Loading organizations...
§ Private Profile · Denver, CO, USA
Defense technology company building autonomous manufacturing systems for energetics production, bolstering U.S. and allied defense.
Deterrence is a defense technology company based in Fremont, California, and Washington DC that builds advanced autonomous manufacturing systems to automate the production of energetics, explosives, and propellants for weapon systems. The startup utilizes robotics, machine learning, and proprietary software to create highly scalable production platforms that improve worker safety and manufacturing precision. These hardware and software solutions are specifically designed to bolster the defense supply chain and support the military capabilities of the United States and its allied nations. In December 2024, the organization secured over ten million dollars in seed funding from a syndicate of prominent investors that included Riot Ventures, Definition Capital, and Dmitri Alperovitch. Founded in 2023 by Dhruva Rajendra, Brian Jones, and Henry Olgers, Deterrence has actively recruited engineering and manufacturing talent from major technology firms such as Tesla, Palantir, and Rivian.
Deterrence has raised $10.0M across 1 funding round.
Deterrence has raised $10.0M in total across 1 funding round.
Deterrence has raised $10.0M in total across 1 funding round.
Deterrence's investors include Will Coffield, Afore Capital, Quiet Capital.
Deterrence has raised $10.0M across 1 funding round. Most recently, it raised $10.0M Seed in December 2024.
| Date | Round | Lead Investors | Other Investors | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 1, 2024 | $10M Seed | Will Coffield | Afore Capital, Quiet Capital | Announced |
Deterrence is a Los Angeles-based defense technology company that builds advanced autonomous manufacturing systems for critical energetic components, such as primers, to bolster U.S. defense capabilities and deter global conflict.[1][2][3] It serves the U.S. military and allied countries by automating the production of reliable, safe energetics at scale through a hardware-software platform that controls the entire process from raw materials to finished products, solving supply chain vulnerabilities, hazardous material handling challenges, and quality inconsistencies in traditional manufacturing.[2][3][4] The company recently secured $10.1 million in seed funding in December 2024, signaling strong early momentum in a high-stakes sector tied to national security.[4][5]
Deterrence was founded by Dhruva Rajendra (CEO), Brian Jones (COO), and Henry Olgers (Head of Manufacturing), who bring proven expertise from high-profile tech ventures.[4] Rajendra and Jones are former co-founders of Latch, a smart lock company, while Olgers led 4680 battery cell manufacturing at Tesla; the team is bolstered by engineers from Palantir, AWS Robotics, Rivian, and Rheinmetall, plus veterans and special forces experts.[4] The idea emerged from recognizing the need for a "new paradigm" in energetics production amid defense supply chain fragilities, pivoting from general defense robotics to hyper-focused automation of primers and energetics.[1][4] Early traction came via a $10.1 million seed round closed in December 2024, led by Riot Ventures with participation from Definition Capital, Impatient Ventures, Valhalla Ventures, Banter Capital, and Dmitri Alperovitch, enabling stealth-mode operations to accelerate platform development.[4][5]
Deterrence rides the surging wave of defense tech innovation, fueled by geopolitical tensions and U.S. efforts to onshore critical supply chains for munitions and energetics amid shortages exposed by conflicts like Ukraine.[2][4] Timing is ideal as national security priorities drive billions in funding for autonomous systems, with market forces favoring automation to counter labor shortages, hazardous work risks, and foreign dependencies in a $100B+ global defense manufacturing sector.[3][4] By strengthening responsive ecosystems for primers and energetics, Deterrence influences the landscape, enabling faster tech deployment to warfighters and inspiring similar platforms in allied nations, aligning with "innovation is national security" imperatives.[2][3]
Deterrence is poised to scale its platform rapidly, targeting full production ramps for U.S. and allied defense needs while expanding to adjacent energetics amid rising DoD budgets and AI-robotics convergence.[4][5] Trends like AI-driven manufacturing resilience and great-power competition will propel growth, potentially positioning it as a cornerstone supplier if it delivers on quality and speed promises.[2][4] Its influence could evolve from stealth innovator to ecosystem shaper, deterring conflicts through superior American capabilities—just as its name implies.[3]