Highway1 offers a collaborative, hands-on environment to help startups move through these challenges and reach a look, that works like a prototype ready for funding. They help them understand how to manufacture at scale, get to market faster and avoid inventory risk.

Highway1

Bling Capital is a venture capital investment firm based in the San Francisco Bay Area, California. It primarily invests in consumer tech, internet, mobile, marketplace, data, fintech, SaaS, and automation sectors.

Bling Capital

Webb Investment Network is an investment firm that particularly in mobile, consumer Internet, and cloud applications. With its Affiliate Network, the firm draws not only from Maynard’s experience and insight but from those CEOs, CTOs, founders, and investors who make up the WIN Affiliate Network to provide our portfolio companies with on-demand advice and support.

Webb Investment Network

Knoll Ventures is an early-stage venture capital firm that invests in B2B technology enabled companies prior to the Series A round.

Knoll Ventures

Madison Valley Partners is a investment firm.

Madison Valley Partners

Somewear Labs

Somewear’s software platform and satellite-powered hardware enable commercial and government teams to maintain situational awareness during high-pressure operations — in any environment. Somewear serves a wide range of customers including helicopter paramedics, backcountry explorers, firefighters, and operators within the US Department of Defense. The company’s purpose is to build best-in-class solutions that keep people in touch, informed, and safe anywhere in the world.

Somewear Labs, founded in 2017 by former Tesla, Apple and Intuit engineers, develops satellite communication technology for use in remote areas without cellular coverage. The company's flagship product is the Somewear Global Hotspot, a pocket-sized satellite communication device that pairs with a smartphone to enable messaging, location tracking, weather reports, and SOS functionality anywhere in the world. The Global Hotspot utilizes the Iridium satellite network to provide 100% global coverage.

Somewear Labs Global Hotspot Review

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Somewear Global Hotspot

Empowering the modern soldier with cutting-edge technology

Military Tech

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Somewear Labs, founded in 2017 by former Tesla, Apple and Intuit engineers, develops satellite communication technology for use in remote areas without cellular coverage. The company's flagship product is the Somewear Global Hotspot, a pocket-sized satellite communication device that pairs with a smartphone to enable messaging, location tracking, weather reports, and SOS functionality anywhere in the world. The Global Hotspot utilizes the Iridium satellite network to provide 100% global coverage.
Somewear's software platform and hardware are designed to maintain situational awareness during high-pressure operations in challenging environments. The Global Hotspot weighs just four ounces and is waterproof and impact-resistant. It can send over 1000 messages on a single charge and offers up to 10 days of battery life with tracking enabled. In May 2023, Somewear introduced a new product called Node, which combines mesh radio and satellite capabilities for team communications in diverse field conditions.
The company's technology has found applications across various sectors, including outdoor recreation, defense, public safety, and commercial operations. Somewear's devices and services have been used by wildland firefighters, helicopter paramedics, and operators within the US Department of Defense. For example, the company's technology recently helped firefighters stay connected while battling the Oak Fire in California.

Hermeus is an Atlanta-based aerospace company focused on developing hypersonic aircraft for both military and commercial applications. The company's primary goal is to create reusable aircraft capable of reaching speeds of Mach 5 (over 3,000 miles per hour) or higher. Hermeus' technology is centered around its proprietary Chimera engine, a turbine-based combined cycle (TBCC) engine that integrates a turbojet for low-speed flight and a ramjet for high-speed operations. This innovative propulsion system allows for seamless transition between different speed ranges, enabling aircraft to take off from standard runways, reach hypersonic speeds, and land conventionally.
The company is currently developing a series of unmanned aircraft prototypes called Quarterhorse to demonstrate and refine its hypersonic technology. In March 2024, Hermeus unveiled its first flyable aircraft, the Quarterhorse Mk 1, which is expected to undergo flight tests at Edwards Air Force Base later in the year. This prototype is powered by a General Electric J85 engine and is designed to test high-speed takeoffs and landings. The company plans to progress through iterations, with the Quarterhorse Mk 2 aimed at achieving supersonic flight in 2025 using a modified Pratt & Whitney F100 engine.
Hermeus' long-term vision includes developing two primary aircraft: Darkhorse, an unmanned hypersonic vehicle for defense applications, and Halcyon, a commercial passenger aircraft capable of flying from New York to London in 90 minutes. The company's approach focuses on iterative development and cost-effective manufacturing, including the use of 3D printing for some components.

Hermeus

Epirus is a high-growth technology company founded in 2018 that develops directed energy systems and power management solutions. The company's flagship product is Leonidas, a counter-electronics system that uses high-power microwave (HPM) technology to neutralize drone threats. Leonidas utilizes solid-state, software-defined technology enabled by Epirus' proprietary SmartPower platform. This allows the system to be smaller, more precise, and safer than traditional HPM systems. Leonidas can fit in the back of a pickup truck and has demonstrated the ability to counter swarming drones and execute precision strikes at range.
In addition to Leonidas, Epirus introduced a smaller, more portable version called Leonidas Pod in February 2022. Both systems can work together to create a layered defense network against incoming threats. The company's products are powered by its SmartPower technology platform, which uses machine learning and artificial intelligence to gate energy at the nanosecond level, increasing efficiency and maximizing output.
Epirus has rapidly scaled its operations since founding. As of February 2022, the company had around 200 employees, with about 150 working at its 100,000-square-foot headquarters in Torrance, California. In January 2023, Epirus was awarded a USD 66.1 million contract from the US Army's Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office to deliver prototype Leonidas systems.
Key customers and partnerships
Epirus has established partnerships with several defense organizations. In October 2021, the company announced an agreement to partner with General Dynamics Land Systems to have its Leonidas system mounted on General Dynamics' Stryker combat vehicles.
In April 2024, Epirus announced that its Leonidas technology would be tested against small vessels in the US Navy's 2024 Advanced Naval Technology Exercise-Coastal Trident (ANTX-CT24). This trial will examine how high-power microwaves can disable outboard motors and other maritime applications, expanding the potential use cases for Epirus' technology beyond counter-drone operations.

Epirus

Centimani develops lightweight, unpowered exoskeleton arms to enhance soldier performance on the battlefield. The company's technology aims to maximize soldier survivability and lethality by redistributing the weight of heavy equipment from arms and shoulders to the trunk. This innovative solution allows soldiers to operate heavy machines for extended periods with increased precision and safety, while maintaining freedom of movement. The exoskeleton also offers the additional benefit of reducing shot recoil when operating heavy weapons. By addressing the challenge of soldiers carrying heavy equipment, including weapons, Centimani's technology helps improve endurance levels and overall combat effectiveness.

Centimani

Blue Origin, founded by Jeff Bezos in 2000, is a private American aerospace company headquartered in Kent, Washington. The company's mission is to enable millions of people to live and work in space for the benefit of Earth. Blue Origin develops reusable launch vehicles and in-space systems to lower the cost of access to space and increase reliability. Its key products include the New Shepard suborbital vehicle and the New Glenn orbital launch vehicle.
The New Shepard, named after Alan Shepard, is a fully reusable vertical takeoff and landing space vehicle designed for suborbital space tourism flights. It consists of a pressurized crew capsule and a propulsion module powered by Blue Origin's BE-3 engine. As of July 2021, New Shepard had carried out 22 successful consecutive missions, including three escape tests. The vehicle is controlled entirely by onboard computers without ground control or a human pilot.
Blue Origin is also developing the New Glenn, a 95-meter tall orbital launch vehicle named after John Glenn. The two-stage rocket is designed to be reusable and will have a larger lift capacity than many existing commercial rockets. New Glenn's first stage will be powered by seven BE-4 engines and is expected to land vertically on a ship at sea, similar to SpaceX's Falcon 9 boosters. The company is targeting its first orbital test launch of New Glenn for 2024.
In addition to launch vehicles, Blue Origin is working on other space technologies. These include the Blue Moon lunar lander, designed to deliver payloads to the Moon's surface, and Project Jarvis, a fully reusable upper stage. The company is also developing Orbital Reef, a commercial space station project.
Key customers and partnerships
Blue Origin has secured several customers for its New Glenn launch vehicle, including Eutelsat, SKY Perfect JSAT, and mu Space Corp. The company is also part of NASA's Artemis program, having been awarded a contract in April 2020 to develop an integrated human landing system for returning humans to the Moon.
In June 2024, Blue Origin was selected by the US Space Force, along with other providers, to compete for small satellite launch missions under the Orbital Services Program-4 (OSP-4) contract. This selection allows Blue Origin to bid on national security space launch contracts, expanding its potential customer base beyond commercial and civil space sectors.
Blue Origin has also formed partnerships with established aerospace companies. In 2014, it entered into a partnership with United Launch Alliance (ULA) to produce the BE-4 engine for ULA's Vulcan rocket. Additionally, for its lunar lander project, Blue Origin leads the "National Team," which includes Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, and Draper.

Blue Origin

<div>
 
 Rocket Lab is a space company that builds rockets and spacecraft that make it easier to get into orbit and do amazing things there. Rocket Lab provides end-to-end mission services that provide frequent and reliable access to space for civil, defence, and commercial markets. 
 
 
 Rocket Lab designs and manufactures the Electron launch vehicle and Photonsatellite platform and is developing the Neutron launch vehicle. Since its first orbital launch in January 2018, Rocket Lab&rsquo;s Electron launch vehicle has become the second most frequently launched U.S. rocket annually and has delivered 105 satellites to orbit for private and public sector organizations, enabling operations in national security, scientific research, space debris mitigation, Earth observation, climate monitoring, and communications. 
 
 
 Rocket Lab has two launch sites, including a private orbital launch site located in New Zealand and a second launch site in Virginia, USA, expected to be operational by the end of 2021. Rocket Lab&rsquo;s Photon spacecraft platform has been selected to support NASA missions to the Moon and Mars, as well as the first private commercial mission to Venus.
 
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Rocket Lab

Robotics and semi/fully autonomous ground, aerial, and marine vehicles that can be used for military applications, such as surveying, logistics, reconnaissance, and combat.

Developers of sophisticated and advanced defense equipment to counter emerging threats. These solutions include hypersonic flights, directed energy systems, and space militarization.

The use of AI technologies, data analytics, networks of sensors, wearables, and IoT devices in military applications to enhance military capabilities.

The use of simulation technologies such as VR and AR to construct STEs for combat training and mission rehearsals.

Internet of Military Things (IoMT) uses sensors, wearables, and IoT devices in military applications

Use of simulation technologies such as VR/AR for combat training and mission rehearsals

Robotics that can be used for military applications, such as surveying, logistics, reconnaissance, and combat

Somewear Labs

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