25 Cutting Edge Firms Funded By the CIA

The company 3VR Inc develops software enabling organizations to mine data from video.In-Q-Tel first invested in the company in 2005. 3VR works with leading banks, governments, law enforcement and retailers at the moment.

They also own CrimeDex, which is basically the place where loss prevention and law enforcement professionals hang out online.

Of course the CIA invested in this company. They make pens with gadgets hidden in them.

Adaptx first received In-Q-Tel funding in 2008. They design special digital pens that expedite data entry. For instance, handwritten markup on maps would be automatically integrated into the CIA’s system. Field journal notes can be automatically backed up digitally. That data can be sent over a cellphone connection.

This is on of many gadget companies the CIA has bought into.

The CIA is obviously extremely interested in what is going on in the rest of the world.

They are one of the largest employers of talented linguists, but that gets very expensive. So it’s no surprised they’re interested in Basis Technology, which provides software for text analytics in over twenty languages.

They work primarily in applied natural language processing, deriving meaning from the ways people actually use language. In-Q-Tel has been invested in the firm since 2004.

Biometric identification is an important way to confirm the identity of an individual. For clandestine services, confirming identities is crucial.

Biomatrica works on ways to make DNA, RNA, and proteins have a longer shelf life. Short and long-term storage of this information is important for the CIA.

In-Q-Tel has been invested in Biomatrica since 2011.

The CIA has massive databases of information. Controlling and sustaining these digital archives is just as important for the CIA as it is for technology companies.

Cloudera Enterprises is one of the most cost-effective ways for companies to securely carry out large-scale data analysis and storage.

The group specializes in helping groups use Google, Facebook, and Yahoo! software. In-Q-Tel has been invested in Cloudera since 2010.

Rocket engines are simple: ignite explosives, direct exhaust, liftoff. That’s what happens.

But there are still some issues with that. A rocket can’t be un-ignited. Lighting explosives on fire remains dangerous.

Digital Solid State Propulsion has vastly improved the control of highly energetic combustion using electrical power. Their technology is use in several sectors of missile defense and rocketry, and the CIA is very interested in the results.

In-Q-Tel has been invested in DSSP since 2011.

A botnet is a network of computers that can be coordinated to assault a target by obeying commands from a central hub. Sometimes, computers are added to the botnet after a virus infection.

FireEye specializes in protecting against botnet attacks and also works to combat the malware that brings computers into the network.

Cybersecurity is a major national security issue. In-Q-Tel has been invested in FireEye since 2009.

Why would America’s spy organization need to push out a WiFi signal for years with a small, compact battery?

Who knows!

But still, GainSpan is a very cool company with an even cooler product. They focus on connecting devices to the internet with ultra-low power WiFi. The company sees use for their devices in healthcare, smart energy, automation, and, yes, monitoring.

In-Q-Tel has been invested in GainSpan since March, 2009.

With an unknown number of field agents in a likewise unknown number of countries, it makes sense that the CIA might want a quick, discreet way to get a satellite connection where there isn’t one in an easily deployable manner.

GATR Technologies develops and manufactures inflatable satellite communications terminals. They say that they’re perfect for the first wave of deployments to a country to get something ready on the go and for remote locations,

In-Q-Tel has been invested in the company since 2008.

In-Q-Tel

The CIA’s portfolio is heavily weighted on companies that improve electric efficiency.

Ember Corporation focuses on developing networking systems that simplify wirelessly networking low-power products. They’re focused on smart energy, remote monitoring, and remote control uses of their tech.

In-Q-Tel first invested in Ember in 2005.

In-Q-Tel

The CIA loves the idea of compact, discreet power systems. Infinite Power Solutions is just one of several advanced battery companies that In-Q-Tel has funded, but it’s probably the coolest.

IPS manufactures rechargeable, thin as film batteries that are used in advanced electronics. They can power RFID cards, medical devices, and aerospace products.

In-Q-Tel first invested in Infinite Power Solutions in 2006