Scout Ventures

Scout Ventures is a prominent early-stage venture capital firm strategically positioned across key innovation hubs in Austin, New York City, and San Francisco. The firm distinguishes itself by its sharp focus on frontier and dual-use technologies, seeking out companies that develop innovations with significant applications in both commercial markets and critical government sectors, including national security and defense. Their investment thesis is rooted in the belief that these technologies are pivotal in creating a "better, safer, and more productive world."

The firm primarily targets Seed and Series A rounds, often taking on a lead or co-lead role in these early-stage investments. Scout Ventures is known for its hands-on approach, leveraging its extensive network and deep expertise, particularly within the defense and intelligence communities, to provide substantial support and strategic guidance to its portfolio companies. This unique positioning allows them to identify and nurture startups that can bridge the gap between cutting-edge research and real-world impact across diverse sectors.

Scout Ventures typically deploys initial investment checks ranging from $500,000 to $3,000,000, reflecting their commitment to foundational support for emerging technologies. Their consistent ability to attract significant capital underscores their strong market reputation and successful investment strategy. For instance, the firm successfully closed its Fund IV at $110 million in 2021, followed by an even larger Fund V, which secured $125 million in 2023. These successive fundraises demonstrate their expanding capacity and continued confidence from limited partners, enabling them to back a growing number of transformative companies in areas such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, advanced materials, and space technology.