AI and the New Warfare, Fundings: Artian, mokSa.ai, Coro
3 April 2024 - A Weekly Publication by New North Ventures
We are happy to announce that HawkEye 360 Inc. has unveiled the distinguished new members of its Advisory Board: retired Generals David D. Thompson and H.R. McMaster.
Their inclusion underscores HawkEye 360's unwavering commitment to excellence and its pivotal role in safeguarding national security interests by furnishing timely, critical data to combat illicit activities. Additionally, the return of esteemed members Terry McAuliffe and Joan Dempsey reaffirms the Advisory Board's commitment to strategic guidance, leveraging their remarkable backgrounds in intelligence, security, and governance.
Additionally, Reality Defender has been named one of the Top 10 Finalists for the prestigious RSAC Innovation Sandbox contest, held under the RSAC Innovation umbrella at RSA Conference 2024 in San Francisco on Monday, May 6.
With past winners including industry giants such as Imperva and BigID, this accolade underscores Reality Defender's emergence as a promising young company in the cybersecurity sector. As a finalist, Reality Defender will showcase its innovative technologies to a panel of judges and a live audience, competing for the title of "Most Innovative Startup."
Reality Defender has also been highlighted in a BBC write-up for its advanced software capable of identifying AI-generated content in images, videos, and audio. Trusted by global entities, including governments, media organizations, and financial institutions, Reality Defender's innovative technology is a critical defense against the proliferation of deceptive online content.
We are excited about the progress and amazing accomplishments of our portfolio companies!
Ukraine’s AI-Enabled Drones Are Trying to Disrupt Russia’s Energy Industry. So Far, It’s Working
Ukraine has adopted a sophisticated approach in its conflict with Russia by employing advanced drones, some outfitted with basic artificial intelligence capabilities, to target Russian oil refineries. These strikes represent a strategic effort to disrupt Russia's economic infrastructure, particularly its oil industry, which serves as a significant source of revenue for Moscow's war economy. Despite apprehensions voiced by international actors, notably the United States, regarding the potential economic fallout of these attacks, Ukraine remains steadfast in its tactics.
The precision demonstrated in these strikes underscores Ukraine's evolving technological prowess in drone warfare, showcasing its ability to effectively navigate and strike specific targets within enemy territory. This shift in strategy from conventional military tactics to technologically driven precision strikes reflects Ukraine's determination to leverage every available means to weaken Russia's financial capabilities and undermine its military efforts.
Moreover, the reliance on drones equipped with artificial intelligence raises broader questions about the efficacy of traditional sanctions and the evolving nature of modern warfare. As Ukraine continues to refine its drone capabilities and targets critical infrastructure such as oil refineries, there is a growing concern about the potential for further escalation and destabilization in the region.
DoD Opens Line of Communication to VCs
The Space Force is actively engaging with major investors in commercial space technology, fostering dialogue between the national security and venture capital communities to address orbital threats and the emerging technologies necessary to mitigate them. General Michael Guetlein, the Space Force's vice chief of space operations, emphasized the importance of transparent conversations with both companies and investors to align future demands with investment strategies.
With growing threats from adversaries like Russia and China, collaboration between the commercial sector and the military is deemed crucial in developing effective countermeasures and ensuring space security.
Quick Links:
From how ChatGPT was set free, to why Microsoft is opening the 'Stargate.'
China shuts down small radio station over "security fears" due to the threat of outside influence.
Founded: 2023
Key People: CEO Prashant Reddy Ph.D
Elevator Pitch: An Artificial Intelligence platform designed for enterprise multi-agent workflows.
Funding: The company raised $2 million of seed funding from undisclosed investors on March 29, 2024.
Founded: 2021
Key People: CEO Nikhil Kolli
Elevator Pitch: A surveillance audit platform designed to protect businesses from losses caused by theft and employee mismanagement.
Funding: The company raised $1.5 million of pre-seed funding in the form of SAFE notes in a deal led by Array Ventures on April 1, 2024.
Founded: 2015
Key People: CEO Guy Moskowitz
Elevator Pitch: A security system designed to defend against malware, ransomware, phishing, and bots across devices, and cloud applications.
Funding: The company raised $100 million of Series D venture funding in a deal led by One Peak Partners on March 28, 2024.
Look for a new episode of Securing the Future Podcasts wherever you listen. In our most recent episode, we have Amanda von Goetz, founder of Fermata, sit down with General Partner Jeremy Hitchcock for an engaging conversation about her mission to provide efficient investigation tools for law enforcement and other investigative teams.