The Venture Codex

Participated · Series A · Jun 2026

Picogrid builds hardware-enabled software products that connect sensors, unmanned platforms, and digital systems to enable unified control and data flow across land, sea, air, and space. The company provides an open integration layer and an ecosystem that now spans more than 100 defense systems from vendors such as Skydio, Northrop Grumman, Echodyne, CX2, and Neros. Led by CEO Zane Mountcastle and based in El Segundo, CA, Picogrid positions its solution as infrastructure for mission execution and operator interoperability across vendors. Following the $45M Series A, the company plans to expand its product family, extend integration into new operational domains, and scale deployments with the US military, allied forces, and partner vendors. The article did not disclose revenue, valuation, or other operating metrics beyond the ecosystem breadth.

Participated · Series A · May 2024

Privateer builds technology to improve life on Earth from space, focusing on space safety, fully automated maneuvers, and a ride-sharing platform for space imagery and data. The company operates a Wayfinder data engine that will be integrated with newly acquired data assets. In a Series A raise it secured $56.5 million and simultaneously acquired Orbital Insight. Orbital Insight brings the TerraScope analytics platform and advanced AI modeling used across land, air and sea applications, including illegal fishing and supply-chain visibility. Privateer said TerraScope will integrate with Wayfinder to bring data and intelligence across domains, from sea to space. The company was launched in 2021 and was founded by CEO and Chairman Alex Fielding, Chief Scientist Dr. Moriba Jah, and Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak.

Participated · Series A · Feb 2023

AeroCloud is a cloud-native airport management software platform that provides stakeholders access to consolidated, real-time airport data. Its product supports use cases such as automated gate allocation, optimizing spare gate capacity, and machine-learning forecasts for passenger counts and departure likelihoods. The platform meshes boarding and departure data to predict on-time departures and can automatically reassign gates when delays occur. Customers include Manchester and Eindhoven in Europe and Tampa International and John Wayne in the U.S., collectively processing about 150 million passengers per year on the platform. AeroCloud positions itself against legacy incumbents like Amadeus and SITA by emphasizing cloud-native architecture to reduce data silos and speed operational responses. The company plans to use new funding to accelerate expansion, double headcount to 80 through 2023, grow its customer base from 42 to more than 100 by year-end, and pursue additional opportunities from cargo traffic growth and future drone operations.

Participated · Seed · Aug 2022

Outpost Technologies develops reusable satellites and a two-stage re-entry system combined with an autonomous paraglider to enable precise Earth return and full hardware recovery. The company has developed and flight-tested a novel re-entry method that it says makes single-use satellites obsolete and enables dedicated payload return. Outpost’s first product is designed to let customers fly payloads, iterate, and learn from space at a faster cadence than current options. The team emphasizes sustainability and low-cost reusability as core design principles for the broader aerospace market. Financially, Outpost recently closed a $7.1M Series Seed round that was oversubscribed despite a bearish fundraising environment. Proceeds will be used to advance technology development and build the team with exceptional talent. The company positions its approach as a gamechanger for the $270B satellite industry.

Participated · Seed · Aug 2022

Outpost is developing a reusable satellite service that allows customers to deliver payloads to space and recover them on Earth via a precision landing system. The company is based in Santa Monica. Jason Dunn is CEO and co-founder, and Michael Vergalla is CTO and co-founder. Outpost raised $7.1M in seed funding from Moonshots Capital with participation from Draper Associates, Starlight Ventures, Kittyhawk Ventures, AIR Capital, Starburst Ventures, Shasta Ventures and others. Craig Cummings of Moonshots will join the company's board as part of the funding. The new funds will be used for technology development and to expand the team as Outpost advances its reusable-satellite technology.