The Venture Codex

Participated · Seed · Aug 2026

Light Links develops Wi-OW, an optical wireless technology that transmits data as diffused infrared laser light reflecting off walls and ceilings to deliver cable-grade reliability without radio frequency. The system is designed to provide throughput up to 25 Gbps symmetrical and microsecond-scale round-trip times while keeping signals contained within a room and granting each device a guaranteed transmission slot. The product uses mass-produced fiber-network components, plugs in like a dongle, and interfaces with standard Ethernet. Light Links has validated Wi-OW with a Fortune 50 company, where the technology is already replacing Wi‑Fi in live operations. The company is also developing optical friend-or-foe identification for drone platforms. Light Links was founded in 2024 and is headquartered in Campbell, California, and is backed by multiple defense-tech and dual-use institutional investors.

Participated · Equity · Jul 2026

UNIT AI develops a standardized Physical AI platform that automates item-level inventory management, e-commerce fulfillment, and returns for retailers, brands, and third-party logistics providers. Its modular, pay-per-use system can deploy in as little as 1,000 square feet and the company says customers can achieve ROI in under 12 months. In about 22 months of commercial activity, UNIT is working with customers including Barrett, ShipCalm, DaVinci, and Carter, and reports a growing pipeline of enterprise brands and 3PLs whose networks collectively ship billions of inventory units annually. The company emphasizes rapid, low-infrastructure deployments that do not require facility redesign, targeting regional warehouses, micro-fulfillment centers, and back-of-store operations. UNIT was founded by warehouse automation veterans Guy Glass and Avihou Barkay and announced the financing from its San Francisco headquarters to scale deployments and product innovation across North America.

Participated · Series B · Jun 2026

Dawn Aerospace develops reusable space transportation systems, including the Aurora spaceplane and the Loop in-orbit refueling network. The company plans for the Aurora spaceplane to become the first vehicle to fly twice-daily to the Kármán line in 2027. Its Loop refueling network is targeting an in-orbit demonstration in 2028, and Dawn said it will demonstrate in-orbit refueling of its satellite propulsion systems in 2028. Financially, Dawn recently closed a US$25 million Series B at a $195 million post-money valuation led by Balerion Space Ventures. The company intends to use the Series B proceeds to accelerate global expansion of its reusable space transportation business. No operating metrics or founding year were disclosed in the sourced article.

Participated · Seed · Dec 2025

UForce was incorporated in the United Kingdom in January 2025 by former Ukrainian Prime Minister Oleksiy Honcharuk and People.ai founder Oleg Rogynskyy to aggregate and scale Ukraine’s most battle-tested autonomous systems. The company positions itself as a defense-technology operating platform that contracts directly with governments to deliver complete combat systems under its “Neoprime” model, combining its own products with those of subcontractors. Its portfolio includes the Magura and Mykola-3 unmanned surface vessels, Nemesis strike drones, the R18/R34/R36 bomber drones, Fury ground robots, laser counter-UAS systems, and the Ground Control and SICH command-and-control software suites. Unlike traditional defense contractors that rely on prototypes, UForce offers equipment already proven in active conflict. The firm aims to export these solutions to Ukraine’s allies facing stability threats. UForce has already reached unicorn status, with a valuation exceeding $1 billion following its latest financing. The fresh capital is intended to expand production and accelerate deployment of its autonomous platforms.