Forward Deployed VC

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 best investors in hard tech are those who have actually been "forward deployed" in the field themselves. The firm's thesis is that applied AI solving tangible physical problems is the defining investment opportunity of this era. Scianna articulates this as backing startups that apply AI to real-world constraints: military logistics, energy grids, industrial automation, and national security infrastructure. FDVC explicitly avoids purely software-oriented consumer plays, preferring mission-critical systems that intersect with government, defense, and industrial end-markets. "The world has changed," Scianna has noted, emphasizing the intersection of AI and defense tech as the defining investment opportunity. FDVC backs founders building at this intersection. Fund History & Status FDVC operates two funds: Fund I (~$10M): Launched in 2022 after Scianna's initial angel portfolio spanning 2010–2021 demonstrated exceptional returns (43% IRR, 27x TVPI, 25x DPI across 28 companies). Fund I deployed into early-stage defense and deep tech companies. Fund II ($45M): Announced August 2025. Backed by 150 LPs including employees from Palantir, Anduril, and SpaceX, plus three institutional backers including Bain Capital Ventures. Fund II writes checks of $500K–$1M per company, targeting slightly larger positions than Fund I. FDVC is currently actively deploying from Fund II. Stage Focus & Check Size FDVC invests primarily at Seed and Series A stages: Check range: $100K–$5M Sweet spot: $1.5M (Fund I era); Fund II checks $500K–$1M Typical ownership target: Not publicly disclosed FDVC has shown willingness to make pre-seed bets on exceptional operators LP Network A defining feature of FDVC is its LP network: 150+ operators from Palantir, Anduril, and SpaceX who actively support portfolio companies. This network provides unique recruiting, BD, and government contracting advantages that go far beyond typical VC value-add. Bain Capital Ventures' participation signals institutional recognition of the fund's thesis and track record. Portfolio Highlights FDVC has invested in 27+ companies spanning defense, energy, AI, and industrial sectors. Notable portfolio companies include: Anduril – Autonomous defense systems company; multi-billion dollar valuation Palantir – Data analytics platform; publicly traded ($PLTR) Oklo – Nuclear micro-reactors; publicly traded ($OKLO) SpaceX – Rockets and spacecraft (early angel position) Castelion – Modern defense production Turion Space – Space security and debris mitigation Chariot Defense – Power systems for military vehicles Rune Technologies – AI-enabled military logistics platform (participated in $24M Series A, July 2025) Cape – Privacy-first mobile carrier for security-sensitive users Adyton – Mobile defense technology Govly – Government contracting platform Method Security – Autonomous cyber defense Conductor AI – AI data compliance Paladin Drones – Drones as first responder Biobot – Wastewater epidemiology AmpUp – Commercial EV management MLtwist – AI data pipelines Stell – Mission requirements Windmill – Production workflow orchestration Zensors – AI for operations PropelAuth – Auth for B2B applications Statuspage.io – Acquired by Atlassian (exit) SolveAI – Software development applications (Feb 2026) Team Mark Scianna — General Partner Scianna is the founder and general partner of FDVC. He spent 11 years at Palantir as a founding member of their defense team, physically stationed in war zones (Afghanistan, Iraq, Horn of Africa) to deploy Palantir's solutions. He led development of Palantir Forward, Palantir Mobile, and Project Maven. He began investing in 2010 at Palantir's Series D, began attending Y Combinator Demo Days in 2014, and launched FDVC Fund I in 2022. Named a top 50 emerging manager by Signature Block, and selected from 700+ applicants for the RAISE Global LP committee. Travis Galdieri — Partner Galdieri is a Partner at FDVC with extensive experience from Palantir's defense team. He was team lead for "Palantir Forward" (the foundation for an $800M Army contract) and "Palantir Mobile" (used by federal law enforcement). His operational background gives him deep knowledge of military software procurement and deployment. Geographic Focus Primarily United States, with emphasis on companies serving US Department of Defense, US government agencies, and allied nations' defense establishments. Headquartered in San Francisco, CA. Decision Process FDVC is run by Scianna with a small partnership. Given the tight network-driven approach, deals originate primarily from the Palantir/Anduril/SpaceX operator network. Scianna has stated the fund is driven by backing "the homies" — founders he knows and trusts from the defense tech ecosystem. Competitive Differentiation What makes FDVC unique is the combination of: Operator network — 150+ LP-engineers who are active participants in portfolio companies Government access — Deep relationships within DoD, intelligence community, and allied forces Technical credibility — GP and partners who have actually deployed software in combat zones Early entry — Track record of angel investments in Anduril, Palantir, SpaceX before these companies became iconic Anti-Thesis FDVC does not invest in pure consumer apps, gambling, social media, or any company without a plausible path to government/defense/industrial customers. The firm avoids companies that lack mission-critical use cases or where the founding team lacks hands-on operator experience.