South African Rheinmetall Unit Receives Record NATO Order for Artillery Shells
America's Frontier Fund, a national security-focused venture capital firm, is raising up to $315 million for its first fund, combining $140 million in private capital with $175 million in government-backed loans through the SBIC Critical Technology Initiative. The fund aims to support frontier technologies—such as AI, space, biotech, and advanced manufacturing—that bolster U.S. economic and geopolitical strength. Despite a challenging VC landscape, the fund significantly exceeds the average first-fund size in 2024 and reflects growing investment in defense tech, which surged to $1.4 billion in Q1 2025. Led by In-Q-Tel cofounder Gilman Louie and former Schmidt Futures executive Jordan Blashek, the firm has backing from prominent figures like Eric Schmidt and Peter Thiel and also supports innovation through its nonprofit foundation and Roadrunner Venture Studios.