Defcon AI Raises $44M to Improve Military Logistics

Virginia-based startup Defcon AI has successfully raised $44 million in a seed funding round led by Bessemer Venture Partners, with contributions from Fifth Growth Fund and Red Cell Partners. Founded in 2022 by retired U.S. Air Force General Paul Selva, Yisroel Brumer, and Grant Verstandig, Defcon AI aims to address the complex challenges faced by Department of Defense (DOD) operators in planning and coordinating resources for contested operations, whether due to natural disasters or adversarial threats. The company has developed innovative software that allows operators to set parameters and utilize algorithms to optimize logistical outcomes. Selva, who previously commanded the Air Mobility Command and served as vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, emphasized that Defcon was created in response to a specific mission need identified by the Air Mobility Command that was not being met by existing industry solutions. The startup's approach combines machine learning and mathematical optimization to simulate various scenarios and enhance decision-making processes. Brumer, who previously held a significant role at the Pentagon overseeing budget submissions, noted that the software initially relied on reinforcement learning algorithms that do not require extensive data. However, Defcon is now integrating more data from the DOD to refine its simulations. The software also allows operators to model potential adversarial disruptions and optimize for various factors, such as speed and cost. As Defcon AI expands its capabilities to include logistics for trucks, trains, and ships, the company aims to build trust with a traditionally skeptical audience regarding decision support tools, ultimately striving for improved operational outcomes.