VC Firm Raises $45M Defense Fund from Palantir, SpaceX Alumni
Forward Deployed Venture Capital, a three-year-old firm specializing in defense and security investments, has successfully closed its latest fund, raising $45 million. A significant portion of this capital, remarkably, comes from a network of 150 current and former employees of prominent Silicon Valley technology companies, including Palantir Technologies Inc., Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (SpaceX), and Anduril Industries Inc.
This unique fundraising strategy taps into a pool of newly wealthy individuals deeply familiar with the defense and national security technology landscape, often having directly contributed to its advancements within their respective companies. The firm itself describes these as “like-minded” tech companies, suggesting an alignment in vision and expertise among the investors. Palantir, known for its data analytics platforms; SpaceX, a leader in aerospace manufacturing and space transportation; and Anduril Industries, specializing in advanced defense systems, represent a new generation of tech companies contributing significantly to national security capabilities. Their former and current employees bring not only capital but also deep domain expertise and a shared vision for technological advancement in defense.
Mark Scianna, the general partner who founded Forward Deployed Venture Capital, spearheaded this effort. A former staffer at Palantir Technologies, Scianna leveraged his extensive network and understanding of the sector to secure commitments primarily from these individual investors and former colleagues. While individual contributions formed a cornerstone of the fund, Forward Deployed also attracted institutional backing, notably from Bain Capital Ventures, further validating its investment thesis. The $45 million fund is specifically earmarked for investments in the burgeoning defense and security sectors, reflecting a growing interest among venture capitalists and tech industry veterans in technologies that support national security initiatives.