AIN Ventures
New York · Seed–Series A · 2 people tracked
Investment thesis
Seed-stage investor in dual-use deep tech (six verticals) with an invite-only U.S. Service Academy alumni syndicate that co-invests, sources, vets deals, offers post-investment support, and runs a veteran-led track.
Team · 2 people
from the firm's website
Emily McMahan, a West Point–trained Army military police veteran, was CFO at Halfaker before entering VC and co‑founding the Academy Investor Network to link service‑academy alumni to early‑stage deals.
Sherman Williams, a veteran-first investor with Naval Intelligence and healthcare-tech M&A experience, leverages the U.S. Service Academy alumni network as a technical-diligence engine to vet frontier and dual-use government technologies.
What they invest in
from 11 of 23 portfolio companiesDeep Tech ×5Hardware ×5Space Tech ×5AI & Machine Learning ×4Defense Tech ×3Advanced Manufacturing ×2Developer Tools ×2Enterprise Software ×2
HQs:United States×9
Investments · 23 tracked
founders shown can be your intro pathNew York, US
Arvid Bell(Executive Officer, Director)William Potter(Director)Ferenc Dalnoki-Veress(Director)
Startup founded by Jose LaSalle.
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
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
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)in
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)Peter Shaper(CEO)
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 Tech
Tradespace offers an AI-powered patent and IP management platform that integrates with tools like Slack, Gmail, and Notion to capture inventions, generate disclosures, and handle filings, along with full-service patent work from senior IP attorneys.
AI & Machine LearningLegalTechSaaS
Frequently asked questions
- What stage does AIN Ventures invest at?
- AIN Ventures invests at the Seed, Series A stages.
- What is AIN Ventures's typical check size?
- AIN Ventures typically writes checks of $500K – $1M.
- What sectors does AIN Ventures focus on?
- AIN Ventures focuses on AI & Machine Learning, Climate Tech, Defense Tech, Healthtech, Space Tech.
- Where is AIN Ventures located?
- AIN Ventures is headquartered in New York, US.
- Does AIN Ventures lead rounds?
- AIN Ventures typically participates in rounds rather than leading them.
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