DARPA
VC Fund
Arlington, United States
DARPA is a VC fund in Arlington focused on Biotechnology and Software. The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency was created with a national sense of urgency in February 1958 amidst one of the most dramatic moments in the history of the Cold War and the already-accelerating pace of technology.In the months preceding the official authorization for the agency's creation, Department of Defense DirectiveNumber 5105.15, the Soviet Union had launched an Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM), the world's first satellite, Sputnik 1, and the world's second satellite, two months after Sputnik 1, resulted in a spectacular fiery failure. Finally, at the end of January 1958, a stunned United States became the second nation to place an object in orbit when it successfully launched the Explorer 1 satellite.Out of this traumatic experience of technological surprise in the first moments of the Space Age, U.S. leadership created DARPA, initially with the shorter name Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA). In the nearly 60 years since it was established, DARPA has owned the critical mission of keeping the United States out front when it comes to cultivating breakthrough technologies for national security rather than in a position of catching up to strategically important innovations and achievements of others.With no research and development facilities of its own, DARPA has become known as a laboratory and incubator of innovation by providing thought leadership, community-building frameworks, technology challenges, research management, funding, and other cultural and infrastructural support elements that it takes to usher transformative ideas toward consequential new realities.
- Total investments:
- 51
- Last investment:
- Lead investor:
- 63%
Last updated:
For AI agents: llms.txt
Industries DARPA invests in
Stages DARPA invests in
Countries DARPA invests in
Contacts
| Name | Phone | Socials | |
|---|---|---|---|
Investment Focus
Industry
- Biotechnology 13 (25%)
- Software 9 (18%)
- Medical 8 (16%)
- Health Care 8 (16%)
- Artificial Intelligence 7 (14%)
Stage
- Grant 37 (73%)
- Funding Round 5 (10%)
- Seed 2 (4%)
- Series A 2 (4%)
- Series B 1 (2%)
Country
- United States 39 (76%)
- Canada 2 (4%)
- Spain 1 (2%)
- Sweden 1 (2%)
- Switzerland 1 (2%)
Team
| Name | Title | Investments | Links | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Aydin Babakhani
Member of DARPA Microsystems Exploratory Council
|
Member of DARPA Microsystems Exploratory Council | Total investments: 0 | Find email | |
|
Daniel Wattendorf
Program Manager
|
Program Manager | Total investments: 0 | Find email | |
Dwight D. Eisenhower
Founder
|
Founder | Total investments: 0 | Find email | |
Marcus Weller
Senior Commercialization Advisor
|
Senior Commercialization Advisor | Total investments: 0 | Find email | |
Peter Highnam
Deputy Director
|
Deputy Director | Total investments: 0 | Find email | |
| See all 8 team members → | ||||
Investments
| Company | Description | Round | Links |
|---|---|---|---|
InventWood
|
InventWood aims to be the leader in cellulose-based technologies. The company specializes in the production of cellulosic materials. InventWood was established in 2016 by Amy Gong in College Park, Maryland. | Grant / Aug 03, 2026 | |
PsiQuantum
|
PsiQuantum develops quantum computing technologies using photonic qubits and silicon photonics to build fault-tolerant quantum computing systems. The company designs quantum hardware, software, and system architectures that support the development and operation of scalable quantum computers. It manufactures quantum photonic chips throughsemiconductor fabrication processes and develops cryogenic infrastructure and quantum algorithms for large-scale computing applications. PsiQuantum also collaborates with research institutions, government organizations, and industry partners on quantum computing research and technology development. Its work focuses on advancing quantum computing capabilities for scientific, industrial, and computational applications. | $125M / Grant / Jul 22, 2026 | |
|
Acrobat Genomics
|
Acrobat Genomics uses its unique high-throughput CRISPR gene editing precision technology to create a pipeline of new therapies. | Grant / Apr 29, 2026 | |
IvySys Technologies
|
IvySys is a boutique software company specializing in providing automated solutions for critical intelligence analysis and threat awareness. | Grant / Apr 22, 2026 | |
VQ Biomedical
|
VQ Biomedical is developing a revolutionary, minimally invasive catheter that delivers supplemental oxygen directly into the bloodstream in hospitalized patients with respiratory failure. | $2.4M / Grant / Mar 27, 2025 | |
Alta Resource Technologies
|
Alta Resource Technologies is on a mission to reinvent mining by harnessing advanced biochemistry to cost-effectively source the critical raw materials needed to power next-generation technology and bolster economic security. Our groundbreaking technology platform leverages customizable proteins to separate high-purity rare earth elements and otheressential minerals with unprecedented selectivity while dramatically reducing the environmental impact of mining. | $1M / Grant / Jan 07, 2025 | |
Phantom Neuro
|
Phantom Neuro develops innovative muscle-machine interfaces that enhance robotic limb rehabilitation. The company focuses on creating solutions that improve mobility for users by integrating neurotechnology with robotic systems. Through its minimally invasive approach, Phantom Neuro aims to facilitate precise control of robotic limbs, allowing formore natural movement and better user experiences. The company is committed to advancing the field of neurotechnology, providing valuable tools for rehabilitation and improving the quality of life for individuals with mobility challenges. Phantom Neuro also explores various applications of its technologies, contributing to the broader field of assistive robotics. | $300K / Grant / Jan 01, 2025 | |
Umbra
|
We design, build, launch, and operate satellites for high resolution Earth observation, new communications capabilities, and exquisite signal monitoring for low cost distribution via an integrated web platform. | Venture - Series Unknown / Sep 12, 2024 | |
GrammaTech
|
GrammaTech's software-development tools are used worldwide by startups, Fortune 500 companies, educational institutions, and government agencies. Our staff includes eleven PhD-level experts in static analysis. The company was founded by Professor Tim Teitelbaum of Cornell University and Professor Tom Reps of the University of Wisconsin. | $1M / Grant / Mar 11, 2024 | |
EnCharge AI
|
EnCharge AI delivers AI compute solutions that span from edge to cloud, catering to various business needs. The company focuses on providing transformative technology for AI computation, emphasizing efficiency and sustainability. EnCharge AI's offerings enable businesses to utilize advanced AI models without being constrained by power, space,or cost limitations. Their products are designed to support a wide range of applications, facilitating enhanced performance and scalability in AI-driven initiatives. By integrating cutting-edge technology, EnCharge AI aims to streamline the computational demands of modern AI workloads. | $18.6M / Grant / Mar 06, 2024 | |
| See all 51 investments → | |||
Co-Investors
Arizona Tech Investors
2 deals together
Desert Angels
2 deals together
Hemisphere Ventures
2 deals together
MiLA Capital (Make in LA)
2 deals together
NASA
2 deals together
OUP (Osage University Partners)
2 deals together
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FAQ
What does DARPA invest in?
DARPA invests primarily in Biotechnology, Software and Medical startups, most often at Grant and Funding Round stage. Most of the 51 investments tracked by Shizune back companies in United States. The Investment Focus section breaks down every industry, stage and country in the portfolio.
How do I contact DARPA?
Public channels for DARPA include LinkedIn, X (Twitter) and the website linked on this profile. For a verified work email and phone number, create a free Shizune account — contact data is searched across 20+ sources and validated before delivery, so your outreach lands in the right inbox.
Who are the partners at DARPA?
The team at DARPA includes Aydin Babakhani (Member of DARPA Microsystems Exploratory Council), Daniel Wattendorf (Program Manager) and Dwight D. Eisenhower (Founder), among 8 team members tracked by Shizune. The Team section lists each member with their title, investment count and links.
Is Shizune's investor data accurate?
Yes — every stat on this profile is calculated from confirmed public funding rounds monitored across hundreds of sources since 2020. This profile was last refreshed in Aug 2026 and is updated monthly. Spotted something off? Use the “Suggest an edit” link near the top of the page.
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