Defense Tech Startups

Anchor Innovation, Inc. is a service-disabled veteran-owned small business that provides training, maintenance, and operational support—including combatant craft maintenance, seamanship training, and maritime operational assistance—primarily to the US Navy. Founded in 2002, it focuses on marine maintenance and security operations management for defense and military customers.

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Astrotech develops mass spectrometry and molecular analysis instruments derived from space-grade engineering, used for detecting trace explosives, confirming synthetic opioids at borders, and monitoring VOCs in the field. Its products target security, border control, and field-testing applications requiring rugged, reliable detection tools.

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Atmospheric Plasma Solutions builds portable atmospheric-plasma systems (PlasmaBlast and Plionyx) for coating removal, surface cleaning, and surface preparation without solvents or blasting media. Its equipment serves military and commercial customers, including U.S. Navy shipboard and industrial production-line surface-prep applications.

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Augmntr is a systems engineering and software development firm that builds real-time intelligence systems combining edge AI, multi-modal sensing, and spatial computing for use in low-bandwidth, time-critical environments. It serves defense and commercial sectors, connecting sensors to field-ready platforms that support real-time decision-making.

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Avawatz builds AvaAI, an end-to-end AI development platform that automates data labeling, model training, and production monitoring for robotics and computer vision, along with AXIA, an application layer for real-time inference, analytics, and post-hoc analysis. It targets high-stakes environments such as security, medical imaging, and logistics, serving customers including autonomous systems, industrial automation, and government agencies like the US DoD and DHS.

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Babel Street provides AI-driven risk and threat intelligence, using AI agents to ingest multilingual global data and produce verified, contextual insights for investigations, identity matching, and vendor risk. It serves national defense, law enforcement, global enterprises, and fintech organizations.

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Balboa Geo develops patented geolocation and geospatial positioning technology, including its POINTER platform, which delivers real-time 3D centimeter-level positioning, navigation, and timing in GPS-denied environments such as indoor, subterranean, and underwater settings. It serves defense, public safety, space, and industrial markets, with applications including structural health monitoring and integration into autonomous and robotic systems.

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BaseConnect builds a secure, private social network and communication tools (including its ReCaller feature) for military operators, designed to connect troops, communities, and businesses without collecting or monetizing personal data. Its primary customer is the U.S. Department of Defense and related military organizations, with a commercial extension called CityConnect.

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Beartooth builds the MK II Plus, a rugged, waterproof mesh networking radio that turns smartphones into long-range communication devices with GPS, AES-256 encryption, and ATAK integration, operating without towers, satellites, or subscriptions. It targets tactical teams, recon pairs, and backcountry operators needing off-grid communication.

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Bravolta is a technology company developing solutions for the industrial sector, drawing on engineering and scientific expertise.

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Buffalo Armory manufactures American-made steel body armor and shields rated NIJ III+ to protect against high-velocity rifle and active shooter threats. It sells exclusively to public agencies, first-responder organizations, and authorized distributors serving military, law enforcement, fire, and EMS personnel.

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Capital Defense Technologies (CDT) is a venture capital firm that invests in early to mid-stage companies developing frontier technologies for national security and defense, including AI, autonomy, space, sensing, and cyber. It provides capital, market access, and operating support to help portfolio companies scale into U.S. and allied defense markets.

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Coda Octopus Group develops underwater technology, including imaging sonar (with 4D/5D/6D capability) and diving systems such as the DAVD real-time diver information platform, and also operates engineering businesses that supply proprietary sub-assemblies to prime defense contractors for U.S. Department of Defense programs. It serves the underwater/subsea market and the defense industry.

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Consolidated Resource Imaging (CRI) develops custom ground-based, vehicular, and airborne imaging systems, including sensors, stabilization, and processing technologies, along with field services and engineering integration. It serves defense, government, industrial, and commercial clients.

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Continuous Composites builds CF3D, a full-stack composite manufacturing platform combining 6-axis robotics, proprietary snap-curing thermoset resins, continuous fiber steering, and toolpathing software to produce structural composite parts. It targets aerospace and defense applications including UAVs, hypersonics, space reentry systems, and propulsion hardware, primarily for U.S. defense programs.

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CPI Aerostructures manufactures structural assemblies and components for military and commercial aircraft, supplying the U.S. Government and OEMs in the aerospace market. Founded in 1980, it is a publicly traded company listed on the New York Stock Exchange.

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Critical Frequency Design develops photonic communications and sensing systems for defense applications, using microwave photonics and free space optics to operate in contested battlespace environments. It targets military and defense acquisition programs, offering solutions aimed at secure communications and signal processing with lower size, weight, and power.

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Digital Ally builds front- and back-end video systems, including one-piece body-worn cameras and in-car video systems, for law enforcement, commercial fleets, and situational security. Its dashcam offering uses AI for driver-assist feedback such as detecting pedestrians, distracted or drowsy driving, and lane drifting.

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Digital Global Systems (DGS) provides AI-driven RF awareness and spectrum optimization technology that monitors, analyzes, and manages radio spectrum in real time, offering products such as CLEARSITE for spectrum/RAN optimization and CLEARSKY for detecting drones, jammers, and anomalous signals. It serves defense and public safety, telecom and cloud providers, transport hubs, and smart cities, backed by a portfolio of over 700 patents.

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DroneShield builds counter-drone (counter-UxS/UAS) systems that combine sensing, signal processing, and AI to detect, track, and defeat aerial threats. It offers on-the-move, dismounted, fixed-site, and software solutions aimed at defense and security operators.

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EdgeTheory offers an AI-powered narrative intelligence platform built on a source-first architecture, using a Detect-Assess-Shape framework to surface emerging narratives, assess their actors and trajectory, and generate aligned counter-narrative messaging. It serves government, defense, and intelligence teams as well as commercial corporate intelligence and communications functions, addressing disinformation, influence operations, and reputation risk.

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F9 Teams Inc is a company of software engineers building defense capabilities intended to support U.S. military readiness.

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FreeLinc Technologies develops wireless communication accessories using Near Field Magnetic Induction to replace the corded connection between portable radios and speaker microphones. Its products target law enforcement and public safety agencies, including federal agencies such as the FBI and Secret Service.

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Global Innovations, Inc. (GII) designs and integrates smart seismic sensor systems (ISSS), including early warning border and zone security systems for defense and security applications. The technology is also marketed for oil and gas exploration, medical diagnostic equipment, and other industrial uses, with the underlying sensor components developed by sister company Precision Sensors and Instruments, LLC.

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