Eric Trump-backed Space-Eyes to go public via $638M SPAC merger

Space-Eyes, a defense technology startup supported by Eric Trump, has announced plans to go public via a merger with McKinley Acquisition Corp. The combined entity is projected to be valued at approximately $638 million. Eric Trump, now the third-largest private investor in Space-Eyes, will assume a strategic advisory role following the merger, leveraging his security expertise acquired from serving at the White House.

Space-Eyes, headquartered in Miami, specializes in AI-driven solutions for countering drone warfare and geospatial intelligence, targeting government and military clients. The company's CEO, Jatin Bains, and COO, Dylan Monroe, describe their software as a platform that leverages data from satellites, radio-frequency sensors, and radar to detect, track, and respond to drone threats in real-time.

Their flagship products include SeaWatch, a maritime intelligence platform, and Morpheus, an AI-powered counter-drone system. Space-Eyes is currently exploring multi-country government contracts and corporate partnerships, with ongoing negotiations valued at around $35 million over five years. Eric Trump's role as a strategic adviser aims to connect the company with potential board candidates and valuable insights into emerging drone threats.

The merger is projected to generate around $251.7 million in gross proceeds and is set to close in Q4 2026, with the combined company listing on the Nasdaq under the ticker symbol "CUAS."