Participated · Equity · May 2026

Avant Genomics builds the Avant Source™ platform to automate extraction and preparation of tumor-derived cell-free DNA from blood samples for liquid biopsy workflows. The system reduces manual handling from more than 50 steps to two, improves DNA yield by as much as 70% versus semi-automated tools, and cuts processing time in half. The company holds exclusive IP developed at the University of Virginia and was founded as a UVA spin-out by CEO Rachelle Turiello, PhD, and COO Renna Nouwairi, PhD. Avant has received NSF SBIR Phase I funding and been named a 2025 Startup World Cup Regional Finalist, and its team includes advisors and operators with exits to companies such as Quest Diagnostics, Labcorp, and Eli Lilly. Current plans emphasize completing product development, scaling manufacturing, and expanding the team ahead of commercial launch of the Avant Source™ system.

Participated · Series A · May 2026

Scout Space develops platform-agnostic space domain awareness sensors and software that combine advanced optical payloads, edge processing, and autonomy to detect, track, and characterize objects in orbit. The company’s products and services, first launched in 2021, are designed to enable real-time awareness and responsiveness for commercial and national security missions. Scout emphasizes a scalable, modular architecture that integrates with a range of platforms rather than vertically integrating the full hardware stack. Scout is working with partners including Blue Origin to integrate its Owl sensor on the Blue Ring mission and has received multiple Tactical Funding Increase (TACFI) awards from the U.S. Space Force. The company is venture-backed and has participated in accelerator programs such as Techstars and MassChallenge. Recent plans include expanding manufacturing with a new 2,600-square-foot facility in Northern Virginia and accelerating sensor deployments and software capabilities with proceeds from its Series A.

Participated · Equity · Jan 2026

Segtax is a real-estate accounting startup focused on modernizing the traditionally manual processes of cost segregation studies and related tax workflows. The platform is used by real-estate investors, CPAs, and other partners to improve bookkeeping speed and accuracy, aiming to unlock margin improvements through automation and AI-driven tools. After just over a year in operation, the company reports strong market demand for its product and has begun expanding its team to meet customer growth. Management plans to channel new capital into both product development and additional hiring. Although specific revenue or user figures were not disclosed, the company cites growing adoption among target customers. Leadership has expressed confidence in sustaining momentum through continued technological enhancements and market penetration.

Participated · Series A · Nov 2025

Founded in 2019, Charlottesville-based Poppy Flowers operates a technology-driven marketplace that matches couples with local floral designers whose style, budget, and vision align with their needs. The company has already served more than 6,000 couples nationwide, positioning itself as a fast-growing player in the $71 billion U.S. floral industry. Poppy’s platform streamlines the traditionally fragmented wedding-florist experience by handling design matching, logistics, and fulfillment. With fresh capital, the team plans to accelerate an expansion into business-to-business offerings, roll out new technology features, and hire key leadership roles. Management believes these moves will widen its customer base beyond consumer weddings and deepen engagement with professional florists. Investors cite the company’s clear category leadership and scalable model as reasons for continued support. Financial details beyond the most recent and prior capital raises were not disclosed in the article.

Participated · Series B · Apr 2025

Electra develops hybrid-electric Ultra Short aircraft, with the nine-passenger EL9 integrating blown lift technology and hybrid-electric propulsion. The EL9 can take off and land in 150 feet, carry up to 3,000 pounds of payload, and has a range of up to 1,100 nautical miles with in-flight battery recharging. Electra positions the aircraft for dual commercial and defense use, emphasizing quiet operation, lower operating costs versus helicopters and eVTOLs, and the ability to operate from unimproved surfaces. The company reports over 2,200 pre-orders valued at more than $10 billion and has won 20+ SBIR contracts from the U.S. Air Force, Army, Navy and NASA, including a Strategic Funding Increase contract with the U.S. Air Force. Electra has grown to roughly 80 employees and markets the EL9 as the flagship of a future family of hybrid-electric aircraft aimed at enabling "Direct Aviation." The near-term plan centers on moving the EL9 into pre-production and certification. Electra.aero builds clean, hybrid-electric ultra-short takeoff and landing (eSTOL) aircraft intended to carry passengers and cargo. Led by founder and CEO John S. Langford, the company unveiled the EL-2 Goldfinch two-seat technology demonstrator in June 2023. Its planned production eSTOL is designed to carry nine passengers up to 500 miles as a sustainable alternative to regional driving. The company intends to use new funding to further develop its hybrid-electric eSTOL aircraft and advance flight testing. Electra currently holds over 1,200 aircraft pre-orders from more than 30 global customers, including established operators and new entrants. The company will begin flight testing the two-seat technology demonstrator later this summer. Electra.aero builds hybrid-electric ultra-short takeoff and landing (eSTOL) aircraft using patent-pending distributed electric propulsion and blown lift technology. Its designs aim to operate from spaces as small as 300x100 feet and use a small turbine-powered generator to recharge batteries in flight, reducing the need for ground charging infrastructure. Electra is designing aircraft that can carry up to 1,800 pounds of cargo or 7–9 passengers for up to 500 miles, targeting missions from intracity on-demand flights to medical and cargo transport. The company positions its technology as quieter, more environmentally friendly, and lower cost to operate than many vertical takeoff alternatives, and cites support from NASA and the U.S. Air Force Agility Prime program. Electra plans to begin flight testing a full-scale hybrid eSTOL technology demonstrator later in the year, and the company announced strategic investment from Lockheed Martin Ventures to support that work.