Rebellion Defense

Rebellion Defense is a software company founded in 2019 to develop artificial intelligence (AI) solutions for the US military and intelligence agencies. The company's key product offerings include Rebellion Iris, software that helps military analysts detect threats and understand intelligence data; Rebellion Dispatch, which uses AI to recommend optimal courses of action for military operations; and Rebellion Nova, a cybersecurity tool that simulates adversary attacks to identify vulnerabilities. Rebellion Defense aims to modernize warfare with sophisticated software and bring Silicon Valley-style innovation to the defense sector.

The company has secured several contracts with US government agencies. In February 2024, Rebellion was awarded a contract to support the US Navy's Project Overmatch, an initiative to improve data-driven decision-making as part of the Pentagon's Combined Joint All-Domain Command and Control strategy. In April 2023, the National Nuclear Security Administration selected Rebellion's Nova product to provide continuous cybersecurity testing for critical infrastructure systems. Rebellion has also worked with the US Air Force, Army, and Special Operations Command.

However, Rebellion Defense has faced challenges in delivering on its ambitious vision. The company raised significant venture capital funding, reaching a USD 1 billion valuation in 2021, but has struggled to secure large government contracts matching that valuation. In 2023, Rebellion reportedly generated around USD 20 million in contract value, falling short of more optimistic projections. The company went through layoffs and restructuring in 2023, including closing its UK operations and replacing its founding CEO Chris Lynch.

Key customers and partnerships

Rebellion has also partnered with Clearshark, a value-added reseller, to accelerate deployment of its software to federal government agencies. This partnership facilitated Rebellion's contract with the National Nuclear Security Administration in April 2023.