Organization · Government VC
IQT (In-Q-Tel)
In-Q-Tel (IQT) is a non-profit strategic investor based in Tysons, Virginia, focused on accelerating the transition of innovative technologies from the private sector to U.S. government agencies to enhance national security.
Overview
What IQT (In-Q-Tel) does
What IQT (In-Q-Tel) is
In-Q-Tel (IQT) is a non-profit strategic investor based in Tysons, Virginia, focused on accelerating the transition of innovative technologies from the private sector to U.S. government agencies to enhance national security.
How it participates in the startup ecosystem
The current public profile supports funder capabilities. Each capability below is shown separately so organization identity and role-specific information do not get conflated.
Operational profile
Organization status and context
Organization status describes the entity itself. Funding and program availability appear within the relevant capability profile.
- Operational status
- Active
- Organization type
- Government VC
- Founded
- Founded in 1999
- Approximate age
- About 27 years
- Structured capabilities
- Funder
- Last reviewed
- February 28, 2026
Official channels
Find IQT (In-Q-Tel) elsewhere
Open the official website or a supported primary organization account.
Capability profile
IQT (In-Q-Tel) as a funder
Investment thesis
Identify and invest in venture-backed startups developing dual-use technologies critical to US national security and intelligence community missions. Bridge between commercial innovation and government defense/intelligence applications.
Focus narrative
Series A ($16.7M avg, 111 investments) and Series B ($35.7M avg, 79) primary. Seed ($11.5M avg, 64). Two mechanisms: Technology Development Agreements ($500K-$3M) and Equity-Only ($250K-$500K). Always minority co-investor with private VCs. 50 new investments/year.
Value beyond capital
Government customer access and validation. Federal procurement navigation. Technology transition to CIA, DIA, FBI, NGA, NRO, NSA, DHS, ONR, Space Force. De-risking through government demand signal. Co-investor network of top-tier private VCs. National security insights.
Terms and economics
- Typical check
- $250,000–$3,000,000
- Sweet spot
- $1,500,000
Focus and fit
- Stages
- Seed · Series A · Series B
- Sectors
- Advanced Materials · AI · Biotech · Cybersecurity · Quantum Computing · Robotics · Sensor Tech · Space Tech
Availability
- Currently deploying
- Yes
Portfolio and track record
- Recorded portfolio count
- 800
- Investments in the last 12 months
- 34
- Last recorded investment
- February 18, 2026
Portfolio context
800+ companies. 25+ unicorns. 21+ IPOs. Enterprise Apps (264 investments), High Tech (223). Notable: zSpace (NASDAQ Dec 2024), D-Wave (NYSE 2024), ICEYE (unicorn 2025). Recent: GetReal ($17.5M Series A), Alta Resource Technologies, Efficient Computer (Feb 2026).
Common questions
What to know about IQT (In-Q-Tel)
Upseed classifies IQT (In-Q-Tel) under the Government VC organization type. Its current public profile includes funder capabilities.
Source and update disclosure
Know what this page is based on
Source basis
Public organization and program material, official websites, and structured Upseed records.
Last reviewed
February 28, 2026
Known limits
Capability profiles appear only when a structured public profile also contains decision-useful role evidence. Terms and availability can change.
Upseed is an independent guide. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by the organization described on this page.