Georgia Tech Students Founded Sokol Technologies
The student-led defense startup has developed an innovative system to detect drones that evade traditional radar.
Updated on Sept. 23, 2026 in Startups
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Georgia Tech students Tejas Balaji and Maxwell Hadaway have launched Sokol Technologies. Their new defense system utilizes sound and cameras to track drones that are otherwise invisible to standard radar equipment.
Why it matters
The founders created this technology to provide military and security personnel with enhanced detection capabilities against aerial threats. The system aims to protect lives by identifying drones that currently bypass existing radar defenses.
The CREATE-X program has supported more than 700 student-led startups to date. These ventures have collectively achieved a total market valuation exceeding $4.5 billion.
The players
Tejas Balaji
Tejas Balaji is a Georgia Tech student and a co-founder of the defense technology firm Sokol Technologies.
Maxwell Hadaway
Maxwell Hadaway is a Georgia Tech student and a co-founder of the defense technology firm Sokol Technologies.
Georgia Institute of Technology
The Georgia Institute of Technology is a public research university in Atlanta that hosts the CREATE-X startup incubator program.
The details
The Sokol Technologies system integrates sound and camera technology to detect drones that traditional radar systems fail to register. Founders Tejas Balaji and Maxwell Hadaway utilized resources and mentorship provided by Georgia Tech's CREATE-X program to develop the platform.
Timeline
September 23, 2026: Article publication date.
Market Landscape
The establishment of Sokol Technologies follows the pattern set by the Georgia Tech CREATE-X program, which has accelerated hundreds of student ventures. This startup adds to a growing defense-tech sector within the academic incubation ecosystem in Atlanta.
The emergence of this firm may provide local security and defense industry players with new options for drone detection equipment. Residents and businesses in Atlanta may see increased university-backed technological activity in the regional defense sector.
The takeaway
The success of the CREATE-X program highlights how academic mentorship can effectively transition research into commercial defense applications. Students interested in entrepreneurship can benefit from university-led incubator programs that offer structured access to investors and resources.
Further reading
For more on the local innovation ecosystem, visit the Startups section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by CBS News.
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