In an era where personal security has become increasingly complex, a new home protection startup is reimagining how technology can safeguard our most private spaces. Sauron, founded by serial entrepreneurs Kevin Hartz and Jack Abraham, emerged from a deeply personal frustration with existing security systems that failed to deliver comprehensive protection.

Born from a real-life incident where Hartz's home security system did not alert him to an intruder attempting entry, the startup aims to create a military-grade security solution for tech-savvy, high-end customers. Named provocatively after the all-seeing eye from "The Lord of the Rings," Sauron has already attracted significant investor interest, raising $18 million from notable backers including executives from Flock Safety, Palantir, and defense tech investors like 8VC.

Recently, the company made a strategic move by recruiting Maxime "Max" Bouvat-Merlin as its new CEO, bringing nearly a decade of product leadership experience from Sonos. Bouvat-Merlin candidly acknowledges that the company is still in a development phase, with a realistic product launch now projected for late 2026 — a significant shift from the original timeline.

The proposed security system is ambitiously comprehensive, combining advanced technologies like AI-driven intelligence, sophisticated sensors including LiDAR and thermal imaging, and round-the-clock human monitoring by former military and law enforcement professionals. Bouvat-Merlin sees striking parallels with his previous work at Sonos, particularly in targeting wealthy initial customers and building growth through word-of-mouth recommendations.

What sets Sauron apart is its focus on proactive deterrence. The CEO believes their solution can address critical market gaps, noting that current premium home security providers have small market shares and consistently negative customer satisfaction ratings. "Securing people's homes is important," Bouvat-Merlin explained, "but I'm especially excited about the deterrence aspect — changing potential criminals' minds before they make destructive choices."

The initial product will feature sophisticated camera pods containing multiple sensors — potentially incorporating up to 40 cameras with various tracking technologies. By starting in the premium market and establishing a reputation for supporting demanding clients, Sauron aims to eventually expand into what Bouvat-Merlin calls the "mass premium" segment.

While San Francisco's crime narrative has been complex during and after the pandemic, Sauron represents a forward-thinking approach to personal security. By combining cutting-edge technology with human-centric design, the startup hopes to transform how people think about protecting their most valuable asset: their home.