New North Ventures

New North Ventures is a venture capital firm focused on the intersection of national security and innovation, supporting founders with bold ideas and democratic values.

High-Level Overview

New North Ventures is an early-stage venture capital firm focused on investing in critical technologies that address national security and global strategic challenges. Their mission centers on advancing innovation in areas such as AI/ML decision-making, cybersecurity, and combating misinformation, with a particular emphasis on companies that have dual-use applications for both commercial and government sectors. The firm targets startups primarily in the USA and allied countries, investing from Pre-Seed through Series A rounds with check sizes typically between $1M and $3M. By leveraging a unique blend of national security expertise and technology partnerships, New North Ventures aims to create asymmetric, venture-scale advantages in a global power competition, thereby significantly impacting the startup ecosystem by supporting companies that contribute to defense, intelligence, and critical infrastructure resilience[1][2][4].

Origin Story

Founded by Brett Davis and Colby Jordan, New North Ventures emerged to fill a niche at the intersection of venture capital and national security. The firm is headquartered in New Hampshire and was established to invest in technologies that not only offer commercial potential but also address pressing defense and intelligence challenges. Over time, New North Ventures has evolved to incorporate a strong government connection, enabling access to sensitive information, threat assessments, and clearance assistance, which enhances their ability to source and scale dual-use companies effectively. This evolution reflects a strategic focus on technologies that serve both national interests and commercial markets, positioning the firm as a bridge between innovation and security[2][3][5].

Core Differentiators

• Unique Investment Model: New North Ventures combines private capital with non-equity government capital (e.g., SBA-backed SBIC funds), effectively leveraging every $1 of private capital with $1.25 of non-equity capital to maximize investment impact and returns[1].

• Network Strength: The firm’s team includes partners with deep national security and technology backgrounds, providing unparalleled access to government insights, threat intelligence, and clearance processes, which are critical for vetting and supporting dual-use startups[1][6].

• Track Record: Their Fund II targets a 10%-15% equity stake in early-stage companies with an exit timeline of 5-8 years, aiming for strong returns exemplified by a projected 3.4x to 6.0x net multiple on invested capital depending on fund structure[1].

• Operating Support: Beyond capital, New North Ventures offers unique research agreements, sensitive unclassified information access, and ongoing due diligence to ensure portfolio companies comply with national security standards and maintain trust, safety, and security in their technology development[6].

Role in the Broader Tech Landscape

New North Ventures is riding the critical trend of integrating advanced technologies like AI/ML and cybersecurity into national defense and critical infrastructure. The timing is crucial as geopolitical tensions and digital threats escalate globally, increasing demand for innovative solutions that can operate securely within government frameworks. Market forces such as increased government funding for defense tech, the rise of dual-use technology startups, and the need for secure supply chains work strongly in the firm’s favor. By bridging commercial innovation with national security needs, New North Ventures influences the broader ecosystem by accelerating the development and deployment of technologies that protect democratic institutions and allied nations, thereby shaping the future of defense tech innovation[1][4][6].

Quick Take & Future Outlook

Looking ahead, New North Ventures is poised to expand its influence by continuing to back startups that solve the hardest problems at the nexus of technology and national security. Trends such as AI governance, cybersecurity resilience, and misinformation countermeasures will likely shape their investment focus. The firm’s dual-use investment philosophy and government connections position it well to capitalize on increasing defense budgets and the growing importance of secure technology ecosystems. As geopolitical competition intensifies, New North Ventures’ role as a strategic investor will likely deepen, potentially influencing policy and innovation standards in defense-related tech sectors. Their commitment to trust, safety, and security principles will remain a cornerstone, ensuring their portfolio companies contribute positively to allied national interests[1][6].