Participated · Series B · Jan 2026

JetZero, founded in 2020, is an aerospace startup building the Z4, a blended-wing commercial airliner that targets up to 50% better fuel efficiency and lower carbon emissions than today’s tube-and-wing jets. Its full-size Demonstrator prototype is engineered for at least 30% improved aerodynamics and is scheduled for a first flight in 2027. By collaborating with the U.S. Air Force, NASA, and the FAA, the company intends to validate the design and pave the way for commercial entry in the early 2030s. The all-wing architecture is also expected to enhance passenger comfort while reducing operating costs for airlines. Based in Long Beach, California, JetZero positions its technology as a key enabler of aviation’s 2050 net-zero goals. Including government grants, incentives, and commercial commitments, the company has secured more than $1 billion to date, underscoring strong strategic and institutional backing. This substantial capital base is being directed toward advanced manufacturing, flight testing, and supply-chain readiness.

Participated · Series C · Jun 2022

Echodyne produces high-performance compact, solid-state radars based on the company’s patented metamaterials electronically scanned array (ESA) technology. Its commercial radars are positioned for defense, security, machine perception, and autonomy applications, including counter-UAS, border and perimeter security, and autonomous vehicles. The company says it has demonstrated performance leadership in all markets since introducing its first radar in 2017 and serves customers across defense, national and critical infrastructure security, UAS, and autonomous ground vehicle markets worldwide. Echodyne is experiencing significant customer demand and recent selection in multiple programs, and it will use new investment to increase production and distribution and to expand its product lines for defense, security, and autonomous machine applications. The company is privately held and based in Kirkland, Washington, and is backed by investors including Bill Gates, NEA, Madrona Venture Group, Baillie Gifford, and Northrop Grumman. Management emphasizes the company’s goal of becoming the world’s leading radar solutions company while supporting deployments that enhance intelligence and safety of autonomous systems. Echodyne develops compact, software-defined, solid-state electronically scanned array (ESA) radar sensors built on its patented MESA technology. Its products include the EchoGuard™ 3D surveillance radar and airborne radars for commercial UAS detect-and-avoid, with a radar for autonomous vehicles slated for unveiling later this year. The company targets perimeter security, airspace management, airports, borders, critical infrastructure, and autonomous systems such as drones and vehicles. Echodyne is privately held and backed by a group of venture and strategic investors. The recent financing will support commercial production, expanded distribution channels, and continued investment in breakthrough radar sensors. The company is based in Kirkland, Washington. Echodyne develops compact, lightweight radar sensors that generate point clouds and images for machine perception. Its hardware functions like a phased-array radar and is intended to work where LiDAR and cameras struggle, such as in fog, dust, or at long range. The company has focused initially on drones — selling all of its production-unit radars built for drone use for commercial tasks like power-line inspection and farmland surveying — and is still developing systems for cars. Echodyne plans to use new funding to ramp production from hundreds of units per year to thousands and to continue research and development. Much of the funding will also go toward building radar-vision software that uses neural nets and AI to classify and recognize objects in the environment, forming a platform around its hardware. The company has raised a total of $44 million to date. Echodyne develops radar systems that leverage metamaterials technology to control and manipulate electromagnetic radiation. The company plans to use its recent funding to bring these radar products to market. Echodyne raised $15m in the reported financing. It was co‑founded by Eben Frankenberg (CEO) and Tom Driscoll (CTO). The company is the fourth spin‑out from Intellectual Ventures. The metamaterials technology was invented by Intellectual Ventures in collaboration with Duke University and the University of California at San Diego.

Participated · Equity · Sep 2021

Orbit Fab develops in-orbit refueling systems, including its RAFTI docking and refueling interface and a fuel "shuttle" designed to deliver hydrazine to satellites. The company has three demonstration missions planned in the next 18 to 24 months intended to prove its refueling capability and validate operations for government customers. Those demonstrations are expected to unlock a backlog of more than $40 million in contracts for on-orbit refueling services. Orbit Fab is shifting from a technology-development focus to commercialization under new CEO Peter Shaper, who joined after serving on the board; founding CEO Daniel Faber stepped down. The company sees the U.S. military as its largest initial customer and notes demand in the U.K. and Europe trailing the U.S. by roughly 12 to 18 months. Orbit Fab raised more than $25 million in interim funding from Stride Capital to support operations while it seeks a $30 million to $50 million Series B to fund further demos and its first commercial contracts.

Led · Seed · Dec 2020

Deepwave Digital develops integrated hardware/software solutions that use deep learning to improve wireless system performance. Its AIR-T product line offers a software-defined radio for implementing neural networks within wireless radios. The company provides enterprise-level sensor solutions for RF and wireless system companies across telecommunications, spectrum management, defense, and aerospace. Their software-defined technology combines traditional radio processes with AI and deep learning to address challenges such as cognitive radio, signal detection, classification, and localization. Deepwave closed a $3M seed round, adding to $1.2M previously raised. The company is based in Philadelphia, PA.

Led · Series C · Jul 2011

Daylight Solutions develops molecular detection and imaging systems based on quantum cascade laser (QCL) technology for industrial process control, scientific research, medical diagnostics, environmental monitoring, and defense markets. The company offers high-power, multi-wavelength mid-infrared lasers—both broadly tunable and fixed-wavelength sources—and miniature sensors based on mid-infrared spectroscopy. Its JammIR family of QCL-based products provides infrared countermeasures (IRCM) and has undergone multiple flight tests and been verified as effective against a variety of missile threats. Daylight emphasizes a modular, open source, core technology platform that allows flexibility and reduced cycle time from design to deployment. The business reports several hundred commercial laser systems manufactured and delivered across markets and operates a wholly owned subsidiary, Daylight Defense, for military systems. Following a $15M Series C, the company plans to mature and advance its technology, expand its product offering, and significantly enhance manufacturing capacity, quality, reliability, and field support.