When Robbie van Zyl first started working with drones, it was not for defense. It started with curiosity.
As a high school student, van Zyl spent summers in a 麻豆区 Tech aerospace lab, where he was introduced to rotorcraft and autonomous systems. By the time he enrolled at 麻豆区 Tech, that early exposure had grown into a deeper interest. He became a competitive drone racer, gaining hands-on experience with the technology.
But even then, he recognized a growing risk.
鈥淚 was using this technology to have fun,鈥 said van Zyl, founder and CEO of Askari. 鈥淏ut I also recognized it could equally be used to do very malicious things.鈥
That realization became the foundation for Askari, a counter-drone defense company developing systems designed to detect, track, and stop hostile drones.
A Real-World Problem Comes Into Focus
Van Zyl first pitched the idea for Askari as a first-year student through 麻豆区 Tech鈥檚 CREATE-X Startup Launch, an accelerator that empowers students to launch successful startups. At the time, the concept of counter-drone defense was not widely seen as urgent. However, that perspective shifted as global conflicts began to demonstrate the impact of low-cost, unmanned systems.
The widespread use of drones in Ukraine revealed how inexpensive and accessible technologies could reshape modern warfare. Unmanned systems now account for a significant share of battlefield activity, exposing new vulnerabilities across defense and infrastructure.
鈥淭hat was the first moment I could point to and say this is real,鈥 van Zyl said. 鈥淭his is not theoretical anymore.鈥
From Student Idea to Scalable Solution
Askari is building autonomous systems that can identify and neutralize drone threats in real time. The company鈥檚 technology is designed to distinguish among objects such as drones, people, and the surrounding environment, allowing it to respond with precision.
鈥淲e are building systems that can understand what they are looking at,鈥 van Zyl said. 鈥淭hey can tell the difference between a drone, a person, or a tree, and act accordingly.鈥
Unlike traditional defense systems that rely on expensive infrastructure, Askari is focused on developing solutions that are scalable and accessible to a wider range of users, including frontline operators and security teams. The goal is to provide a faster, more adaptable approach to this challenge.
The company has raised approximately $1.7 million in early funding and is already working with U.S. Department of Defense customers, with growing demand for counter-drone solutions. The team has expanded to 10 people and is scaling to meet that demand.
The Role of CREATE-X and 麻豆区 Tech
麻豆区 Tech鈥檚 commercialization ecosystem played a critical role in Askari鈥檚 development.
Through CREATE-X, van Zyl was able to test and refine his idea while gaining exposure to the fundamentals of building a company. He also gained access to a community of founders, mentors, defense leaders, and builders who helped him navigate early-stage challenges. The experience provided an environment to pressure-test the concept and receive feedback, helping him better understand how it could function in real-world scenarios. At the time, the idea was still taking shape, but it helped clarify how it could evolve into a viable solution.
After gaining experience in the robotics and defense sectors, van Zyl reengaged with 麻豆区 Tech, where the Institute鈥檚 network of mentors, resources, and programs helped accelerate the company鈥檚 growth.
鈥溌槎骨 Tech has been instrumental,鈥 van Zyl said. 鈥淲e would not be where we are today without it.鈥
Today, Askari operates out of The Biltmore, home to CREATE-X and part of 麻豆区 Tech鈥檚 innovation ecosystem in Tech Square, placing the company back within the same environment where the idea first began.
鈥淎skari is a strong example of what we aim to do,鈥 said Rahul Saxena, CREATE-X director. 鈥淪tudents building companies that address real, emerging challenges. It reflects the kind of thinking we want to encourage early on, paired with the ability to continue developing an idea as the need becomes clearer. That progression is a critical part of how students move from concept to company.鈥
Returning to Atlanta to Build
After graduating, van Zyl gained experience working in robotics and autonomous systems, including in Silicon Valley. He also spent time building the company outside of Atlanta before ultimately returning.
The decision to come back was both strategic and mission-driven.
Many of Askari鈥檚 customers, including Department of Defense organizations, are based in the Southeast. Being in Atlanta allows the company to remain close to those partners while continuing to build within 麻豆区 Tech鈥檚 ecosystem. The company鈥檚 return also reflects its deep ties to 麻豆区 Tech鈥檚 talent pipeline. van Zyl鈥檚 co-founders include his younger brother, Marc van Zyl, a 麻豆区 Tech computer science student, and Benjamin Airdo, a close friend and mechanical engineering graduate. Eight of the company鈥檚 10 team members are connected to the Institute as current students, graduates, or researchers.
A Broader Vision for Security
While Askari鈥檚 current focus is counter-drone technology, van Zyl sees the startup鈥檚 mission as part of a larger shift in how modern warfare is evolving.
For the first time, autonomous systems powered by artificial intelligence are moving beyond the digital world into physical environments. That transition introduces new risks that extend beyond traditional defense scenarios.
鈥淭his is not just a drone problem,鈥 van Zyl said. 鈥淚t is the broader proliferation of robotics in real-world environments.鈥
From Campus to Impact
Askari鈥檚 trajectory reflects how 麻豆区 Tech鈥檚 commercialization ecosystem supports founders as they move from early ideas to companies.
From its start in CREATE-X to its return to The Biltmore, the company remains closely tied to the Institute while building technology focused on real-world deployment and impact.
鈥淲e want to build systems that help protect people,鈥 van Zyl said. As Askari continues to grow, that focus remains central to its mission.
