ZEA
Venture capitalChicago Β· 2 people tracked
Investment thesis
ZEA invests in mission-critical, dual-use technologies that bridge defense and commercial markets. It focuses on five emerging sectors: artificial intelligence, robotics, space, manufacturing, and microelectronics. Beyond capital, ZEA provides strategic guidance, regulatory expertise, government contracting support, and access to government and industry networks. Its process spans sourcing mission-driven companies, deep due diligence, strategic capital deployment with board involvement, growth acceleration, and value realization through exits. ZEA targets companies emphasizing security, scalability, and mission-driven growth, aiming to close the gap between defense and commercial innovation while driving both security outcomes and financial returns.
Source: firm website, verified Aug 3, 2026.
Team Β· 2 people
from the firm's website
What they invest in
from 10 of 12 portfolio companiesDeep Tech Γ6Hardware Γ5AI & Machine Learning Γ4Defense Tech Γ4Advanced Manufacturing Γ2Robotics Γ2Space Tech Γ2Cybersecurity Γ1
HQs:United StatesΓ5
Investments Β· 12 tracked
founders shown can be your intro path
Ambit builds a security product described as a VPN with post-quantum and classical cryptography that has undergone formal specification and verification.
CybersecurityEnterprise SoftwareQuantum ComputingKirkland, US
Kevin Kane(Chief Executive Officer & Co-Founder)Andrew McElroy(Chief Technology Officer & Co-Founder)Josh Kiluk(Chief Operating Officer)Derek Hetzler(Chief Commercial Officer)Cris Salas(EVP, Sales)
Co-investorsTechstars
Artificial intelligence, defense technology, and digital engineering.
Falcon Attack and Defense Autonomy β brings hardware systems to life using embodied machine learning; AI, defense technology, and autonomous systems.
Falcomm is a fabless semiconductor company that designs RF power amplifiers, including its Dual-Drive power amplifier technology, aimed at higher output power, wider bandwidth, and lower heat for mmWave applications.
Deep TechHardwareSemiconductorsAtlanta, US
Edgar Garay(Founder & CEO)Isabella Tobon(Director)Justin Hovey(Executive Officer)
BoardDom Ventimiglia(Director)Dan Madden(Director)in
Co-investorsBanyan VenturesCambium CapitalDraper CygnusInvariantes FundSQUADRA VENTURES
F-ADA develops software for unmanned systems that enables rapid retraining and target identification with minimal compute requirements and no internet connectivity.
AI & Machine LearningDefense Tech
Hybron manufactures composites using proprietary technology, positioning itself as a U.S.-based alternative to overseas production.
Advanced ManufacturingNew Materials
Brennan Lieu(Founder)inAaron Guo(Cofounder)
Co-investorsFirst InLorimer VenturesVeteran Ventures Capital
Magma Space builds a precision operations platform for space missions, serving spacecraft operators and commercial space ventures.
AI & Machine LearningDeep TechHardwareSpace TechWashington, US
Alessandro Stabile(Founder)in
Co-investorsE2MC VenturesTechstars
VectorWave builds technology for dynamic spectrum coexistence, using inference on raw radio signals to provide real-time awareness and prioritization across frequencies.
AI & Machine LearningDeep TechHardware
Ben Taylor(Co-founder & CEO)Ronald(Founder & CTO)Charles(Co-founder)
Co-investorsCoalitionJ2 Ventures
Portfolio news
latest coverage across their companiesFrequently asked questions
- How many investments has ZEA made?
- ZEA has 12 tracked investments.
- What sectors does ZEA focus on?
- ZEA focuses on Advanced Manufacturing, AI & Machine Learning, Deep Tech, Defense Tech, Robotics, Semiconductors, Space Tech.
- Where is ZEA located?
- ZEA is headquartered in Chicago, US.
- Who does ZEA co-invest with?
- ZEA most often shares deals with Banyan Ventures, Coalition, E2MC Ventures, among 9 tracked co-investors.
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