Space-Eyes, a Miami-based drone technology and geospatial intelligence company, will appoint retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel Jim Reese and former Morgan Stanley investment banker Terry Meguid to its board, according to people familiar with the matter.
The appointments follow Eric Trump’s entry into the company in the second quarter as its third-largest investor and strategic adviser. Reese, a former 25-year U.S. Army veteran who served with the 75th Ranger Regiment and Delta Force, will bring national security and defense expertise to the board. Meguid, who spent 25 years at Morgan Stanley before co-founding Perella Weinberg Partners, will add capital markets and M&A experience.
Space-Eyes, founded in 2001, develops AI-powered geospatial intelligence and counter-drone technologies for government and defense clients. The company is set to go public through a merger with McKinley Acquisition Corp., a blank-check firm, in the fourth quarter. The combined entity is expected to trade on Nasdaq under the ticker CUAS with a pro forma valuation of $638 million, including $176 million in cash from McKinley’s trust account.
The operating business has been assigned an enterprise value of $370 million, though executives noted the valuation reflects anticipated growth in demand for counter-drone systems and military intelligence software rather than current revenue, which stands at about $1 million annually. An additional $80 million in contingent shares may be issued if specified targets are met, and the company plans to raise a $12 million private investment tranche, with Eric Trump’s stake undisclosed.
Harbir Singh, a Wharton School management professor specializing in strategy and acquisitions, and Norm Christensen, an aerospace entrepreneur, are also expected to join the board, reinforcing expertise in innovation and defense manufacturing as Space-Eyes scales operations and expands global sales.
