Securing Tomorrow: MissionLink Success and Defense Tech's New Generation, Fundings: Chef Robotics
02 April 2025 - A Weekly Publication by New North Ventures
Bridging Worlds: Navigating the Defense Innovation Ecosystem
We find ourselves at a pivotal moment in the evolution of national security technology. The traditional barriers between commercial innovation and defense capabilities are dissolving, creating unprecedented opportunities for dual-use technologies that serve both markets.
This shift is evident in both talent flows and capital deployment. A generation of technical talent that once viewed defense work with skepticism is now embracing it as mission-critical. Driven by geopolitical realities and a desire for purpose-driven work, top engineers and entrepreneurs are applying cutting-edge expertise to our most pressing security challenges.
The venture ecosystem has taken notice. Beyond the headline numbers of increased funding, we're seeing a fundamental maturation in how investors approach defense technology. The focus has shifted from simply securing government contracts to building transformative platforms that can scale across public and private sectors.
Yet significant challenges remain. The "valley of death" between prototype and production persists, with government procurement timelines often misaligned with startup runways. Successfully navigating this terrain requires not just technical excellence but strategic patience and deep domain expertise.
At New North Ventures, we've structured our entire investing and portfolio support approach around addressing these specific challenges. We provide more than capital—we offer the connective tissue between innovative founders and decision-makers who can champion their solutions.
The companies that successfully bridge these worlds will define the next generation of defense capabilities. We're honored to support the founders leading this vital transformation.
Three New North Venture Companies Join MissionLink's Elite 2025 Cohort
We're thrilled to announce that CrunchAtlas, Fermata Discovery, and Reality Defender have been selected for MissionLink's prestigious 2025 Cohort, joining an exclusive group of 61 innovative companies addressing critical national security challenges.
Additionally, our General Partner Stephanie Usry Bellistri has been appointed to MissionLink's Advisory Board, joining an elite group of former intelligence community leaders, military flag officers, and industry veterans.
This recognition validates our investment thesis at New North Ventures, where we remain committed to backing visionary entrepreneurs whose dual-use technologies are reshaping the future security landscape.
Congratulations to all selected companies!
Elite Technical Talent Pivots to Defense Tech
A fascinating shift is reshaping Silicon Valley's talent landscape: Stanford students who once pursued careers at Meta and Google are now flocking to defense technology.
A recent San Francisco Standard article reveals how defense contractors like Palantir and Anduril have transformed from "super looked down upon" to highly sought-after employers on campus. Students are founding defense startups and competing for national security internships, with Stanford's first defense tech career fair attracting 300 students last fall.
This cultural shift has been fueled by several factors: Russia's invasion of Ukraine (described by one student as "the 9/11 of our generation"), declining opportunities in consumer tech, and the establishment of Stanford's Gordian Knot Center for defense innovation.
More links to explore:
Chef Robotics
Founded: 2019
Key People: CTO Rajat Bhageria
Elevator Pitch: Developer of an artificial intelligence-enabled robot designed to help food companies overcome the labor shortage and increase production volume.
Funding: The company raised $43.1 million through a combination of debt and venture funding on 31 March 2025.
In our most recent episode of the Securing Our Future Podcast, general partner Jeremy Hitchcock sits down with Paul Thompson, a 20-year Army Special Forces veteran now helping bridge critical technology gaps at Morgan 6 LLC. Together, they dive into how commercial and national security sectors collaborate to drive innovation.
