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Forward Deployed VC

San Francisco, CA · Invests in US · Website

SeedSeries AB2B SaaSDeveloper ToolsClimate & EnergySpace & DefenseFrontier TechManufacturingAerospace & DefenseEnterprise SoftwareDeveloper Tools & InfrastructureClimate & Clean EnergyManufacturing & Industrial

Thesis

Backs mission-critical technology companies in Defense, Energy, Industrials, and AI — specifically applied AI solving tangible physical problems. Invests from a network of 150+ operators from Palantir, Anduril, and SpaceX.

Likely not a fit for

No pure consumer apps, social media, gambling, or companies without a plausible path to government/defense/industrial customers. Avoids non-technical founding teams without hands-on operator experience.

How they invest

Lead or follow
Usually follows
Typical decision
~1 month
Warm intro
Preferred
Involvement
Passive
Fund status
Actively deploying
Assets under mgmt
$55M
Decision process
Solo GP

Partners & team

3 contacts on file

MS

Mark Scianna

General PartnerGeneral Partner · Primary contact

+ Pitch

m•••@de•••.vc

LinkedIn profile

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MS

Mike Shafer

PartnerPartner

+ Pitch

m•••@de•••.vc

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TG

Travis Galdieri

PartnerPartner

+ Pitch

t•••@de•••.vc

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Portfolio

AndurilAerospace Defense

RedZone builds ruggedized, connected portable medical equipment for frontline emergency response teams, transforming outdated hardware into a modern, data-driven infrastructure. Their connected medical data platform enables real-time patient monitoring and equipment readiness, targeting military, EMS, and federal incident preparedness.

PalantirEnterprise Software

Palantir builds platforms for integrating, managing, and securing data, enabling human-driven analysis of real-world data. Their products are designed to empower users to ask complex questions without needing advanced technical skills.

OkloClimate Clean Energy

Oklo Inc. is focused on providing advanced nuclear energy solutions, including innovative technologies for energy generation and fuel recycling.

SpacexAerospace Defense

SpaceX designs and manufactures rockets and spacecraft, founded in 2002 to revolutionize space technology. It offers human spaceflight and research opportunities.

CastelionAerospace Defense

Castelion designs, tests, and manufactures next-generation military systems rapidly and at massive scale to deter future wars.

Turion SpaceAerospace Defense

Turion Space is focused on revolutionizing space sustainability by providing innovative solutions for space exploration, including advanced satellite systems and propulsion technologies.

Chariot DefenseAerospace Defense

Chariot Defense is building the intelligent hardware and software infrastructure to solve the military’s most critical bottleneck: how energy is transformed, controlled, and distributed as power across the modern battlefield. Their Amphora product line delivers silent, variable power specifically designed for distributed operations, electronic warfare, and autonomous systems at the tactical edge.

CapeSecurity Cyber

Cape is America's privacy-first mobile network, bringing connection without compromise to everyone.

AdytonEnterprise Software

Adyton develops mobile technology solutions designed to digitize and automate operational processes for the Department of Defense, enhancing the effectiveness and readiness of warfighters.

GovlyEnterprise Software

Govly is the leading procurement platform that helps contractors, primes, and distributors identify and pursue qualified procurement opportunities in the public sector, leveraging AI-powered tools to streamline the government contracting process.

Method SecuritySecurity Cyber

Method Security delivers cyber resilience to critical institutions through a full-spectrum security platform, focusing on autonomous defensive and offensive products.

Conductor AIEnterprise Software

Conductor AI automates and accelerates government approvals through its AI-enabled Conduit platform, which helps public and private sector partners navigate bureaucracy and compliance requirements efficiently.

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Research briefRead more
Forward Deployed VC Research Investment Thesis Forward Deployed Venture Capital (FDVC) is an early-stage venture capital firm laser-focused on mission-critical technology sectors: Defense, Energy, Industrials, and Artificial Intelligence. Founded in 2022 by Mark Scianna — a former Palantir forward-deployed engineer with 11 years at the company — the firm's identity is rooted in the idea that the b

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