Participated · Seed · May 2023

Holocron Technologies is a Washington, D.C.–based AI startup that organizes vast quantities of open-source data using machine learning and natural language processing. Its platform tracks information sources, locations, topics, ideas, sentiment, and stylistic and semantic differences between sources to provide a comprehensive view of the science and technology information landscape. The product enables users to monitor global technological developments and generate insights and reports for diverse intelligence needs. Holocron positions its platform to support government 'alphabet' agencies and the military in using non-sensitive intelligence to answer classified, unclassified, and proprietary requirements across many disciplines. The company was founded by Addam Jensen, Glenn Shell, Jared Edwards, and Tristan Yang. With investor support, Holocron plans to push to revolutionize knowledge security and domain awareness in the science and technology space. Financially, Holocron completed a $1.5M pre-seed raise in April 2023.

Participated · Equity · Jan 2023

Orbital Sidekick operates a constellation-based hyperspectral sensing system and an in-house analytics platform called SIGMA to generate intelligence for pipeline and energy-asset monitoring. Its sensors collect more than 500 spectral channels and deliver roughly eight-meter spatial resolution to detect chemical fingerprints such as gas leaks. The company has flown a breadbox-sized hyperspectral demo on the ISS in 2018 and a 30-kg Aurora tech-demo satellite in June 2021, and it generates revenue today through aerial programs. Orbital Sidekick is planning initial commercial satellite launches (two on SpaceX’s Transporter-7, plus additional launches on Transporter-8 and -9) to build a six-satellite GHOSt constellation before winter. It is also developing defense applications and won a $16 million STRATFI contract from the U.S. Air Force, which the article describes as non-diluted capital that accelerated its plans. The founders, Dan Katz and Tushar Prabhakar, started the company in 2016 in San Francisco. Orbital Sidekick builds and deploys hyperspectral sensors on satellites to provide advanced monitoring solutions for the energy sector and other industries. The company has developed pilot programs and external partnerships, notably with Phillips 66 and the iPIPE Partnership (including Energy Transfer and TC Energy). It is transitioning to expanded satellite operations in 2021 with a path toward full commercialization in 2022 and plans to launch its Global Hyperspectral Observation Satellite (GHOSt) constellation on multiple SpaceX Falcon 9 missions beginning in Q1 2022. Orbital Sidekick is applying its analytics platform to pipeline leak prevention and monitoring, regional fire risk detection, global emissions monitoring, clean energy exploration, and mineral detection. The company intends to use the new funding to expand product offerings, form new strategic partnerships, and introduce its monitoring technology to new industries. Orbital Sidekick is based in San Francisco, CA.