Obviant Secures $7.1M to Expand Defense Data Intelligence Platform
Obviant, a data intelligence platform revolutionizing the utilization of U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) acquisition, contracting, and budgeting data, announced the successful completion of a $7.1 million seed funding round. The investment was led by Shield Capital, with participation from Motivate Venture Capital, A*, New Vista Capital, Aloft Venture Capital, and Underdog Labs.
As defense budgets continue to rise and the defense technology sector expands, timely access to relevant data is important for companies and investors identifying new opportunities. The Department of Defense also needs up-to-date information to assess how its budget supports strategic goals. However, transparency and efficiency in Pentagon acquisitions are affected by fragmented data, outdated IT systems, and documentation that is organized by legacy programs rather than current mission requirements.
FY26 Budget by Activity
Obviant’s artificial intelligence-driven platform addresses these challenges by providing real-time transparency and context to the defense procurement landscape. By aggregating and harmonizing information from thousands of sources, including program documents, defense budget justification books, and Congressional reports, Obviant delivers a comprehensive view of acquisition, contracting, and budgeting activities across the DoD.
FY26 Budget by Branch
Data can be organized by mission areas or specific programs, such as contested logistics or Golden Dome, revealing key opportunities. By integrating open-source intelligence (OSINT) and proprietary customer data with AI-powered analysis, Obviant enhances understanding of the defense procurement process, enabling users to pursue opportunities with greater confidence.
FY26 Golden Dome Budget
The investment coincides with significant transformation within the defense sector, as a growing number of organizations deliver advanced technological solutions. Obviant’s clients include fast-growing defense startups, leading contractors, multinational investment firms, advisory organizations, think tanks, and government agencies, all seeking to operate more effectively within the complex, $1 trillion+ U.S. defense market.
As lawmakers propose changes to the defense acquisition system and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth advocates for increased speed and efficiency in the weapons procurement process, Brendan Karp, Co-founder and CEO of Obviant, stated that the company may contribute to advancements in these areas.“We feel like we can play an accelerant role in that process.”
Karp further elaborated, “We are at a pivotal moment for defense acquisition. To ensure that advanced capabilities reach warfighters swiftly, stakeholders across industry and government must rely on real-time, actionable data, rather than speculation or manual spreadsheets. Obviant’s goal is to provide this single source of truth and illuminate underlying trends, enabling technology, policy, and investment decisions to keep pace with the sector’s demands.”
Michael Brown, Partner at Shield Capital and former Director of the DoD’s Defense Innovation Unit, added, “Historically, success in engaging with the DoD has been hampered by a lack of real-time consolidated data on spending related to defense mission capabilities and new technologies, such as resilient communications or unmanned systems. Obviant offers a solution that provides granular and aggregated insights into expenditure on these critical capabilities, supporting improved decision-making.”
Founded in 2023, Obviant provides comprehensive support to defense technology enterprises by aligning their solutions with available funding opportunities, delivering in-depth analyses and market evaluations for investors, and assisting Department of Defense offices in portfolio visualization and technology transition facilitation. With the recent capital investment, Obviant plans to expand its team, enhance its platform’s AI capabilities, and grow its client base, furthering its mission of driving more informed decision-making across companies, investors, and government stakeholders in the defense sector.