Defense Tech Base8VC
Technology venture capital across defense and other sectors
San Francisco, California, United States
Markets served
Defense Tech Base
Investors
Research investors for your next round. Compare investment focus and portfolio companies across defense, dual-use, aerospace, autonomy, cyber and space.
Browse by investment stage
AE Industrial Partners
Investing in aerospace, defense and government services
Boca Raton, Florida, United States
Investment stage
- Growth
Markets served
Aerospace & Defense Impact Ventures (ADIV)
Pre-seed, seed and Series A
United States
Investment stage
- Pre-seed
Markets served
AE Ventures (AE Industrial Partners)
Startup investments for next-generation aerospace, defense and security applications
United States
Markets served
AllegisCyber Capital
Cybersecurity venture capital.
Palo Alto, California, United States
Markets served
Alumni Ventures
Strategic technology; AI, defense tech, and advanced manufacturing at the national-security/innovation intersection
United States
Markets served
American Dynamism (Andreessen Horowitz)
National-interest technology investment practice
Menlo Park, California, United States
Markets served
America's Frontier Fund
Investing in America's technological future
Arlington, Virginia, United States
Investment stage
- Early stage
Markets served
Backswing Ventures
Early stage; defense and national-security technology
United States
Investment stage
- Early stage
Markets served
BAE Systems Launchpad
Early-stage, potentially transformative defense research and dual-use innovation in AI, autonomy, quantum, and advanced materials; also backs defense-tech startups through venture-capital funds.
United States
Markets served
Ballistic Ventures
Investing in the cybersecurity ecosystem.
San Francisco, California, United States
Markets served
Bessemer Venture Partners
Partnering with builders from startup to scale-up.
Redwood City, California, United States
Markets served
Boeing HorizonX Ventures
Startup investments supporting aerospace innovation, including satellite and space communications technologies
United States
Markets served
Booz Allen Ventures
Early-stage AI, defense tech, deep tech, cybersecurity, and reindustrialization
United States
Markets served
Caladan Capital
Private equity and venture; defense technology, autonomous aircraft, maritime and aerospace
United States
Markets served
Cantos
Physical-technology venture portfolio
San Francisco, California, United States
Markets served
Capital Factory
Early-stage founders (site describes backing ambitious founders; exact stage not otherwise stated)
United States
Markets served
Caterpillar Ventures
Startup investments in autonomy, robotics and machine intelligence
United States
Markets served
Costanoa Ventures
Investing in the infrastructure of the modern economy.
Palo Alto, California, United States
Markets served
Crosslink Capital
Crosslink's official portfolio lists Argo Space and Near Space Labs among its portfolio companies.
United States
Markets served
DataTribe
cyber startup foundry and investor; early stage; cybersecurity startups
United States
Markets served
Dcode Capital
Venture investor; commercially successful, high-growth technology that improves government
United States
Markets served
DCVC
Deep tech for a better future
San Francisco, California, United States
Investment stage
- Early stage
- Multi-stage
- Growth
Markets served
Decisive Point
Investing in the future of national security
Washington, District of Columbia, United States
Markets served
DFJ Growth
Impulse Space's official Series C announcement says the $300 million round included participation from new investor DFJ Growth; Impulse describes its business as in-space mobility.
United States
Markets served
Draper Associates
Early-stage technology; aerospace and space, AI, robotics, and automation
United States
Markets served
Eclipse Ventures
Investment in the physical economy
Palo Alto, California, United States
Markets served
Embedded Ventures
Building the future of national security
Los Angeles, California, United States
Investment stage
- Early stage
Markets served
Enlightenment Capital
Private investment firm; defense, intelligence, aerospace and federal technology businesses
United States
Markets served
Evolution Equity Partners
Investing in the cybersecurity ecosystem.
Palo Alto, California, United States
Investment stage
- Growth
Markets served
Expeditions Fund
Specialist early-stage fund; defense, intelligence, autonomy/AI, edge computing and cybersecurity
United States
Markets served
Explorer 1 Fund
Early stage; new-space economy
United States
Investment stage
- Early stage
Markets served
First In
Stage not explicitly stated on cited page; security technology, defense innovation, and dual-use technology.
United States
Markets served
First Principles Group
Impulse Space's official Series C announcement lists First Principles Group among the participating investors in the $300 million round for in-space mobility.
United States
Markets served
First Round
First Round's official K2 Space company page says: 'We invested in their 2022 pre-seed round.' It describes K2 Space as building massive, high-powered satellites for national security, commercial, and scientific missions.
United States
Markets served
Forgepoint Capital
Cybersecurity investing for a more secure future.
San Mateo, California, United States
Markets served
Founders Fund
We wanted flying cars, instead we got 140 characters
San Francisco, California, United States
Investment stage
- Early stage
- Multi-stage
- Growth
Markets served
General Catalyst
Investing in companies that catalyze change.
Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States
Markets served
Glasswing Ventures
Investing in the intelligent enterprise
Boston, Massachusetts, United States
Investment stage
- Early stage
Markets served
Govtech Fund
Early-stage GovTech; government software, procurement, forms, inspections and public-sector workflow
United States
Markets served
GroundUp Ventures
Early-stage venture capital; includes defense, GovTech, infrastructure and hardware
United States
Markets served
Harpoon Ventures
Investing in the future of national security
San Jose, California, United States
Investment stage
- Early stage
Markets served
Hearst Ventures
Strategic investment in technology companies.
New York, New York, United States
Markets served
Honeywell Ventures
Strategic startup investments in robotics, automation, aerospace and mission-critical industrial technology
United States
Markets served
Industrious Ventures
Early stage; aerospace, defense, marine, autonomy, robotics, and propulsion
United States
Investment stage
- Early stage
Markets served
Inflection
venture capital; idea to early stage; cryptography, physical AI, robotics, aerospace, defense tech and critical infrastructure
United States
Markets served
In-Q-Tel
Strategic technology investment for national security
Arlington, Virginia, United States
Markets served
J2 Ventures
Building the future of national security
Boston, Massachusetts, United States
Investment stage
- Early stage
Markets served
JHH vc
Pre-seed through Series A; early-stage data-driven companies, especially dual-use markets where government and private-sector demand reinforce each other.
United States
Markets served
Khosla Ventures
venture capital; early to growth; robotics, autonomy, deep tech and defense-adjacent systems
United States
Markets served
Lightspeed Venture Partners
Multi-stage venture investor with security portfolio companies
United States
Investment stage
- Multi-stage
Markets served
Linse Capital
Growth venture and strategic investment in mobility, energy and industrial technology
United States
Lockheed Martin Ventures
Corporate strategic investment in deep technology
Bethesda, Maryland, United States
Markets served
Lux Capital
We invest in counter-conventional science and technology
New York, New York, United States
Investment stage
- Early stage
- Multi-stage
- Growth
Markets served
Marlinspike Partners
Stage not specified; aerospace, defense and national-security technology with commercial markets
United States
Markets served
Menlo Ventures
Defense technology, autonomy, uncrewed systems, space and air defense, software, and intelligence
United States
Markets served
Moonshots Capital
Backing founders solving hard problems.
Los Angeles, California, United States
Markets served
MVP Ventures
Portfolio-driven venture investing; stage not specified on cited page
United States
Markets served
New North Ventures
Investing in deep technology and national security.
Boston, Massachusetts, United States
Markets served
NightDragon
Investing in the future of safety, security and privacy.
San Francisco, California, United States
Investment stage
- Growth
Markets served
Noblis Ventures
Early-stage; deep-tech startups and dual-use technologies advancing national interests and federal missions.
United States
Markets served
Northrop Grumman Ventures
Lockheed Martin's official Ventures news reports that Northrop Grumman and Lockheed Martin invested in Orbit Fab, a startup developing in-space satellite refueling technology.
United States
Markets served
ONE Bow River
Defense-focused data and technology investments; stage not specified
United States
Markets served
Overmatch Ventures
Backing the next generation of defense technology
Washington, District of Columbia, United States
Markets served
Paladin Capital Group
Investing in technology for a safer world.
Washington, District of Columbia, United States
Markets served
Playground Global
Official portfolio lists Relativity Space and describes it as building an autonomous rocket factory and launch services for satellites.
United States
Markets served
Point72 Ventures
Defense technology and national security; AI-enabled defense systems
United States
Markets served
Procyon Ridge Capital
family office / venture investor; pre-seed to seed; defense and dual-use technology
United States
Markets served
Promus Ventures
Early stage; deep tech, space, and geospatial
United States
Investment stage
- Early stage
Markets served
Protego Ventures
Early growth-stage defense; sensors, AI/ML, autonomous systems, drones, and UAVs
United States
Markets served
R7 Partners
Investing in national security innovation
Chicago, Illinois, United States
Investment stage
- Early stage
Markets served
Rain Capital
Backing the builders of a secure digital future.
San Francisco, California, United States
Markets served
Razor's Edge Ventures
Investing in the national security ecosystem
Vienna, Virginia, United States
Investment stage
- Growth
Markets served
Riot Ventures
The venture capital firm for the defense industrial base
Los Angeles, California, United States
Investment stage
- Early stage
Markets served
RRE Ventures
Partnering with ambitious technology founders.
New York, New York, United States
Markets served
RTX Ventures
Early-stage companies developing breakthrough aerospace and defense technologies
United States
Markets served
SAIC Ventures
SAIC's official page identifies SAIC Ventures as a strategic investor in commercial dual-use and national-security technology startups relevant to defense and aerospace.
United States
Markets served
Scout Ventures
Backing the next generation of American innovation
New York, New York, United States
Investment stage
- Early stage
Markets served
Serent Capital
growth equity / private equity; GovTech software and services
United States
Markets served
Shield Capital
Investing in the future of national security
Palo Alto, California, United States
Investment stage
- Early stage
Markets served
SineWave Ventures
Investing in the future of national security
Washington, District of Columbia, United States
Investment stage
- Early stage
Markets served
Snowpoint Ventures
venture capital; data, deep tech and frontier tech for national security and societal resilience
United States
Markets served
SpaceFund
Early stage; space infrastructure, intelligence, transportation, components and supply chains
United States
Investment stage
- Early stage
Markets served
Spring Tide Capital
Impulse Space's official Series C announcement lists Spring Tide among the participating investors in the $300 million round for in-space mobility.
United States
Markets served
Squadra Ventures
Investing in cyber and national security.
Baltimore, Maryland, United States
Markets served
Starbridge Venture Capital
Starbridge's official portfolio lists Axiom Space, Umbra Space, Made In Space, SpaceX, Space Forge, Starcloud, Orbital Sidekick and Outpost, with descriptions of their space activities.
United States
Markets served
Starburst Ventures
The global aerospace accelerator and venture capital network
Los Angeles, California, United States
Investment stage
- Early stage
Markets served
Stony Lonesome Group
Investing in national security innovation.
Tampa, Florida, United States
Markets served
Susa Ventures
Backing exceptional founders at the earliest stages.
San Francisco, California, United States
Markets served
SYN Ventures
Investing in cybersecurity and cyber defense.
West Palm Beach, Florida, United States
Markets served
Tamarack Global
Impulse Space's official Series C announcement lists Tamarack Global among the participating investors in the $300 million round for in-space mobility.
United States
Markets served
Ten Eleven Ventures
The cybersecurity investment firm.
Menlo Park, California, United States
Investment stage
- Growth
Markets served
The Veteran Fund
Veteran-founded early-stage venture fund focused on national security, AI, robotics, energy, aerospace, cybersecurity and defense.
United States
Markets served
Third Sphere
venture capital; early stage; public infrastructure, climate resilience and civic technology
United States
Markets served
Toyota Ventures
Early-stage deep tech including AI, autonomy and robotics
United States
Markets served
Trucks Venture Capital
Pre-seed and seed venture; aviation, aerospace, autonomous vehicles and maritime transportation
United States
Markets served
Type One Ventures
Type One's official portfolio labels its vertical as Space and lists U.S. space companies including Orbit Fab (Series A; gas stations in space), Lunar Outpost (Series A), and Space Forge (in-space manufacturing).
United States
Markets served
T|Y|R.vc
Dual-use technology; robotics safety, drone autonomy, UAV cargo and subsea awareness
United States
Markets served
UA Venture Capital
National-security technologies including hypersonics, advanced sensing, and quantum communications
United States
Markets served
Ubiquity Ventures
Ubiquity Ventures official site identifies Rocket Lab in its Space track record and describes it as a small-satellite launch and space-systems company; the site describes its portfolio as spanning pre-revenue startups to unicorns.
United States
Markets served
Unmanned Ventures
Primarily pre-seed and seed; unmanned systems, AI, cybersecurity, autonomy and space; dual-use and defense technologies.
United States
Markets served
Urban Innovation Fund
venture capital; seed/early stage; startups transforming regulated and urban/public-service industries
United States
Valor Equity Partners
Impulse Space's official Series C announcement lists Valor Equity Partners among the returning investors in the $300 million round for in-space mobility.
United States
Markets served
VentureVets
venture capital; prototype and early revenue; dual-use, industrial innovation and manufacturing; military-background founders
United States
Markets served
Veteran Ventures Capital
Dual-use technology critical to U.S. national security; veteran-focused
United States
Markets served
YL Ventures
The cybersecurity venture capital firm
San Francisco, California, United States
Investment stage
- Early stage
Markets served
Finding defense technology investors
How should I shortlist investors?
Compare investment stage, sector focus and disclosed portfolio relationships with your company. Confirm current mandate and check size directly with the firm before approaching it.
Build a defense investor shortlist by fit
Start with the round you are raising, where your company operates, the technical and commercial milestones the money will fund, and the evidence you already have. A fund’s defense portfolio is a reason to investigate fit, not proof that it is currently investing at your stage.
| Investor example | Published focus or evidence | Question to resolve |
|---|---|---|
| Squadra Ventures Directory profile | States an early-stage national-security focus and describes a seed-stage approach. Based in Baltimore with a Washington, DC office; features PDW and Shift5. | Does the current fund fit your stage, round and technical area? |
| Decisive Point Directory profile | Describes investment in defense, energy and infrastructure; features Radiant. Lists a Beacon, New York address. Confirm current stage preference. | What investment and portfolio-support relationship is available for your company? |
| New North Ventures Directory profile | Describes national-security, AI and deep-tech experience; features HawkEye 360. Lists Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Confirm current stage preference. | What evidence of mission fit and commercialization does its team need? |
| Shield Capital Published thesis | Early-stage AI, autonomy, cybersecurity and space; features Apex, HawkEye 360 and Elroy Air. | Which domain, current fund and customer route fit this round? |
| Scout Ventures Published thesis | Frontier technology; states seed-round leads with $2–5 million checks and follow-on reserves through Series B. | How does its founder focus apply to the team, and are these terms current for this round? |
| Lux Capital Dated portfolio discussion | Report discusses defense/industrial investments including Cambridge Aerospace, EnduroSat and Kela. | Which partner, stage and jurisdiction fit the specific technology? |
Confirm investment stage, check size and geographic fit directly with each firm.
Use the same qualification questions for each firm
- Does the current fund invest in our stage and legal/geographic structure?
- Does its portfolio show relevant technical and business-model experience?
- Will it lead, follow, or introduce another potential lead for this round?
- What evidence would it need to make an investment decision?
- Are there portfolio conflicts, ownership expectations or information-rights issues to discuss?
- Which partner would own the relationship and what is the decision process?
Keep a shortlist with source link, date checked, fit reason, open questions, contact route and next action. Download the editable investor-fit brief. Leave unknown check sizes blank. Do not equate a large government award ceiling with company revenue or use it as an investor-return measure.
Prepare the first conversation
Explain the mission problem, product maturity, demonstrated results, customer route and milestones the round will fund. Separate signed revenue from pipeline, prototype funding from repeat orders, and total award ceilings from amounts actually committed. If foreign investment could affect classified work or technology access, discuss the structure with qualified counsel using the FOCI guide and export-control guide.
Your next step
Use the directory below to select a small set of firms and write a specific fit reason for each. Confirm the unresolved investment terms before spending time on a full diligence package.
Free email course
Prepare for defense-tech fundraising
Plan what your next funding round will pay for, prepare investor materials and research suitable investors. Five lessons, with a task and worked example in each.