Marlinspike
Marlinspike Partners is a venture capital firm investing in dual-use technologies with national security and commercial applications, focused on AI, autonomy, advanced manufacturing, aerospace, and cybersecurity.
- CEO / Founder
- Neil Keegan
- Team Size
- 1-10
- Stage
- Growth Stage
- Key Investors
- Fairfax County Employees' Retirement System; Fairfax County Police Officers Retirement System; Conway Investment Solutions; family offices
Technology & Products
Key Products
Marlinspike Disruptive Technology Fund I (2022); Marlinspike Disruptive Technology Fund II (2024, $127M); Co-investments in Palantir, Shield AI, SpaceX prior to fund formation
Differentiation
Value Proposition
Specialist dual-use VC firm investing at the intersection of national security and commercial markets, providing capital, strategic advisory, and ecosystem access to early-stage companies in AI, autonomy, advanced manufacturing, aerospace, and cybersecurity.
How They Differentiate
Team combines military/intelligence community experience, Wall Street (Goldman Sachs), family office management, and private equity operational expertise. Deep connectivity to DoD, CIA, DARPA, and Silicon Valley. High-conviction approach with ability to deploy up to 15-20% of a fund into a single position.
Market & Competition
Target Customers
Early-stage (pre-seed through Series B) dual-use technology companies serving U.S. national security and commercial markets
Industry Verticals
Aerospace & Defense; Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning; Autonomy & Robotics; Cybersecurity; Advanced Manufacturing; Space
Competitors
Shield Capital; In-Q-Tel; Lux Capital
Growth & Milestones
Major Milestones
2020: Founded by Neil Keegan; 2022: Launched Marlinspike Disruptive Technology Fund I with positions in Anduril, Armada, Voyager Technologies, Elroy Air; 2024: Launched Fund II with positions in Layup Parts, Kodiak AI, BrightAI, JetZero; 2026: Closed oversubscribed $127M Fund II (surpassed $75M target); Portfolio company Elroy Air announced plans to go public via SPAC