In-Q-Tel

Discusses the upcoming 6G transition and emphasizes the importance of injecting openness and American companies into the current 5G infrastructure competition for telecommunications supremacy.

Watchtower Labs, co-founded by former Marine Corps officer Akhil Iyer and Microsoft veterans Souren Aghajanyan and John Morman, secures $35M to develop AI-driven logistics planning for military operations. The startup’s software simulates resource allocation—such as fuel, munitions, and medical supplies—using plain-language queries and optimization models, while retaining human decision-making authority. Watchtower won a prototype contract from the Defense Innovation Unit’s Joint Sustainment Decision Tool program, collaborating with U.S. Indo-Pacific Command and Northern Command. The company plans to expand beyond logistics into broader operational planning, with 30 employees across Bellevue, San Francisco, Hawaii, and D.C., aiming to double headcount by relocating to a larger Bellevue office.

Oct 2026 · GeekWireNews article

Watchtower Labs, co-founded by Shield Capital’s Raj Shah and led by CEO Akhil Iyer, launches a $35M-funded AI-driven logistics software suite for defense planners. The tool uses natural language queries and discrete-event simulations to model supply chain risks—such as anti-air missile shortages or cyber disruptions—returning actionable contingencies via a custom dashboard. Backed by Shield, Conviction, In-Q-Tel, and Founders Fund, Watchtower already supports early contracts with major U.S. operational commands and aims to replace manual Excel-based planning in high-stakes scenarios.

Oct 2026 · Upstarts MediaNews article

Reach Security raises over **$50 million** in Series B funding led by Top Tier Capital Partners to expand its AI-driven cybersecurity platform, **Reach Everywhere**. The company’s technology automates security control adjustments in real time, helping enterprises prioritize only actionable vulnerabilities while integrating with existing tools like ServiceNow and Jira. Customers, including Autodesk and Insurity, report **160+ hours saved weekly** and a **156% ROI** from streamlined exposure management. Reach’s deterministic AI validates controls continuously, addressing AI-fueled attack speeds—where adversaries now operate in as little as **27 seconds**—by ensuring defenses adapt without manual intervention.

Oct 2026 · FinTech GlobalNews article

Sensible Biotechnologies secures **$47 million** in funding, including a Series A round and up to **$20 million** in non-dilutive grants from the **Government of Slovakia** and the **European Union**. The capital will advance its **next-generation mRNA medicine platform**, enabling scalable development of RNA-based therapeutics. The company leverages its proprietary technology to enhance precision and efficiency in mRNA drug design.

Oct 2026 · GENNews article