An accelerator for founders building America’s next era of critical technologies

Black Flag is a virtual, rolling accelerator that provides capital and hands-on support tailored to founders building the future of aerospace, biology, defense, energy, robotics and more.
Selected Companies receive
$250k - $1M Investment
Access to Top Mentors
Go-To-Market Acceleration
Access to Non-Dilutive Funding
Branding + Design
And more...
Apply Now
Next Batch closes in...
24
days
14
hrs
45
mins
21
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From Harpoon Ventures  //  In Collaboration with Shield Capital and IQT

Surrounding you with unmatched access to the premier critical technology partners across the government

Our deep relationships across top government agencies and technology partners is an elite advantage that we pass along to you.

How It Works

HOW

Apply
We accept apps every month
We accept companies across all industries building technology critical to national abundance.
Selection
Top companies are selected
Our selection process is rigorous, allowing us to work deeply with each company we select.
LFG
We invest $250k - $1M and get to work
We'll work hand-in-hand across every phase of your business. More on this below.
Access
Get in front of top venture funds
Simultaneously have your application shared with Shield Capital and In-Q-Tel.

What You Get

WHAT

Capital

$250k - $1M

We'll work with you on terms that best fit your company goals.
Government Funding

We give hands on guidance and access to top government funding programs.

We'll provide insight on capture and proposal strategies to help unlock non-dilutive funding opportunities.
Programs include...
Defense Innovation Unit (DIU)
AFWERX
NavalX
Army Applications Laboratory (AAL)
SOFWERX
xTech
DARPA
SpaceWERX
Mentors

Direct access to premier founders on the front lines of innovation. Like you.

mentors include...
John Gedmark
CEO, Astranis
AJ Piplica
CEO, Hermeus
Gill Verdon
CEO, Extropic
Aaron Slodov
CEO, Atomic Industries
Nini Hamrick
Cofounder & President, Vannevar Labs
H.R. McMaster
U.S. Army Veteran; U.S. National Security Advisor
Dan Magy
CEO, Firestorm Labs
View all the mentors
Customers

Our relationships with premier branches of the military are simply unmatched.

We know how to sell directly to all the big players, and will work with you to best position yourself throughout this process.

Meet your Mentors

Mentors

Richard Clarke
Former USSOCOM Commander
Eric Landau
CEO, Encord
Ulrik Stig Hansen
Co-founder, Encord
Aaron Slodov
CEO, Atomic Industries
Jude Gomila
Investor
Ryan Noon
Chairman, Material Security
Will Roper
CEO, Istari
H.R. McMaster
U.S. Army Veteran; U.S. National Security Advisor

Your Tactical Advantage

Giving you access to top mentors across a wide range of industries

Mentors

Andy Yakulis
CEO, Vector Defense
Founder
Gill Verdon
CEO, Extropic
Tyler Sweatt
CEO, Second Front
Aaron Slodov
CEO, Atomic Industries
Yaron Singer
CEO, Robust Intelligence
Founder
Will Roper
CEO, Istari
AJ Piplica
CEO, Hermeus
Ryan Noon
Chairman, Material Security
H.R. McMaster
U.S. Army Veteran; U.S. National Security Advisor
George Matus
CTO, Vector Defense
Dan Magy
CEO, Firestorm Labs
Founder
Matt Loszak
CEO, Aalo Atomics
Founder
Eric Landau
CEO, Encord
Daniel Jablonsky
CEO, Ursa Major
Founder
Sean Hunt
CTO, Solugen
Scott Howell
Former JSOC Commander
Mentor
View all Mentors
What We Look For

The next generation of founders across multiple industries.

We invest early

Whether you're just tinkering on an idea, or already have a product in market, we're ready to take you to the next level through unmatched government access, support and resources.

We believe national security benefits from support across all sectors of innovation.

If you're innovating in these AREAS, please apply
Defense
Energy
Robotics
AI
Manufacturing
Health + Bio
Cybersecurity
Harpoon Ventures

Black Flag is an accelerator from Harpoon Ventures

Harpoon Ventures is an early-stage venture capital firm with a deep commitment to supporting the next generation of groundbreaking technology.
When you're accepted to the Black Flag program, you'll receive direct investment from Harpoon Ventures and work hand-in-hand with the team to achieve your next milestones.
Learn more about Harpoon Ventures
collaboration

When you apply to Black Flag, your submission is simultaneously shared and reviewed by Shield Capital and In-Q-Tel.

hOW IT WORkS
1
Apply to Black Flag
2
Your submission is shared with Shield Capital
and In-Q-Tel
3
If there's interest, they will reach out directly
Read more in the FAQs below
More from Shield Capital
More from In-Q-Tel
Additional Benefits

We partnered with Palantir to provide free credits for Black Flag companies to build on their AIP and Foundry platforms.

More about AIP
More about Foundry
FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Have any additional questions? Email us at crew@blackflag.vc
Is Black Flag an accelerator? Or...
Do I need to be a "defense tech" startup to apply?
What stage of companies are you looking for?
$250k - $1M million investment? What are the terms? Who does that investment come from?
How involved are the mentors listed with the program?
What's the association with Black Flag and Harpoon Ventures?
How are Shield Capital and In-Q-Tel involved with Black Flag?
I didn't make the cut this month... Can I apply again?
How long does the program last?
Is Black Flag in-person or virtual?
What is Palantir's AIP and Foundry?
In the time of pirates, a black flag was a signal to other ships that surrender was not an option. That you were prepared to fight until the end.
Today the future belongs to the same bold and unyielding pirates.  Rebels ready to take the helm and usher in a new era of acceleration, abundance and national security.
We need them now more than ever.
That’s why we’re here. We’re your tactical advantage. We’re your acceleration.
We're Black Flag. And we’re waiting for you.
Apply Now
Next Batch closes in...
24
days
14
hrs
45
mins
21
secs