Fundraising FoxNew York · Pre-Seed–Series A · 4 people tracked
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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 Sep 27, 2026.
Team · 4 people
from the firm's website
What they invest in
from 31 of 38 portfolio companiesAI & Machine Learning ×15Deep Tech ×12Hardware ×10Defense Tech ×7Space Tech ×7Advanced Manufacturing ×6Enterprise Software ×6Biotech ×5
HQs:United States×21Canada×1Singapore×1
Who they back
founder profiles across 19 portfolio companiesFounding team size:solo founder×82 founders×53 founders×6
Where their founders studiedfrom 18 founders with education data
Boston University ×2The Johns Hopkins University ×2UCLA Anderson School of Management ×2United States Military Academy at West Point ×2
What their founders studiedfrom 17 founders with field-of-study data
Engineering ×12Computer Science ×3Business & Management ×2Mathematics & Statistics ×2
Where their founders worked beforefrom 21 founders with career history
Google ×2Kasisto ×2National University of Singapore ×2US Army ×2
Accelerator rootsportfolio companies that came through a program
3 founders hold a PhD · 3 hold an MBA (of 20 with degree data)
Investments · 38 tracked
founders shown can be your intro pathBy year:2025 · 32024 · 12021 · 12020 · 16 dated
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
Co-investorsAIN VenturesHouston Angel Network
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
Dr. Arvid Bell(Co-Founder; Founder, Negotiation Task Force (NTF))Dr. Ferenc Dalnoki-Veress(Co-Founder)Dr. William C. Potter(Co-Founder & Advisor)
Co-investorsAIN VenturesCollide CapitalCommonweal Ventures
Arcee AI develops open-weight foundation models optimized for efficiency and portability across edge, on-premises, and cloud deployments.
AI & Machine LearningCloud ComputingDeep TechDeveloper ToolsUnited States, US
Mark McQuade(Founder)inBrian Benedict(Founder)Jacob Solawetz(Founder)
Co-investorsAIN VenturesCentre Street PartnersCompanion M Gmb HEmergence Capital PartnersFlybridge Capital PartnersHitachi Ventures+9 more
Montegrappa is a platform that helps businesses manage operational complexity through unified tools designed to deliver clarity, alignment, and control at every growth stage.
AI & Machine LearningEnterprise SoftwareLogistics & Supply ChainSaaS
Co-investorsAIN VenturesAlumni VenturesCrosscourt VenturesPitchdrive
Wireless urologic sensing system for lower urinary tract symptoms such as incontinence, prostate issues, and neurogenic bladder.
BiotechIrvine, US
Derek Herrera(Executive Officer, Director)inKevin Herschberger(Executive Officer)
BoardSherman Williams(Director)inKurt Azarbarzin(Director)Michael Frazzette(Director)
Co-investorsAIN Ventures
Cerbrec provides an orchestration platform that integrates sensor data and IoT signals across physical infrastructure operations and deploys AI agents to optimize performance in real time.
AI & Machine LearningCloud ComputingData & InfrastructureDeveloper ToolsEnterprise SoftwareIoTHoboken, US
David R. Winer(Founder)inGarrett Wang(Founder)in
Co-investorsA-Level CapitalAIN VenturesBDev VenturesGurtin VenturesInner Loop CapitalTechstars+1 more
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(President & Co-Founder)inJie Sun(CEO & Co-Founder)inProf. Nicholas Gascoigne(Scientific Advisor & Co-Founder)
Co-investorsDraper University VenturesAIN VenturesWavemaker Partners
ML-powered climate forecasting platform for enterprise supply chains.
Co-investorsNational Grid PartnersNeotribe VenturesThirdstream PartnersEndeavor8
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
Himanshu Gupta(Founder)in
Co-investorsAIN VenturesBlackhorn VenturesClimacticDYDX CapitalNeotribe VenturesNo Talking Capital+3 more
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
Co-investorsAIN VenturesCollaborative FundMassVenturesNextFab VenturesRaven CapitalBoston Impact Initiative (BII)
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
Co-investorsAggie Angel NetworkAIN VenturesHouston Angel NetworkScout VenturesScout VenturesMichigan Capital Network
Icarus designs and manufactures solar-powered autonomous aircraft that fly for months at the edge of space.
Advanced ManufacturingDeep TechDefense TechHardwareSpace TechLos Angeles, US
Henry Kwan(Founder)inCameron HargisinZach 'Jerry' WilliamsinHenry K.(CEO)
Co-investorsAIN VenturesEntrepreneurs Roundtable Accelerator (ERA)HAWKTAILPioneerPredictive VCSpot VC+24 more
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
Co-investorsSpark CapitalY CombinatorAIN VenturesDas & Co.Dorm RoomGrit Ventures+24 more
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 TechHardwareIoTMobility & TransportationRoboticsSpace TechDenver, US
Co-investorsAIN VenturesAurelia FoundryBackswing VenturesRange VCTechstars
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 TechIoTSemiconductorsAlbany, US
Shane McMahon(Executive Officer)inGraeme Housser(Executive Officer)in
Co-investorsAIN VenturesHemisphere Ventures LLCTechstarsLockheed Martin VenturesUltratech Capital Partners
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(CEO)inXavier Chi(Founder)
Co-investorsAIN VenturesBetaworksFoundersX VenturesFuel Venture CapitalImagination CapitalMozilla Ventures+22 more
MLtwist provides a unified platform for preparing unstructured data for AI, handling ingestion, transformation, labeling, validation, and versioning across multiple data types.
AI & Machine LearningData & InfrastructureEnterprise Software
Co-investorsAIN VenturesInner Loop CapitalStage 2 CapitalHike Ventures
BiotechNational Harbor, US
Dave Krasne(Executive Officer)Eric C. Broyles(Executive Officer, Director)Jacques P. Walker(Executive Officer, Director)
Co-investorsAIN VenturesLifeforce Capital
Nionyx develops gene therapies, focusing on the design of viral capsids, expression cassettes, and delivery systems for precision and safety.
BiotechDeep TechHealthtech
Co-investors2048 VenturesAIN VenturesPathway Bioventures
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)inPaul Ziade(Founder)
Co-investorsAIN VenturesFeld VenturesNorthside VenturesOne 9 InvestmentsSilent CapitalUCeed Funds+2 more
NOVI Space provides a platform called GENIEedge that enables organizations to develop, deploy, and operate AI/ML and analytics applications directly on satellites, processing Earth observation and sensor data at the source in orbit.
AI & Machine LearningData & InfrastructureDefense TechSpace Tech
Dr. Amit Mehra(CTO and Co-Founder)Scott Steffan(CRO and Co-Founder)inDr. Constantine Papageorgiou(Head of Applied AI and Co-Founder)Dr. Michael Bartholomeusz(CEO and Board Member)
Co-investorsAIN VenturesFelicis VenturesMonk's Hill VenturesOPAMP CAPITAL
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)inJeremy Schiel(Executive Officer, Director)inPeter Shaper(CEO)inChingti Yang(Executive Officer)
Co-investors2045 VenturesAIN VenturesAsymmetry VenturesAurum Venture PartnersCapital FactoryEvolution VC Partners+20 more
Phalanx provides a security layer for teams to share data, protecting sensitive files through encryption and secure workflows at points of creation, sharing, access, and movement.
AI & Machine LearningCybersecurityEnterprise SoftwareSaaSArlington, US
Ian Garrett(Founder)in
Co-investorsAIN VenturesLighthouse Network Ventures LlcTechstars
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)
Co-investorsAIN VenturesCrosscut VenturesIndustrious VenturesMoonshots CapitalSilent CapitalThe Veteran Fund+1 more
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Proton Intel develops medical devices for clinical use, drawing on biosensing and minimally invasive microdevice technology, with a focus on point-of-care diagnostics and continuous monitoring (CKM).
Digital HealthHardwareMedical Devices
Co-investorsBeresford VenturesDraper AssociatesIKJ CapitalSOSVAIN Ventures
Resonant Link Medical develops wireless power and data transfer technology for implantable medical devices, enabling smaller, rechargeable, or battery-free implants.
HardwareHealthtechMedical DevicesSouth Burlington, US
Omari Bouknight(Executive Officer, Director)in
BoardJeffrey Chu(Director)
Co-investorsAIN VenturesFeatures Capital HoldingsFreshTracks CapitalKaleida CapitalScout VenturesScout Ventures+1 more
Rownd AI manufactures fully autonomous drones equipped with edge-based intelligence and satellite/cellular redundancy to remove operator dependency, currently deployed with U.S.
Advanced ManufacturingAI & Machine LearningRoboticsRaleigh, US
Robert Thelen(Founder)inMatt Hamann(Founder)Rachel Orrino(Founder)inRachel Radulovich(Head of Design)Bobby Radford(Software Engineer)Racheal Lenig(Software Engineer)
Co-investorsUncorrelated VenturesY CombinatorAlumni VenturesAsymmetry VenturesBetaworks Ventures Management, LlcEight Capital+12 more
Solideon is a manufacturing platform specializing in bespoke aerospace vehicle production, including custom-designed aircraft and components.
Advanced ManufacturingAI & Machine LearningCleantechHardwareRoboticsSpace TechDenver, US
Oluseun Taiwo(Founder & CEO)inJoel Ilfill(CTO)
Co-investorsCentre Street PartnersDellin InvestmentsMD One VenturesTechstarsVibe Capital10x Founders+6 more
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
Co-investorsAIN Ventures
The Climate Corporation offers FieldView, a digital agriculture platform that connects with 60+ partners to make farm data sharing and season planning easier for growers.
AgTechData & InfrastructureSaaS
David Friedberg(Founder)Siraj Khaliq(Founder)
Co-investorsAnthemis VentureDYDX CapitalFelicis VenturesFirst Round CapitalGlynn Capital ManagementGV (Google Ventures)+8 more
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
Alec Sorensen(Co-founder & CEO)inKapil(Co-founder)in
Co-investors500 GlobalAbstract VenturesAIN VenturesEniac VenturesScrum VenturesHike Ventures
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 activating the immune system.
AI & Machine LearningBiotechDeep TechHealthtechMedical Devices
Co-investorsAIN VenturesCalculus Capital Ltd.IQ CapitalLongeVCOld College Capital4BIO Capital
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Other
Tracked investments with no reachable website or further public details — typically companies that wound down, renamed, or were absorbed.
AdaptyxAdditivespacetechLuxMantle TherapeuticsPerceptive SpaceSupplyfactorybrands
Portfolio news
latest coverage across their companies
Arcee AI · arcee.ai · Sep 16, 2026
ChemT Biotechnology · finsmes.com · Jun 22, 2026
Tradespace · prnewswire.com · Jan 26, 2026
Mbodi AI · ycombinator.com · May 22, 2025
Frequently asked questions
- How many investments has ACADEMY INVESTOR made?
- ACADEMY INVESTOR has 38 tracked investments, 1 of which have exited, including 3 dated in the last 24 months.
- What stage does ACADEMY INVESTOR invest at?
- ACADEMY INVESTOR invests at the Pre-Seed, Seed, Series A stages.
- What sectors does ACADEMY INVESTOR focus on?
- ACADEMY INVESTOR focuses on Advanced Manufacturing, AI & Machine Learning, Biotech, Climate Tech, Consumer, Cybersecurity, Deep Tech, Defense Tech, Developer Tools, Energy, GovTech, Hardware, Healthtech, Medical Devices, Robotics, SaaS, Semiconductors, Space Tech.
- Where is ACADEMY INVESTOR located?
- ACADEMY INVESTOR is headquartered in New York, US.
- Who does ACADEMY INVESTOR co-invest with?
- ACADEMY INVESTOR most often shares deals with AIN Ventures, Techstars, Pioneer, among 135 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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