AI subterranean mapping by Israeli startup could reveal hidden underground tunnels

The Israeli startup Exodigo, which specializes in AI-powered underground mapping, has experienced dramatic growth over the past year, doubling its sales.

Founded in 2021 by CEO Jeremy Suard and CTO Ido Ganon – both alumni of Israel’s elite military intelligence units 81 and 8200 – the company is quickly establishing itself as a leader in its field.

Its valuation has recently doubled to around $700 million. The company is successfully working with the energy and transportation sectors in the United States, Israel, and Europe. While the current focus is civilian, Exodigo’s AI tech solutions could potentially also boost national security for Israel and the United States by detecting underground tunnels, including those used by Hamas and other terrorist organizations. 

The company’s AI-driven technology produces detailed underground maps by combining various sensors that register rock formations, sinkholes, sewer systems, water pipelines, and everything else below the ground. The company’s scans offer clients valuable information where it is cost-efficient and safe to drill. 

“The success of this round came down to two main achievements,” Exodigo CEO Jeremy Suard stated. “First, we exploded in the U.S. In our previous round, we were strong in Israel and had solid pilot results with multiple clients. This year, those pilots turned into major commercial deals in America. Second, having more customers has proven consistency; it’s not just a client here or there. We now have a usable product with a clear product-market fit. We're really seeing that now."

One of the company’s biggest clients is the California High-Speed Rail project (CAHSR), an ambitious project that envisions a 500-mile bullet train line between San Francisco and Los Angeles, with train speeds expected to reach 220 miles per hour.

Suard revealed his big plans for the company’s future. “I want to scale this, double our R&D and do it fast. That’s the real reason for the raise – we need a lot more funding to grow into new products.”

Oren Zeev, one of Exodigo’s largest investors and founding partner at Zeev Ventures, believes that the company’s AI-driven underground mapping solution has great business potential in a global market estimated to be worth some $500 billion. 

“The company’s leadership is made up of world-class pioneers in AI and underground intelligence. They’ve created an entirely new category that’s growing at an extraordinary pace, with endless opportunities for expansion,” Zeev explained. 

The company currently has 395 employees in Israel, Europe, and the United States. 

Despite their military intelligence background, Exodigo’s founders currently avoid discussing the company’s potential capabilities to boost the mapping of underground terror tunnels. 

Hamas’ underground tunnels, nicknamed “Gaza Metro,” have played a critical role in the terror group’s military and political power in Gaza both prior to and during the ongoing war with Israel. 

“For the first time in the history of tunnel warfare... Hamas has built a tunnel network to gain not just a military advantage, but a political advantage, as well,” the West Point urban warfare military expert John Spencer assessed last year. The Iranian-backed Lebanese terrorist militia Hezbollah has also developed a large tunnel network. 

After 22 months of intense war, the Israeli military is believed to have acquired advanced tunnel detection experience and capabilities. 

However, Exodigo’s AI mapping solutions could potentially enhance Israel’s and America’s border security by addressing the ongoing challenge of underground tunnels used by terrorist organizations and criminal networks. For instance, the company’s solutions could be useful for the Trump administration’s plans to strengthen the southern border with Mexico.