Harpoon Ventures

At Harpoon Ventures, we’re all about fueling America’s tech leadership into the future. 👇 Think of us as the go-to VC for the bold and the brave—those creating the tools and tech that’ll keep the U.S. on top. From AI and deep tech to software infrastructure and cybersecurity, we’re here to back game-changers. So far, we’ve pushed our startups to snag over $500M in contracted revenue and pull in another $1B in follow-on financing, popping out a few unicorns along the way. Ready to build something legendary? Let’s talk. ⇀

How do we fight tomorrow's wars with yesterday's playbook? It's time to rewrite military doctrine for the modern era of tech-enabled warfare. 👇 The Global War on Terror and the insurgency in Iraq and Afghanistan taught us valuable lessons on the need of refreshing doctrine. It took a bold leader like General David H. Petraeus, US Army (Ret.) to masterfully craft the COIN doctrine and its accompanying field manual. Now, we need to do the same for tech-enabled warfare. This isn't just about drones and electronic warfare. It's about harnessing OSINT for next-gen intelligence, applying computer vision to tradecraft, and creating fully integrated, full-stack, combined arms drone and EW warfare. Our adversaries are evolving, and so must we. We need a full rewrite, a complete overhaul of our military doctrine, and our entire doctrine writing process so that it's refreshed at a speed of relevance. Who's working on this? I'd love to meet them, and I'd love to see if we can help. 

We are beyond excited to have several Harpoon Ventures portfolio companies featured on the NATSEC 100. 👇 The NATSEC 100, compiled annually by the Silicon Valley Defense Group (SVDG), spotlights the hottest defense and national security startups with venture capital backing. Think of it like the "It List" for tech that could seriously impact how the U.S. handles security. For Harpoon, we couldn't be more thrilled that the following portfolio companies made the list 👇 Astranis Space Technologies builds cost-efficient, flexible microsatellites in geostationary orbit that enable low-cost, dedicated broadband for connectivity anywhere in the world. Kodiak is disrupting the freight industry, providing autonomous capabilities built for trucks operating on highways. Firestorm is building the future of modular, open-architecture unmanned aerial systems, supporting the warfighter’s needs. Ursa Major develops advanced propulsion systems across space, hypersonics, and national security domains. Netskope is a global cybersecurity leader helping organizations apply Zero Trust principles to protect data. Special shoutout to the other teams that are doing great work and are featured in the NATSEC 100. We're all in this together, and gosh we've got work to do! ⇀ https://natsec100.org/

Shoutout to Kodiak and Ursa Major, two Harpoon Ventures portfolio companies, for being featured in The Wall Street Journal's latest article on the challenges of startups winning government contracts. It's always an uphill battle navigating the DoD's procurement system, but we're excited at the traction these two great teams are getting in the space! https://lnkd.in/g-2WqhKu ⇀

At Harpoon Ventures, we invested in Sema4.ai because it revolutionizes decision-making by enabling seamless human-AI collaboration. 👇 Knowledge workers face complex decisions that demand both speed and accuracy. Sema4.ai enhances these processes by providing data-driven insights while preserving the human element, resulting in more effective outcomes. The platform's intuitive design ensures easy integration into existing workflows, facilitating rapid adoption and scaling. This not only drives significant cost savings and operational efficiencies but also provides a competitive edge through better, faster decisions. Our investment is based on Sema4.ai's potential to deliver substantial business value by transforming how organizations make decisions, ultimately driving economic growth and innovation. We are excited to support Sema4.ai's mission to enhance human-AI collaboration and unlock new possibilities across industries.

Welcome to the Special Operations Renaissance. 👇 In the face of rising global tensions and strategic competition with major powers like China and Russia, U.S. Special Operations Forces (SOF) are entering the spotlight like never before. The demand for these elite units has skyrocketed, with mission numbers expected to triple over the next decade. Artificial intelligence (AI) and autonomous systems are revolutionizing how SOF operates. The threat environment has changed, and the technological opportunities are more abundant than ever. These technological advancements allow for the management of vast data volumes and enhance operational effectiveness in today's complex, fast-paced targeing environments. AI is sorting through intel at lightning speed and autonomous drones are conducting swarm reconnaissance missions with pinpoint accuracy—this is the new reality for SOF. SOF's importance is magnified as the U.S. navigates threats from adversaries like China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea. These nations are using cyber intrusions and proxy conflicts to disrupt the international order and challenge U.S. alliances. Special operators are at the forefront of countering these moves, leveraging their unique skills and advanced tech to stay ahead. U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) leadership describes this era as a "special ops renaissance." SOF units are evolving to tackle new types of warfare, remaining a strategic advantage for the U.S. military. While the focus has shifted towards strategic competition, traditional SOF missions like counterterrorism still hold significant importance, especially in regions like Central and West Africa. Recent geopolitical shifts, such as the eviction of U.S. troops from bases in Niger and Chad, present new challenges, but SOF's adaptability ensures they remain effective. The evolving and expanding role of SOF, driven by technological innovation and the necessity to address diverse global threats, marks a new chapter in its storied history. One thing is clear: U.S. Special Operations Forces are more essential than ever, standing as the spear's tip in defending national interests and maintaining global stability. At Harpoon Ventures, we're proud to back our nation with a stack of deep-tech portfolio companies poised to impact safeguarding our nation, bolstering our national and ally force's capabilities, and ensuring we have the technology needed to flourish in this next decade. This next chapter in our history will require adaptation, innovation, and relentless dedication to keep us ahead in an ever-changing battlefield. We've got work to do. ⇀

San Diego isn't just beaches and burritos anymore. 👇 It's quietly become a drone mecca, fueled by a potent mix of OG aerospace giants and fresh-faced startups. This boom isn't some fluke. San Diego has a long and storied history in aerospace, and that DNA is coursing through its drone scene. Big names like GA-ASI (think Predator drones) are taking their expertise global, while Northrop Grumman is developing next-gen, high-altitude surveillance beasts like the Global Hawk, replacing U-2 spy planes. But it's not all about the big guys. Teams like Firestorm and Shield AI are working hard and growing fast amongst the San Diego skyline to ensure our nation's uncrewed technology is the best in the world. A thriving ecosystem of smaller firms and parts manufacturers keeps the innovation engine humming, supporting over 16,000 high-paying aerospace jobs. Tech titan Qualcomm is even getting in on the action, using its wireless know-how to make commercial drone operations smoother than ever. And to top it all off, the U.S. Navy's deployment of a brand new squadron of unmanned surface vessels in San Diego shows that the city's dominance isn't just about flying machines. They're taking control of the whole unmanned systems game across different domains. San Diego's drone scene is more than just a business boom – it's pushing the boundaries of what's possible. Buckle up, because the future of unmanned tech is taking flight in America's Finest City and we at Harpoon Ventures are excited to be along for the ride. 👉 https://lnkd.in/g9PaU3vM ⇀

Oso is revolutionizing the way authorization is handled in software development with its "Authorization as a Service" platform. 👇 Their technology, built on Rust, supports various access control models like RBAC, ReBAC, and ABAC, offering a versatile and secure solution for managing access in complex, distributed environments. Oso’s seamless integration with existing databases reduces architectural complexity, making it easier for developers to implement robust security measures without significant changes to their infrastructure. At Harpoon Ventures, we were particularly impressed by Oso’s ability to simplify the development process while enhancing security. Their centralized authorization logic helps developers focus on building features, reducing the potential for security vulnerabilities. The positive feedback from Oso’s users, who praise its efficiency and scalability, reinforced our belief in their potential. Our investment in Oso is driven by their practical approach to solving a critical issue in modern software development. We see immense value in their innovative solutions and are excited to support their mission to reshape the software development landscape. Oso’s commitment to high-performance, secure authorization aligns perfectly with our goal of backing transformative technologies that drive real-world progress. We can't wait to see Oso continue to thrive as data security becomes more critical in the coming years. ⇀

Glyphic Biotechnologies is pioneering a shift in how America approaches medical research with its advanced protein sequencing technologies. 👇 This innovation is crucial for unlocking the potential of proteomics—the study of proteins at a large scale—which plays a key role in understanding human diseases and developing targeted treatments. As these technologies become more accessible and cost-effective, they facilitate the rapid progression of personalized medicine. This enhances the effectiveness of treatments and reduces the time and expense involved in medical research. This shift has the potential to position America as a leader in health innovation, setting new standards for medical research globally. These advancements have the potential to revolutionize patient care, making it more personalized and effective, thereby improving health outcomes across the board. At Harpoon Ventures, we're proud and excited to back the team at Glyphic Biotechnologies in their quest to make America a more strategic healthcare contributor to our planet. ⇀

Curious what the Fast and the Furious team thought about the Ripsaw light-tank? Don't just take our word for it. Take Vin Diesel's. Last week, we told you how Harpoon portfolio company Kodiak Robotics is taking the Textron Ripsaw tank to the next level with autonomy through its groundbreaking DefensePod autonomous driver assistance system. You asked for more information about how the Fast and Furious production team used the Ripsaw light tank to ramp up the cinematic action in F8: The Fate of the Furious. Check out this video to learn more about how Universal Pictures used the Ripsaw tank in the Fast and the Furious franchise. And yes, it was also used in The Grand Tour and GI Joe! But more on those featurettes later. ⇀