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§ Venture Capital · Washington, DC, USA
Early-stage venture capital firm investing in seed-stage cybersecurity, defense, and data security startups, supporting technical founders.
First In is a United States-based early-stage venture capital firm that invests exclusively in seed-stage cybersecurity, defense technology, and data security startups. The firm focuses on backing technical founders with specialized backgrounds in the military, intelligence, or commercial security sectors who are developing complex solutions for both enterprise and government customers. Operating with government-backed funding alongside traditional limited partner capital, the firm recently closed its SBIC Critical Technologies Fund 3 with a total of $148 million in investable capital. This third investment vehicle raised nearly seven times more capital than the firm's previous efforts, allowing them to provide extensive mentorship and operational support to scaling security technology companies. The firm's growing portfolio of seed-stage investments features several recognizable industry names across the cybersecurity and software landscape, including successful companies such as N-able, Veracode, Forcepoint, and Swimlane.
Key people at First In.
First In is an early-stage investment firm exclusively focused on security technology, backing expert entrepreneurs from commercial, military, and intelligence sectors. It identifies and supports nascent companies developing critical solutions in cybersecurity, defense, and data intelligence, primarily at seed stage. The firm leverages deep operational expertise, investing in unique, protectable technologies.
Renny McPherson, Managing Partner, is a former Marine Corps intelligence officer and co-founder of RedOwl Analytics. Arthur Karell, a former Marine Corps infantry officer, serves as a Partner. The firm’s foundation rests on the belief that security technology is a constant necessity, prioritizing investments in founders with direct experience in critical security challenges.
The firm targets founding teams, often with military or intelligence backgrounds, who develop products for significant commercial and government enterprise clients. First In’s vision is to be the premier early-stage security technology investment firm in the U.S., fostering innovation that maintains freedom and democratic principles globally.
