It started with a childhood dream—an R2-D2-like companion to assist in flight. Today, that fantasy is becoming reality thanks to Beacon AI, a Californian startup founded by former Navy pilot Matt Cox. The company, on a mission to put an AI assistant in every cockpit, has just announced a major milestone: the completion of its $15 million Series A funding round, led by Costanoa Ventures with participation from Scout Ventures, Sam Altman, and JetBlue Ventures. The round was oversubscribed, a testament to the growing interest in aviation intelligence.
Beacon AI’s journey began more than three years ago, with Cox drawing from his own experience as a military pilot. “Flatly, it is a product I wish I had when I was flying in the Navy,” he explains. Having witnessed the loss of numerous colleagues due to human error in high-stakes situations, Cox knew there had to be a way to reduce the potential for mistakes. His solution? An AI-powered copilot, named Murdock, that could work alongside human pilots to prevent errors and enhance safety.
In the world of aviation, a small mistake can have disastrous consequences. Cox points to the tragic crash of Asiana Airlines Flight 214 in 2013, where human error led to the death of three passengers and injuries to over 180 others. This is the kind of disaster Beacon AI is working to prevent. “When I look at a lot of the near misses in the news today, at least the non-mechanical ones, the vast majority are potentially preventable human errors,” Cox says.
But it’s not just commercial aviation that stands to benefit from Beacon’s technology. The startup has already secured ten Department of Defense (DoD) contracts, with an 11th on the horizon. Their work with military pilots, including long-haul missions where fatigue is a major factor, shows how vital this AI-driven assistance can be in reducing risks. Earlier this year, Beacon completed Phase 2 of a prototype under an Other Transaction Agreement (OTA) with the US Special Operations Command, which focused on improving human-machine interaction to combat fatigue and cognitive risks.
Beacon AI’s solution isn’t about replacing pilots but enhancing their capabilities. Cox believes the key lies in combining the best of both worlds: advanced software that processes data quickly and efficiently, and human decision-making that excels in complex, unpredictable situations. The company’s AI assistant is designed to help with routine tasks, freeing pilots to focus on more critical elements of flight.
“We feel there’s an obvious gap in the system,” Cox explains. “Airplanes have been remotely piloted since 1917, but the real gains will come from better data and improved decision-making.”
Building that data is a core part of Beacon’s strategy. Currently, the team is focused on creating a rich, context-driven dataset similar to what human pilots use, which will serve as the foundation for the AI’s learning. As more data is collected, the system will become increasingly effective, enabling incremental improvements much like advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) in cars.
The $15 million Series A will fuel Beacon’s growth as the team prepares for its first external deployments and continues its work with DoD and commercial partners like Emirates Airlines. The company has already doubled its workforce to meet the rising demand and plans to expand further, particularly in the San Francisco Bay Area.
For Cox, this funding round is a significant step towards making his childhood dream a reality. “Beacon’s job is to pull the inevitable future to the present,” he says. With the support of leading investors and the aviation industry, that future is now within reach.