alarm:clock

Homeland Security - Thursday, August 21, 2008

Post 9-11 Airport Security Startup Clear Raises $44.4M

On a trip through Denver International this week we couldn't help but be envious of the travelers who were gliding through the Clear line. Some jerk cut in front of our TSA line and of course the line ground to a halt. Another traveler explained that for $120 you get an annual Clear pass which gets you through security in a flash. If you take a plane a month the argument is simple. You could easily miss a plane flight as a result of slow security and the fees would cost you more than the cost of a Clear pass.

What we learned after looking into clear is that it was founded by the ever impressive Steve Brill. Who hasn't thought of better ways for TSA to work? Brill not only had this thought but built a company around it. And to date 200K people have bought the card.

Clear today announced that is has closed $44.4M from new Investor Spark Capital with Syncom Venture Partners and existing Investors Lockheed Martin, GE Security, Baker Capital and Lehman Brothers.

Clear's first year price is $128. Clear members are pre-screened and provided with a high-tech card which allows them to access designated airport security fast lanes nationwide. Clear currently operates in 18 airports. The airports are Albany, Cincinnati, Denver, Indianapolis, Jacksonville, LaGuardia, Little Rock, JFK, Newark, Oakland, Orlando, Reno, Salt Lake City, San Francisco, San José, Washington, DC’s Reagan and Dulles, and Westchester. Next up is Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson.

Clear says its lanes are 30% faster than TSA lanes - they seem faster - moreover they plan improvements that could allow cardholders not to have to take off their shoes or remover their laptops.

View - site