Eagle Eye CEO Donates, Dines With President Biden
Eagle Eye CEO Dean Drako touted dining with President Biden after donating to the Democrats, IPVM has confirmed, as Biden gears up for his re-election campaign.
This marks a public first for Drako/Eagle Eye, with no previous history of US politics involvement that IPVM could find.
Drako's companies (Eagle Eye and Brivo) took $4 million in federal PPP loans during the pandemic and even got it forgiven after Eagle Eye raised $40m. Eagle Eye is a longtime Hikvision partner and imported tons of Sunell over the last 12 months despite Sunell's CEO declaring "salute to Russia and Putin".
In this note, IPVM examines this development and its possible impacts. Eagle Eye declined to comment.
"Small Dinner Time Gathering" With Biden
Drako spoke with President Biden at an unspecified "small dinner time gathering" about improving US manufacturing, education, and school safety, he posted in April 2023:
The post received over 1,000 engagements which we estimate has received over 100,000 views on LinkedIn, a very high number for this industry.
Drako does receive much higher engagement on his posts than the industry average. For example, back in 2020, Drako's promotion of Sunell fever cameras garnered more than 400 engagements:
Later, Sunell received an FDA warning letter due to its sales of "adulterated and misbranded products." Eagle Eye endangered schools with its FDA-violating fever screening:
Drako falsely argued that his manufacturer instructions "supersedes" the FDA's "proper use" information.
Drako $15,000 Donation in March 2023
In March 2023, Drako donated $15,000 to the Democratic Grassroots Victory Fund, according to Federal Election Commission records:
Established in 2017, the Democratic Grassroots Victory Fund says it is "a joint fundraising committee authorized by the Democratic National Committee and the state Democratic parties". Records show the Fund gives most of its money to the DNC which is a major donor to the Biden presidential campaign, spending $461.5m for the 2020 election.
Donated From Eagle Eye Address
Drako's donation disclosure uses the same address (4611 Bee Caves Rd, TX) as Eagle Eye Networks Texas headquarters. IPVM asked Drako/EEN why, but they did not respond.
Biden Meeting With $1 Million Donors
Biden has been inviting donors for dinners as he prepares for his re-election campaign, which was officially announced on April 25. Invitations for one dinner are going to those who "donated or raised at least $1 million", the New York Times reported.
Likely Higher Than $15,000
This means it's possible (even likely) that Drako has donated substantially more than $15,000. However, so far, IPVM has found no other donations by Drako. Note the rise of 'dark money' makes it possible to make large contributions that bypass FEC records.
Drako/EEN also did not comment on how much Drako nor his companies have donated.
Hikvision Longtime Partner
Eagle Eye is a longtime Hikvision partner, with Drako only stating Eagle Eye was 'winding down' its relationship in 2021, years after Hikvision's human rights and national security sanctions in 2018 and 2019. Hikvision's official website continues to call EEN an "integration partner" for its CameraManager Cloud Connect solution:
IPVM asked Eagle Eye to clarify if it remains a Hikvision partner, but it did not respond.
50 Tons Sunell Importer
Import records show Eagle Eye imported almost 100,000 pounds or 50 tons of products from PRC manufacturer Sunell over the last 12 months, despite Sunell's CEO declaring "salute to Russia and Putin":
Drako touted pulling Eagle Eye out of Russia after its invasion of Ukraine, although this was a negligible market for the firm.
$4m In PPP Loans
Drako's main interaction with the federal government so far took place in 2020 when his companies, Eagle Eye and Brivo, took $4 million in federal PPP loans. $1.4 million for Eagle Eye was forgiven, even after the company raised $40m from VCs.
Drako/EEN No Comment
Eagle Eye's VP of Operation Hans Kahler declined to comment for this article, while Drako did not respond.
Purpose Unclear
Given the lack of response, it is not clear if this is a strategy to boost Eagle Eye in some manner (e.g., by benefiting from Biden's push to increase school security spending) or part of Drako's own personal political positioning. This is the first instance of Drako publicly donating to a political cause that IPVM could find.
Risks Examined
Donating to Biden's party and meeting the man himself could help if Biden wins in 2024, but also exposes Eagle Eye to accusations of political bias and possible setbacks if Biden loses.