Why we invested in Darkhive
At Ten Eleven Ventures, we recognize that secure technology is vital to modern military operations. As part of our continued interest in investing in technology that fortifies the security of national defense systems for the US and its allies, we are excited to announce our latest investment in Darkhive.
Darkhive’s mission is to create an accessible and reliable situational awareness system through secure Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) that is easy for anyone in the field to use. The company was born from veteran and CEO John Goodson’s personal experiences and the commitment he developed from those experiences to build the very best reconnaissance options for tactical service members. John and his co-founder Steve have assembled an incredible team of US Special Operations veterans, aerospace engineers, robotics perception experts, DevSecOps specialists, and defense technology executives to assist them in this mission. They have worked incredibly hard since inception to get to where they are today, as John puts it, “working side by side with the user” to develop a superior product that will not let soldiers down when needed the most. Success has come quickly, including several SBIR Phase II awards and recently an SBIR Phase III $100 MM AFWERX (the United States Air Force innovation unit under the Air Force Research Lab) contract.
Our Series A investment will further enable Darkhive to develop its lightweight, short- and mid-range reconnaissance drones, augmented by its proprietary software delivery platform. This software platform is engineered to build, scan, test, and deploy Department of Defense (DoD) accredited software securely, also enabling comprehensive fleet and device management in the field. As cybersecurity-obsessed as we are, this is a critical and exciting additional dimension of innovation that Darkhive brings to the table. As we have learned from our experience in private-sector cybersecurity, secure asset management is vital but not easy to implement. Darkhive’s comprehensive and integrated approach will make fleet management and corresponding software updates seamless in a tactical environment. Ultimately, this makes personnel safer and missions more likely to succeed.
As a cybersecurity investor, we are committed to reviewing and supporting technologies that strengthen national security initiatives. In the current geopolitical landscape, advanced defense solutions are more crucial than ever, and we firmly believe in the role of venture capital in maintaining the technological edge of the US and its allies. Our portfolio, which includes successful exited investments like BlackHorse Solutions and current investments that support national security initiatives, including Fivecast, Corsha, and Hidden Layer, reflects this commitment. By adding Darkhive to our portfolio, we aim to further contribute to a future where defense strategies are fortified through secure emerging technologies.
We are pleased to be joined in this investment by our friends at Crosslink Capital, RTX Ventures, and Stellar Ventures. It is an honor to be part of the Darkhive story, and we look forward to supporting them throughout their next growth phase. Thank you to John and Steve for letting us jump aboard. See you out there.
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