Our Thesis

The future of national security relies on technologies such as AI, autonomous systems, cyber capabilities, and infrastructure hardening - not just traditional military might. The US and its allies must prioritize these areas to maintain their advantage over competitors.

The scale of this opportunity is unprecedented. U.S. defense spending is projected to reach over $1 trillion by 2034, reflecting the growing investment in next-generation capabilities. This increasing focus on technological superiority has catalyzed a surge in private capital flowing into defense innovation, making it a resilient and vital area of investment even amid an overall slowdown in venture capital dealmaking.

Leading firms like Founders Fund, Andreessen Horowitz, and Lux Capital are actively backing transformative companies such as Anduril Industries, Shield AI, and Palantir Technologies. This trend is particularly significant in the United States and Europe, where defense startups are capturing both private investor attention and government support. In 2024 alone, approximately $9.1 billion has been invested across 228 deals, highlighting both the sector's importance to national security and its attractiveness to investors seeking meaningful impact alongside returns.



This significant growth in defense spending reflects fundamental shifts in the defense innovation landscape:

01

Traditional defense contractors struggle with adopting advanced innovations.


02

Early-stage innovators are proving nimbler at solving difficult legacy problems.


03

The DoD is actively seeking fresh ideas and private capital to rejuvenate the defense industrial base.


04

Venture capital's role in defense has grown exponentially, with over $130 billion in funding since 2021"


These shifts, combined with increasing defense budgets, create a unique moment in history.

At Novatus, we believe that the most promising innovations emerge at the intersection of commercial and defense applications. Our focus is on visionary entrepreneurs building sustainable businesses that can succeed in commercial markets while strengthening national security capabilities.

Our thesis is built on a fundamental understanding: successful defense innovation starts with commercial viability. The technologies transforming civilian industries – from artificial intelligence and autonomous systems to quantum computing and advanced materials – create unprecedented opportunities in both commercial and defense applications. By focusing on dual-use technologies, our portfolio companies can maintain pricing power and reduce dependency on government contracts while serving critical national security needs.

This is where Novatus steps in. Through our unique ecosystem approach and precision deployment of capital and expertise, we help companies build sustainable business models that leverage both commercial and defense opportunities. We identify innovations with proven commercial applications across key domains – autonomous systems, advanced cybersecurity solutions, artificial intelligence, and quantum technologies – that can also address critical defense needs.

Beyond capital, our deep understanding of both commercial markets and the defense landscape enables us to accelerate the journey from concept to capability. We help companies establish strong commercial foundations while navigating the complexities of the defense market. This dual-market approach, combined with our extensive network of industry and defense partners, creates a powerful platform for sustainable growth.

We focus on technologies that can deliver value across multiple markets. Our portfolio companies develop commercial solutions in autonomous systems, robotics, and AI-enabled platforms that can be adapted for defense applications. These dual-use innovations serve civilian markets while providing critical capabilities to defense stakeholders.

Our mission extends beyond individual investments. We are building an ecosystem that aligns the interests of innovators, commercial customers, and defense stakeholders. By bringing together commercial expertise with defense requirements, we're creating a new model for sustainable innovation that serves both markets effectively.

The opportunity couldn't be greater. In an era of rapid technological change, companies that can successfully serve both commercial and defense markets are positioned for exceptional growth. That's why we're not just investors – we're partners in building sustainable businesses that strengthen both our economy and national security.

We are Novatus, and we invite visionary entrepreneurs, forward-thinking investors, and committed partners to join us in this mission. Together, we can build innovative companies that succeed commercially while contributing to a safer, stronger, and more secure future for our nation.

Our Thesis

The future of national security relies on technologies such as AI, autonomous systems, cyber capabilities, and infrastructure hardening - not just traditional military might. The US and its allies must prioritize these areas to maintain their advantage over competitors.

The scale of this opportunity is unprecedented. U.S. defense spending is projected to reach over $1 trillion by 2034, reflecting the growing investment in next-generation capabilities. This increasing focus on technological superiority has catalyzed a surge in private capital flowing into defense innovation, making it a resilient and vital area of investment even amid an overall slowdown in venture capital dealmaking.

Leading firms like Founders Fund, Andreessen Horowitz, and Lux Capital are actively backing transformative companies such as Anduril Industries, Shield AI, and Palantir Technologies. This trend is particularly significant in the United States and Europe, where defense startups are capturing both private investor attention and government support. In 2024 alone, approximately $9.1 billion has been invested across 228 deals, highlighting both the sector's importance to national security and its attractiveness to investors seeking meaningful impact alongside returns.

This significant growth in defense spending reflects fundamental shifts in the defense innovation landscape:

01

Traditional defense contractors struggle with adopting advanced innovations.

02

Early-stage innovators are proving nimbler at solving difficult legacy problems.

03

The DoD is actively seeking fresh ideas and private capital to rejuvenate the defense industrial base.

04

Venture capital's role in defense has grown exponentially, with over $130 billion in funding since 2021"

These shifts, combined with increasing defense budgets, create a unique moment in history.

At Novatus, we believe that the most promising innovations emerge at the intersection of commercial and defense applications. Our focus is on visionary entrepreneurs building sustainable businesses that can succeed in commercial markets while strengthening national security capabilities.

Our thesis is built on a fundamental understanding: successful defense innovation starts with commercial viability. The technologies transforming civilian industries – from artificial intelligence and autonomous systems to quantum computing and advanced materials – create unprecedented opportunities in both commercial and defense applications. By focusing on dual-use technologies, our portfolio companies can maintain pricing power and reduce dependency on government contracts while serving critical national security needs.

This is where Novatus steps in. Through our unique ecosystem approach and precision deployment of capital and expertise, we help companies build sustainable business models that leverage both commercial and defense opportunities. We identify innovations with proven commercial applications across key domains – autonomous systems, advanced cybersecurity solutions, artificial intelligence, and quantum technologies – that can also address critical defense needs.

Beyond capital, our deep understanding of both commercial markets and the defense landscape enables us to accelerate the journey from concept to capability. We help companies establish strong commercial foundations while navigating the complexities of the defense market. This dual-market approach, combined with our extensive network of industry and defense partners, creates a powerful platform for sustainable growth.

We focus on technologies that can deliver value across multiple markets. Our portfolio companies develop commercial solutions in autonomous systems, robotics, and AI-enabled platforms that can be adapted for defense applications. These dual-use innovations serve civilian markets while providing critical capabilities to defense stakeholders.

Our mission extends beyond individual investments. We are building an ecosystem that aligns the interests of innovators, commercial customers, and defense stakeholders. By bringing together commercial expertise with defense requirements, we're creating a new model for sustainable innovation that serves both markets effectively.

The opportunity couldn't be greater. In an era of rapid technological change, companies that can successfully serve both commercial and defense markets are positioned for exceptional growth. That's why we're not just investors – we're partners in building sustainable businesses that strengthen both our economy and national security.

We are Novatus, and we invite visionary entrepreneurs, forward-thinking investors, and committed partners to join us in this mission. Together, we can build innovative companies that succeed commercially while contributing to a safer, stronger, and more secure future for our nation.

Let’s bring your vision to life

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Contact us

Let’s bring your vision to life

Extreme close-up black and white photograph of a human eye

Contact us

Let’s bring your vision to life

Extreme close-up black and white photograph of a human eye

Contact us