bet is that university research can be turned into deployable commercial hardware.
Read more: startupdaily.net
Image credit: SC Guard
