United States Air Force
Overview
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and part of the Department of Defense. While its primary role is national defense, it also acts as a significant source of funding for technology and innovation through its innovation arm, AFWERX. AFWERX manages the Department of the Air Force's Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs, connecting businesses and startups with government funding to accelerate the development of dual-use technologies.
Investments
| Company | Date | Stage | Lead |
|---|---|---|---|
| VRTRIX, Inc. | Jun 2026 | Grant | Co-investor |
| Icarus Quantum Inc. | May 2026 | Grant | Co-investor |
| Gambit Defense | Apr 2026 | Grant | Co-investor |
| PlanetiQ | Apr 2026 | Strategic | Co-investor |
| Beehive Industries | Apr 2026 | Grant | Lead |
Key People
Tadd Sholtis
Principal Deputy Director Of Public Affairs
Shannon McGuire
Principal Deputy General Counsel
Wanda Jones-Heath
Department Of The Air Force Principal Cyber Advisor
Zach Morley
Principal Program Manager
Emily Miller
Sub-Portfolio Manager
Nikolaus Rouse
Information Technology Portfolio Manager
Veronica Medina
Information Technology Portfolio Manager
Sector & Stage Mix
Industry, funding stage, and valuation band breakdowns.
