Yurts’ Post

Yurts has secured $40M in Series B funding, a significant milestone in their efforts to revolutionize mission-critical systems with secure and scalable #GenAI solutions. Yurts is setting a standard for how AI should evolve to meet the unique needs of government, defense, and global enterprises with precision and responsibility. 💡 Congratulations to the Yurts team and XYZ Venture Capital, Glynn Capital, Nava Ventures, Mango Capital, and Bloomberg Beta for supporting innovation where it truly matters. 🙌

We just led Yurts' $40M Series B, and excited just isn't the right word. Thrilled doesn't do it either. We're honestly ecstatic that we get to work with Ben Van Roo Jason Schnitzer and Guruprasad Raghavan as they deliver the best AI integration platform designed for government, defense, and global enterprises. As one of the largest LLM distributors for customers like the Air Force, Department of Energy, and more, they're unlocking new insights, decision-making capabilities, and automations every day - all taking high security, regulatory sensitivity, precision accuracy into account. We feel lucky to get a front row seat to what they build next, lengthening their lead in this category - and giving our government and most important businesses better tools to do their best work 🙏 You can read more about Yurts and why we're inspired by them on the XYZ blog here: https://lnkd.in/dhYs37aX And watch the video of our Managing Partner Ross Fubini talking with Ben Van Roo about the reality and future of building for these customers here ▶️ https://lnkd.in/dKRrSxnW #defense #govtech #ai #venture #funding #publicsector

👉 $140B of VC from 2021 to today went into defense. We didn't get even $100B of VC From 2011-2020. Funding is accelerating & the defense paradigm is rapidly accelerating. 🚀 The Department of Defense (DoD) has established new orgs to bridge the gap between the military and the private sector to drive more innovation, reducing risk for VCs. Orgs like: 🎖️ Defense Innovation Unit (DIU): Focuses on rapidly identifying, prototyping, and fielding commercial technologies to address critical national security challenges. 🎖️ Office of Strategic Capital (OSC): Aims to attract and scale private capital investments in technologies crucial for national security. 🎖️ National Security Innovation Capital (NSIC): Provides funding to hardware startups developing dual-use technologies with defense applications. 🎖️ AFWERX: The Air Force's innovation arm that fosters connections with startups and facilitates the adoption of emerging technologies. 🎖️ NAVALX: The Navy's innovation hub that acts as a super-connector between private companies, academia, and federal agencies. 🎖️ Army Applications Laboratory: Focuses on bridging the "Valley of Death" by providing funding, testing opportunities, and potential deployment pathways for new technologies. Expect to see the DoD, Pentagon and military drive innovation initiatives with greater urgency. #GovSignals #Defense #Military #GovernmentContracting

USCENTCOM seeks feedback on CHIPS Read more on the link below. #defense #sbir #military #jointwerx @jointwerx @blackhaysgroup #governmentcontracts #smallbusiness #entrepreneurship #venturecapital #consulting #strategy #leanstartups #startup #growthhacking

Barbaricum acquires ODL Services Read more on the link below. #defense #sbir #military #jointwerx @jointwerx @blackhaysgroup #governmentcontracts #smallbusiness #entrepreneurship #venturecapital #consulting #strategy #leanstartups #startup #growthhacking

More than 200 representatives from AFWERX and SpaceWERX visited Pittsburgh to describe their vision for defense projects emanating from a city that has long contributed to the war effort. “Technology is transforming our way of life,” said Col. Elliott Leigh, AFWERX director and chief commercialization officer for the United States Department of the Air Force. “If we don't get behind that wave, and also realize that that is going to transform the way we engage in warfare, we'll be behind.” In 2022, AFWERX launched a Pittsburgh innovation hub as a result of the heightening activities in the surrounding region, which has helped to create a center for technology, innovation, and development for both the United States Air Force and the United States Space Force. Phil Hahn, chief strategy officer for AFWERX, states that last week’s visit helped cement Pittsburgh’s strengths in the minds of Air Force leaders. Pittsburgh startups are increasingly using United States Department of Defense dollars to jump-start their development of technology. AFWERX has awarded more than 50 contracts to 22 Pittsburgh area companies since 2021, totaling more than $36 million. Read more here: https://ow.ly/xlPg50RG9Fb . . . #AFWERX #SpaceWERX #USAF #DAF #USSF #DoD #Pittsburgh #technology #innovation #development

Lower military secrecy thresholds coming this year, Plumb says Read more on the link below. #defense #sbir #military #jointwerx @jointwerx @blackhaysgroup #governmentcontracts #smallbusiness #entrepreneurship #venturecapital #consulting #strategy #leanstartups #startup #growthhacking

🚀 𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗗𝗲𝗳𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗲 𝗜𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗮𝘁𝗵 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱 🚀 As the defense landscape rapidly evolves, the U.S. faces critical challenges in 𝗳𝗶𝗲𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗻𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝗶𝗲𝘀 and 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗱𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝗺𝗮𝗻𝘂𝗳𝗮𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 to maintain its strategic edge. Bureaucratic roadblocks, risk-averse cultures, and outdated procurement processes hinder innovation, while offshoring and underinvestment have weakened our industrial base. At Dcode, I specialize in breaking down barriers and enabling government and startups to overcome these challenges—ensuring tech gets into the hands of those who need it most, faster. Let’s connect at #WEST2025 to discuss how to drive meaningful change together. #AFCEA #USNI #SeaServices #NavalConference #DefenseTechnology #MaritimeSecurity

BAE Systems adds Betty Sapp to board Read more on the link below. #defense #sbir #military #jointwerx @jointwerx @blackhaysgroup #governmentcontracts #smallbusiness #entrepreneurship #venturecapital #consulting #strategy #leanstartups #startup #growthhacking

The Software in Defense Coalition is excited to partner again with the Pacific Northwest Mission Acceleration Center - a DIU On-Ramp Hub and NATO DIANA Accelerator site - to bring this powerhouse panel led by the Honorable Ellen Lord, former Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment, to discuss recent initiatives to draw and sustain private investment to US and NATO national security missions, talent and defense tech companies. Panelists: JR Gibbens, Chief Investment Officer, Office of Strategic Capital Tom Dallas McSorley, General Counsel, NATO Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic (DIANA)  Nick Sinai, Senior Advisor, Insight Partners and Former U.S. Deputy Chief Technology Officer  Paul Kwan, Managing Director, General Catalyst A few days out from the NATO Summit, this timely roundtable with key officials from DoD's Office of Strategic Capital, NATO DIANA, and top venture leaders will highlight how the defense ecosystem can best engage to boost mission outcomes and transition rates for promising technology. Limited spaces so please register. This event is closed press and Chatham House rules. Register below:  https://lnkd.in/d4BGbb_g #sbir #sba #research #deeptech #startups #venturecapital #defenseinnovation #nato