The data analyst can quickly translate, ingest, and distribute information
The startup company understands how to build successful relationships with our government partners
The cybersecurity analyst can better identify vulnerabilities in their networks.
All because of tech expertise and sophisticated insights brought forth by In-Q-Tel.
Who We Are
Innovation on a Mission
In-Q-Tel has served one mission for more than 20 years: to deliver the most sophisticated source of strategic technical knowledge and capabilities to the U.S. government and its allies. In-Q-Tel explores emerging technology and provides insight, powering its partners with the ability to better anticipate and advance national security in the 21st century.
In-Q-Tel is like no other.
Our distinct role at the intersection of the government, venture capital, and the startup world equips In-Q-Tel to make impactful investments.
We share insights, nurture creativity, and bring unparalleled access to deep technological expertise.
Explore
Global sourcing of technologies and trends paired with deep market and technical analyses inform and drive investments, technical direction, and development.
Explain
Inform and advise government partners with technical insights and resources; advise our portfolio companies on best practices to collaborate and provide a voice and platform to connect them with our government partners.
Enable
The body of work bringing together sourcing, market and technology research and analysis, and testing and evaluation delivers critically needed technology for national security.
Smart Investing. Innovative Insights.
Investments typically range from $500,000 to $3 million and usually involve multiple government partners.
Investment includes two elements: a work program, which funds technology modifications needed for our government partners, and an equity stake usually in the form of a warrant.
Global, Prolific Investor
We average one investment per week and count more than 500 investments in our portfolio. Every $1 invested by In-Q-Tel leverages $44 in private sector investment.
Bringing Near-Ready to Ready Now
IQT seeks dual-use technologies, meaning they have both the potential for commercial success and high national security impact. We work with companies to enhance their technology for government agencies for testing and use within 12 – 24 months.
Dual Purpose, Multiple Bets
We often make multiple investments in technology areas and our investments often include multiple government partners. This approach maximizes cross-collaboration across government agencies and taxpayer dollars by avoiding time- and cost-intensive custom-built solutions.
For Startups
Partnering with Startups
More than just an investor
In-Q-Tel invests in visionary, commercially focused companies we believe in and see the opportunity to build a long-term partnership on behalf of our government partners.
In-Q-Tel is a careful, selective strategic investor. An investment and partnership with In-Q-Tel demonstrates the company and its technology have real utility and potential to deliver national security capabilities.
Startups have traditionally avoided pursuing the federal marketplace due to requirements using limited time, capital, and other resources they cannot afford to give. It’s simple: In-Q-Tel knocks down barriers to working with Government.
- 70%
- of In-Q-Tel’s Portfolio Companies have never done business with the government.
- $500K-$3M
- Investments typically range from $500,000 to $3 million and often involve partners from multiple agencies.
By getting involved early in investments — such as FireEye four years before its IPO — IQT helps influence product direction resulting in features first suggested by government partners.
500+ investments and counting.
Our Portfolio Companies obtain financial resources, market understanding, engineering expertise, and a voice and access to government partners. In-Q-Tel helps Portfolio Companies understand how their technology and innovation can be practically applied and innovated within a government ecosystem, institutional knowledge they otherwise would not have access to.
Beyond connections with its government partners, In-Q-Tel fosters connections between Portfolio Companies and top-tier investors. These efforts can lead to capital injection, credibility, and insights that help them shape their technology and deploy its utility in different and new ways.
For Government
Partnering with Government
In-Q-Tel strengthens its partners ability to see, reach, and use cutting-edge technology via its global lens, footprint, and long-term institutional knowledge gathered by supporting the national security community for more than 20 years.
In-Q-Tel identifies and adapts “ready-soon” technologies and products near the final stages of commercialization and do not require long-term development from the ground up. This means we find and deliver to our U.S. government partners critical, innovative technology quickly and cost-effectively to strengthen national security through new technologies.
In-Q-Tel’s success is measured by mission use and impact:
- More than 75% of In-Q-Tel’s investments have been field-tested by our government partners.
- Approximately 50% of our investments have been adopted for use.
Our team’s expertise spans a broad range of technology areas and their markets. This enables In-Q-Tel to map technologies to our partners’ national security challenges with a strategic, comprehensive approach.
IQT focuses on mission-critical areas such as:
Digital Intelligence
Trusted Infrastructure
Autonomous Systems
Industry 4.0
Intelligent Connectivity
Data Analytics
AI and Machine Learning
IT Platforms
For Venture Capital
Collaborating with VCs
In-Q-Tel regularly co-invests alongside other venture capital and private sector investors, serving as a force multiplier in the VC community.
In fact, every $1 invested by In-Q-Tel leverages $44 in private sector investment. This backing, along with active support for our Portfolio Companies, helps ensure the long-term commercial viability of the company. And this backing benefits In-Q-Tel’s government partners by reducing technology development costs and, ultimately, the taxpayer.
For the Record
Shedding light on commonly asked questions.
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