Squadra News: Highlights from 2025, ready for 2026
As we head into the new year, we’re excited to launch our monthly newsletter to share the wins from our portfolio companies and keep you plugged into opportunities to connect across the Squadra network.
Good Morning! As we head into the new year, we’re excited to launch our monthly newsletter to share news, jobs, and events from our portfolio companies and network. The goal is to keep you plugged into opportunities to connect across the Squadra ecosystem. Consider this your go-to snapshot of what's happening this month and how to engage.
In this edition you will find:
📈 Portfolio company wins
✨ Squadra highlights from Q4 2025
🚀 Opportunities ahead in 2026
Company News to Celebrate
🛠️ PDW secured a strategic investment of $35M from Ondas Holding further fueling production and expansion in advanced combat robotics. After opening a massive 90,000 sq ft factory in Huntsville in August, the company now has the capacity to pump out 60,000 FPV drones a year.
🧬 Endolith closed a $13.5M Series A which was featured in the Wall Street Journal, with commitments bringing the round to $16.5M total. Their breakthrough biotechnology is redefining how essential minerals, like copper, are extracted from the earth.
🛰️ Overwatch Imaging continued its climb this year earning a feature in the Wall Street Journal where CEO Greg Davis spotlighted the company’s AI powered sensing and ‘superhuman vision’ technology and how it is reshaping intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) missions worldwide.
🌌 Wyvern welcomed Dr. Lisa Costa, former Chief Technology & Innovation Officer of the U.S. Space Force, as a strategic advisor, bringing deep national security expertise to support Wyvern’s mission of advancing next-gen, space-based imaging.
🛡️ Shift5 closed a $75M Series C and secured a coveted position on the Missile Defense Agency’s SHIELD IDIQ, enabling rapid deployment of the company's cybersecurity and predictive maintenance capabilities across critical homeland defense platforms.
Network Highlights to Share
Boundary Breakers - In collaboration with Johns Hopkins Technology Ventures, we were proud to host Boundary Breakers, a showcase of critical technology innovations in national security, as part of DC Startup & Tech Week. The event highlighted entrepreneurs who are solving some of the hardest national security challenges in disciplines that have been prioritized by US leaders for increased focus. Check out the recap and watch our very own Dan Madden, Margaret Roth, and CEO of Falcomm Edgar Garay take the stage.
AUSA 2025 - In October, six of our companies were part of the exhibitions at the Association of the United States Army's annual meeting and Aurelius Systems took home the prize from the Army’s first-ever FUZE tech competition. From the conference floor to engagements across the city, we provided meaningful space for our teams to connect with customers in DC and had a blast hosting our annual conference social. View the photo album.
Squadra’s Annual General Meeting - In November, we gathered our community of investors, founders, and collaborators to reflect on what we’ve accomplished to date and to chart the course for what comes next in Fund III. We highlighted our work and progress to make transformational impact in every company in our portfolio and were proud to have them take the stage. Check out the recap on LinkedIn.
Open Roles Across the Squad
💥 Aurelius Systems is hiring a Talent Acquisition Lead to own, scale, and professionalize the recruiting process across the company. Location: San Francisco, CA
🗺️ Overwatch Imaging is hiring a Senior Product Marketing Lead to support go-to-market execution for their Automated Sensor Operator (ASO) software and advanced multispectral Smart Sensors. Location: Hood River, OR
👾 Copia Automation is hiring a VP of Engineering to ensure that their software team delivers with speed and quality, and that consistency of delivery continues as they add headcount, product, and technical scope. Location: New York, NY
🛡️ Shift5 is hiring a Partnerships Lead to serve as the primary contact for their expanding base of Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) customers. Location: Arlington, VA
🤖 PDW is hiring a Solutions Engineer, Advanced Mission Group to lead the design, prototyping, and integration of advanced unmanned systems (UAS) hardware and electronics. Location: Huntsville, AL
Up Next this Month
💻 From Static Compliance to Continuous ATO: Operationalizing RMF and CSRM-C with Security Control Management (SCM) is the latest Carahsoft webinar featuring portfolio company Sicura. Across the DoW and the federal government, the shift toward continuous compliance is no longer optional — it’s mandated. This webinar will walk through how to action the move to continuous compliance, breaking down silos between security, engineering, and operations. The webinar runs January 28th from 1:00-2:00 PM ET, register through Carahsoft.
💵 Venture in the Capital 2026 is a student-run, Georgetown-based forum born out of a simple idea — bring together the most influential founders, investors, and policymakers and spark the kinds of conversations that shape what’s next. In support to our Hoyas Isaac Carp and Navneet Vishwanathan, Managing Partner Guy Filippelli will share our perspective on a defense tech panel. The event runs January 30th on campus, register on Eventbrite.
Final Look from the Field
Squadra portfolio company Aurelius Systems, which builds directed energy laser systems for counter-drone defense, held a successful demo for the US Army at JPRMC in Schofield Barracks, Hawaii. Check it out on LinkedIn.
Squadra Ventures is a venture capital firm led by founder-operators that invests in early-stage national security companies advancing the critical edge. Grounded in the belief that success is a combination of people, product, and planning, the Squadra team provides transformational support to startup leaders in the complex dual-use technology ecosystem. By applying a growth-stage mindset at the seed stage and a commitment to building alongside entrepreneurs, Squadra empowers extraordinary teams to win and leave a lasting positive impact on the world.
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