National Security Innovation Capital

Investment thesis

NSIC accelerates dual-use hardware technologies critical to U.S. national security and economic competitiveness, addressing a shortfall of trusted private investment for startups developing hardware products with both commercial and national-security applications.

Focus narrative

NSIC invests in dual-use hardware technologies with both commercial and defense applications. The organization is particularly interested in technologies that offer significant performance improvements, low size, weight, power, and cost, enhanced safety, secure supply chains, resilience to threats, and adaptability to austere environments. Key areas of interest include AI, autonomy, cyber & telecommunications, emerging technology, energy, human systems, and space.

Value beyond capital

NSIC provides non-dilutive funding through Other Transaction agreements, enabling startups to advance product-development milestones when traditional private capital is scarce. This support is crucial for hardware-oriented companies that require prototype capital before conventional investors or defense buyers can underwrite the risk.