Arlington · Pre-Seed–Late Stage · 5 people tracked
Investment thesis
AIN Ventures focuses on pre-seed and seed-stage dual-use deep technology, backing companies whose innovations serve both commercial and national-security purposes. It targets six dual-use sectors: space, civic, healthcare, sustainability, disaster and defense technology. The firm invests heavily in U.S. military veterans and veterans of other uniformed services, remaining industry-agnostic for veteran-led startups but favoring software-focused companies. AIN emphasizes founders with leadership, determination and grit, viewing the founder as the most important factor in its investment decisions. Rooted in the meritocratic culture of the U.S. military, the firm is also committed to backing underestimated minorities across its portfolio.
Source: firm website, verified Aug 16, 2026.
Team · 5 people
from the firm's website & public directories
What they invest in
from 30 of 37 portfolio companiesAI & Machine Learning ×13Deep Tech ×13Hardware ×9Defense Tech ×8Space Tech ×8Biotech ×6Advanced Manufacturing ×5Enterprise Software ×4
HQs:United States×18Canada×1Singapore×1
Investments · 37 tracked
founders shown can be your intro pathBy year:2025 · 32024 · 12020 · 15 dated
Aptamer-based molecular sensor patch for molecular monitoring.
AgileDD offers a human-guided AI platform that ingests unstructured technical documents (PDFs, images, MS Office files, including handwriting via OCR) and extracts, indexes, and searches them using generative AI, machine learning, and RAG.
AI & Machine LearningEnterprise SoftwareSaaS
Anadyr Horizon builds predictive simulation software powered by what it calls Agentic Systems Intelligence (ASI), designed to model human decisions and strategic outcomes before they occur.
AI & Machine LearningDeep TechDefense TechNew York, US
Arvid Bell(Executive Officer, Director)Dr. Arvid Bell(Co-Founder; Founder, Negotiation Task Force (NTF))Dr. Ferenc Dalnoki-Veress(Co-Founder)Dr. William C. Potter(Co-Founder & Advisor)
BoardWilliam Potter(Director)Ferenc Dalnoki-Veress(Director)
Wireless urologic sensing system for lower urinary tract symptoms such as incontinence, prostate issues, and neurogenic bladder.
BiotechIrvine, US
Derek Herrera(Executive Officer, Director)Kevin Herschberger(Executive Officer)
BoardSherman Williams(Director)inKurt Azarbarzin(Director)Michael Frazzette(Director)
ChemT builds CelMo, an AI-driven virtual cell platform that models cell states and predicts responses to process, genetic, and molecular changes to optimize biomanufacturing.
AI & Machine LearningBiotechDeep TechSingapore, SG
Ling Wu(Co-founder & President)inJie Sun(Co-founder & CEO)in
ML-powered climate forecasting platform for enterprise supply chains.
ClimateAi offers ClimateLens, an AI and machine-learning platform that applies patented models to weather and climate data at 1km resolution to produce short- and long-term forecasts and actionable insights.
AgTechAI & Machine LearningClimate TechSan Francisco, US
Florrent develops bio-based supercapacitors with higher energy density than standard supercapacitors, aimed at short-duration power quality and reliability applications such as data center backup power, grid reliability, and renewables firming.
CleantechDeep TechEnergyAmherst, US
Joseph Hastry(Executive Officer, Promoter)Alexander Nichols(Director, Promoter)Jose LaSalle(Executive Officer, Director, Promoter)
BoardChristopher Noble(Director)Priya Yadav(Director)in
FluxWorks develops magnetic gearing technology for motion systems, replacing traditional mechanical gears with contactless magnetic solutions.
Advanced ManufacturingDeep TechHardwareRoboticsTexas, US
Bryton Praslicka(Chief Executive Officer)
BoardBradley Harrison(Director)in
Inversion develops spacecraft and systems to establish Low-Earth Orbit as an on-demand logistics network for rapid global transportation and defense applications.
Advanced ManufacturingDefense TechHardwareLogistics & Supply ChainSpace TechLos Angeles, US
Justin Fiaschetti(Founder)inAustin Briggs(Founder)in
Locus Lock designs software-defined GNSS receivers for accurate positioning in complex environments including deep urban, contested, and dynamic platforms for defense and commercial applications.
Deep TechDefense TechHardwareIoTRoboticsSpace TechDenver, US
Developing a system-on-foil, next-generation circuit board enabling miniaturized and flexible electronics.
Lux Semiconductors develops metal core substrates for defense and aerospace electronics that provide enhanced thermal management and high-speed signal routing for applications including aircraft, space assets, and terrestrial vehicles.
Deep TechDefense TechSemiconductorsAlbany, US
Shane McMahon(Executive Officer)inGraeme Housser(Executive Officer)in
Mbodi develops AI-powered robots that can learn new tasks through natural language instructions and demonstration, eliminating the need for reprogramming when processes change.
Advanced ManufacturingAI & Machine LearningRoboticsNew York City, US
Xavier (Tianhao) Chi(Founder)inSebastian Peralta(Founder)in
BiotechNational Harbor, US
Dave Krasne(Executive Officer)Eric C. Broyles(Executive Officer, Director)Jacques P. Walker(Executive Officer, Director)
Nionyx develops gene therapies, focusing on the design of viral capsids, expression cassettes, and delivery systems for precision and safety.
BiotechDeep TechHealthtech
North Vector Dynamics is a Canadian defence technology company developing precision interception, autonomy, and advanced propulsion systems, including counter-UAS solutions and hypersonics.
Deep TechDefense TechHardwareCalgary, CA
Paul Ziadé(CEO)
NOVI builds on-board computers, Mission-as-a-Service capabilities, and GENIEedge multi-sensor smart satellites that process sensor data directly in orbit and transmit only actionable results to end-users.
AI & Machine LearningDefense TechSpace Tech
NOVI builds space compute and AI infrastructure, including flight-proven On-Board Computers, Mission-as-a-Service capabilities, and GENIEedge multi-sensor smart satellites that process sensor data directly in orbit and transmit only actionable results.
AI & Machine LearningDefense TechSpace Tech
Orbit Fab builds the in-space propellant supply chain, offering commercial spacecraft refueling services and standardized refueling interfaces to enable reusable spacecraft and a sustainable space economy.
HardwareSpace TechSanta Clara, US
Daniel Faber(Co-Founder)Jeremy Schiel(Executive Officer, Director)Peter Shaper(CEO)Chingti Yang(Executive Officer)
Proteus Space designs custom spacecraft buses tailored to individual payload requirements using generative design and flight-proven components, eliminating the compromises of standardized bus solutions.
Deep TechHardwareSpace TechLos Angeles, US
David Kervin(Executive Officer, Director)
BoardAndrew Shapiro-Scharlotta(Director)Craig Cummings(Director)inStephen Smoot(Director)inDouglas Dreyer(Director)
Proton Intelligence develops CKM, a minimally invasive subcutaneous sensor for continuous potassium (K+) monitoring in patients across the cardiorenal care continuum, including heart failure and chronic kidney disease.
Digital HealthHardwareMedical Devices
RL Medical develops wireless power transfer technology for implantable medical devices through its Aurion WPT platform, along with in-house modeling and design software (BioPWR and BioPRD) built for implantable power.
BiotechDeep TechHealthtechMedical DevicesSouth Burlington, US
Omari Bouknight(Executive Officer, Director)
BoardJeffrey Chu(Director)
Supply Factory is a platform that combines M&A, brand strategy, creative services, and digital innovation focused on the sports, entertainment, and culture industries.
Marketing TechMedia & Entertainment
Tradespace offers an AI-powered platform for intellectual property management, helping corporate and institutional IP teams organize their patent portfolios and identify commercialization and market opportunities.
AI & Machine LearningEnterprise SoftwareLegalTechSaaS
Trogenix develops precision gene therapies for cancer using its Odysseus platform and Synthetic Super-Enhancer (SSE) technology, engineered DNA elements activated only in diseased cell states to selectively target and kill tumour cells while triggering an immune response.
BiotechDeep TechHealthtech
Portfolio news
latest coverage across their companiesProteus Space · norfolkdailynews.com · Jul 15, 2026
Orbit Fab · govconwire.com · Jul 13, 2026
Icarus · intelligence360.news · Jul 9, 2026
Mbodi AI · automate.org · Jul 6, 2026
Inversion Space · spaceambition.substack.com · Jun 26, 2026
Arcee AI · venturebeat.com · Apr 17, 2026
Phalanx · prnewswire.com · Mar 17, 2026
Fluxworks · greentownlabs.com · Feb 24, 2026
Frequently asked questions
- How many investments has ACADEMY INVESTOR made?
- ACADEMY INVESTOR has 37 tracked investments, including 4 dated in the last 24 months.
- What stage does ACADEMY INVESTOR invest at?
- ACADEMY INVESTOR invests at the Pre-Seed, Seed, Series A, Series B, Series C, Late Stage stages.
- What sectors does ACADEMY INVESTOR focus on?
- ACADEMY INVESTOR focuses on Advanced Manufacturing, AI & Machine Learning, Climate Tech, Consumer, Deep Tech, Defense Tech, GovTech, Hardware, Healthtech, Robotics, SaaS, Space Tech.
- Where is ACADEMY INVESTOR located?
- ACADEMY INVESTOR is headquartered in Arlington, US.
- Who does ACADEMY INVESTOR co-invest with?
- ACADEMY INVESTOR most often shares deals with AIN Ventures, Techstars, Y Combinator, among 88 tracked co-investors.
Media · Podcasts & interviews
featuring the teamConversation with Emily McMahan & Sherman Williams of The Academy Investor Network
51 Vets · Emily McMahan
Images
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