2023 Startups to Watch: Digimation to launch affordable firearm simulator that competes with the big guys

Digimation Inc. makes a portable firearm simulator that can turn just about any room into a shooting range and training center.

The Lake Mary-based company has sold its portable Digimation Arms Trainer, known as DART, since 2018. The company first targeted small police departments, which were interested in DART — priced at roughly $10,000 — over pricier simulators that cost more than $100,000.

After landing more than 350 law enforcements groups as clients, Digimation sold devices to the U.S. Army in 2022 and next year will create a product for large state and federal law enforcement agencies.

Here's more from President David Avgikos on what's next for Digimation, a 2023 Orlando Inno Startup to Watch:

What does your company do? Digimation is a recognized leader in the training and simulation industry. Its flagship product is DART, a highly portable and versatile firearm training simulator that provides judgmental use-of-force, marksmanship and more. DART simulation training is used by the U.S. Army, more than 350 police departments and various commercial organizations across the nation.

What was your company's biggest accomplishment in 2022? After 350 sales into the law enforcement market, the U.S. Army purchased 28 DART firearms simulators which have been deployed to five separate training bases.

What are you working on in 2023? The DART simulator is particularly attractive to smaller police departments (typically less than 100 officers) that appreciate the small size and affordability of the system. However, larger state and federal law enforcement agencies have requested features only found in simulators costing $150,000-$300,000. In 2023, we'll release a new product that directly competes with these higher-tier simulators, but at a much more reasonable price point.

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