Picogrid
Picogrid builds an open integration platform, Legion, that connects fragmented defense sensors, drones, and command-and-control systems into a unified operational picture for the U.S. Department of Defense and allied militaries, supported by ruggedized Expeditionary C2 Node hardware.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2023
- HeadquartersEl Segundo, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingSoftware
What Picogrid does
Picogrid is a U.S. defense technology company building an open, vendor-neutral integration layer that connects fragmented sensors, autonomous platforms, and command-and-control software into a unified operational picture for the Department of Defense and allied militaries. The company's core product family comprises three components: Legion, an API-first data platform that streams data and tasks sensors across heterogeneous defense systems; Orion, a browser-based command-and-control interface for controlling autonomous systems; and the Expeditionary C2 Node (ECN) hardware line, which includes fixed-site (Lander), man-portable (Helios), and backpack-transportable (Portal) ruggedized edge-compute nodes with AI-compute capability and multi-network failover for austere environments. The Legion platform integrates over 100 defense systems from vendors including Skydio, Northrop Grumman, Echodyne, CX2, Neros, Hoverfly, and Palantir, and is the first dedicated systems integration platform to achieve FedRAMP High authorization. Notable integrations span ATAK, FAAD-C2, Lattice, and Palantir Maven Smart System, with deployed use cases covering base security, satellite operations, integrated air defense, SIGINT interoperability, wildfire intelligence, and human-machine teaming.
Picogrid generates revenue through a mix of defense software subscriptions, ruggedized hardware sales, and government contract vehicles. The company primarily sells through direct enterprise engagement with DoD program offices and military units, leveraging SBIR Phase III authority and IDIQ vehicles such as the $950M Air Force JADC2 contract to convert pilots into multi-year operational deployments. Named customers include XVIII Airborne Corps, 1st Cavalry Division, JIATF-401, U.S. Air Force installations, Vandenberg Space Force Base, the U.S. Space Force R2C2 program, and Joint Innovation Outpost, with deployments operational at over two dozen DoD installations globally. Hardware production takes place at factories in El Segundo, California and Lawton, Oklahoma (FISTA Innovation Park adjacent to Fort Sill), with engineering presence in Kyiv, Ukraine, forward-deployed engineers at Fort Bragg, and government affairs in Washington D.C. The 100+ partner ecosystem functions as a co-sell and integration channel, with dual-use technology vendors routing into Picogrid's established government relationships.
The company has raised approximately $57 million across a $12M seed (March 2024, Initialized Capital-led) and a $45M Series A (May 2026, Bessemer Venture Partners-led), with additional participation from Alumni Ventures, Washington Harbour, GSBackers, Starburst Ventures, Credo Ventures, Giant Step Capital, and others. Co-founders Zane Mountcastle (CEO) and Martin Slosarik (Head of Growth) remain in leadership, joined by retired Army Colonel Tony Lugo as Head of Public Sector. The company is privately held with no public listing.
Picogrid firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Picogrid
- Legal name
- Picogrid, Inc.
- Website
- https://picogrid.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2023
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Picogrid builds an open integration platform, Legion, that connects fragmented defense sensors, drones, and command-and-control systems into a unified operational picture for the U.S. Department of Defense and allied militaries, supported by ruggedized Expeditionary C2 Node hardware.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Picogrid industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Defense Systems Integration Software
- NAICS
- Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing (334511), Computer Systems Design and Related Services (54151)
- SIC
- Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Autonomy Software, AI & Mission Management (UAS/UXV) (IMABAIAH)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- AI Integration & Orchestration Platforms (Connectors, Workflow, iPaaS for AI) (HDAEANAI), Autonomous Defense Systems (AI/ML, Swarming, MUM-T) (IMABAOAI)
Keywords
Where Picogrid is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- El Segundo
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices5 records
Markets served
Picogrid business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Personnel
Revenue model
- Defense Software Platform Licenses and Subscriptions: Legion software platform licensed to military customers for integration of sensors, autonomous systems, and C2 software. Sold through direct contracts with DoD, with pricing based on deployment scale and user count. Revenue recognized through annual licenses and subscriptions.
- Edge Hardware Sales: Sale of Expeditionary C2 Node hardware products (Lander, Helios, Portal) to military customers for field deployment. Hardware enables edge computing, networking, and sensor integration at tactical locations.
- Government Defense Contracts: Revenue from major government contracts including IDIQ (Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity) contracts such as the $950M Air Force JADC2 contract and other program awards. Revenue recognized as work is performed under task orders.
- Professional Services and Integration: Deployment, integration, and support services for military customers including exercise support, system configuration, training, and ongoing technical assistance.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Enterprise Military Deployment |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels4 records
Picogrid product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Picogrid builds an API-first integration platform (Legion) that connects disparate defense sensors, autonomous systems, drones, and command-and-control (C2) software into a unified operational picture. The company complements this software with a browser-based C2 interface (Orion) and a family of ruggedized edge-compute hardware nodes (Expeditionary C2 Nodes, including Lander, Helios, and Portal configurations) that deliver AI compute, multi-network connectivity, and sensor tasking in austere tactical environments.
Product overview
Picogrid offers a platform-plus-modules architecture centered on three core products: Legion (API-first data platform), Orion (browser-based C2 interface), and Expeditionary C2 Nodes hardware (Lander, Helios, Portal). Legion serves as the integration layer connecting sensors, autonomous platforms, and operators; Orion provides the human interface for command and control; and the ECN family provides ruggedized edge compute hardware for field deployment. The platform integrates over 100 defense systems from vendors including Skydio, Northrop Grumman, Echodyne, CX2, and Neros, enabling interoperability across air, ground, maritime, and space domains. Supported by capability solutions for base security, satellite operations, air defense, SIGINT, wildfire intelligence, and human-machine teaming.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Legion: API-first data platform that connects and commands mission assets, streaming data, tasking sensors, and unifying operations across sensors, drones, and C2 interfaces.
- Orion
- Expeditionary C2 Nodes
Products and services
- Legion API-first data platform that connects and commands mission assets, streaming data, tasking sensors, and unifying operations across sensors, drones, autonomous platforms, and C2 systems. Built with end-to-end encryption, zero-trust architecture, and granular access control. Targeted at U.S. Department of Defense, allied militaries, and federal agencies.
- Orion Browser-based command and control interface that enables control of autonomous systems from anywhere with real-time awareness, integrated mission control, and deploy-anywhere connectivity. Built on the Legion platform with end-to-end encryption and zero-trust architecture. Targeted at military operators and mission commanders.
- Expeditionary C2 Nodes (ECN) Family of ruggedized edge compute and networking hardware nodes (Lander for fixed sites, Helios for man-portable, Portal for backpack-transportable) providing AI compute, multi-network connectivity with automated failover across satcom/LTE/5G/mesh radio, and ruggedized enclosures for austere environments. Sells to military and federal customers for field sensor integration and tactical edge processing.
- Lander ECN Fixed-site power, communications, and compute configuration within the Expeditionary C2 Nodes family, designed for stationary missions at permanent military installations.
- Helios ECN Man-portable power, communications, and compute hub within the Expeditionary C2 Nodes family for deployable mission configurations.
- Portal ECN Backpack-transportable edge compute and networking node within the Expeditionary C2 Nodes family, designed for dismounted operations and expeditionary air defense missions.
Quantifiable outcome
- Detects thousands of threats and processes over 3 million data points per day through AI-enabled pipelines
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Picogrid
Customer profileNamed customers9 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Picogrid technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- Yes
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration24 records
AI capability7 records
Feature4 records
Picogrid partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- AndurilcoreContributed autonomous driving software to Army's Operation Jailbreak counter-UAS exercise alongside Picogrid and other defense companies. Demonstrated interoperability between systems from multiple vendors.
- Perennial AutonomycoreIntegration of Perennial Autonomy's Merops Surveyor drone interceptor into Picogrid's expeditionary air defense network. Enables automated detect-to-engage workflows across U.S. and allied air defense systems.
- Hoverfly TechnologiescoreIntegration of Hoverfly Spectre tethered drone with Legion platform for persistent aerial sensing. Demonstrated at Scarlet Dragon exercise providing continuous aerial sensing from 200 feet extending detection time.
- Guardian RFcoreJoint contract to support drone defense operations at Vandenberg Space Force Base. Guardian RF's passive RF sensors integrated into Picogrid's ECN command and control system for real-time airspace awareness and threat detection.
- CX2corePartnership integrates CX2's sensors with Picogrid's Legion platform for enhanced electromagnetic warfare, sensor integration, and situational awareness. Demonstrated during Scarlet Dragon exercise with XVIII Airborne Corps.
- Cameron Universityminor$500,000 partnership for developing military software infrastructure for autonomous battlefield systems. Research conducted at FISTA Innovation Park. Provides hands-on experience for students with defense technology.
- PalantircoreLegion connects tactical edge to Palantir's Maven Smart System. Picogrid partnered with Palantir to complete FedRAMP High authorization process using Palantir's FedStart program.
- Northrop GrummancoreCollaboration for military software modernization. Integration of Picogrid's technology with Northrop Grumman's defense systems for enhanced capabilities.
- SkydiocorePartnership combines Skydio's battle-tested drones with Legion platform for government and commercial users. Demonstrated integrated missions with automatic drone dispatching, collaborative autonomy with multiple unmanned vehicles, and remote fleet control. Tested with U.S. Army and U.S. Special Operations Command.
- EchodynecoreRadar integration with Echodyne's EchoGuard radar enhances Legion platform with high-fidelity radar data for military and commercial threat detection. Used in Northern Strike 2025 and other global defense deployments.
- ZeroEyescoreZ-CAS (ZeroEyes Coastal Alert System) partnership brings AI-based firearm and threat detection integrated with Picogrid's deployable base defense platform. Tested successfully with Air Force and Navy users for maritime threat detection.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights7 records
Picogrid competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Anduril Industries: Anduril builds autonomy, sensors, and command-and-control systems (Lattice) for defense, and is increasingly competing as an integration layer alongside primes. It directly overlaps with Picogrid in counter-UAS, base security, and tactical C2 — and participated with Picogrid in the Army's Operation Jailbreak exercise.
- Palantir Technologies: Palantir's Maven Smart System / Lattice provides AI-driven defense integration and analytics, and is integrated with Legion to connect tactical edge to enterprise intelligence. Both companies target the same federal defense integration buyer (DoD program offices) and competed-cooperated in Army JADC2/R2C2 programs.
- Skydio: Skydio is a core technology partner with Picogrid and a leading tactical drone maker for DoD. The two co-integrated autonomous drone dispatch and collaborative autonomy into Legion, positioning them as both partners and adjacent competitors in the unmanned systems stack.
- Echodyne: Echodyne manufactures high-performance metamaterial radar sensors (EchoGuard) integrated into Legion for threat detection. Comparable as a defense sensor partner that increasingly participates in joint deployments alongside Picogrid across counter-UAS and base security missions.
Emerging players
- Shield AI: Shield AI builds autonomous drones (V-BAT) and AI-pilot software for defense — directly overlapping with Picogrid's autonomous systems and counter-UAS integration work. Both companies are scaling rapidly through DoD programs and are part of the broader defense-autonomy ecosystem.
- Rebellion Defense: Rebellion Defense builds AI software for national security decision-making and operational planning. While more enterprise/intelligence-focused, its products intersect with Picogrid's C2 and mission planning capabilities across DoD and intelligence community use cases.
- Saronic: Saronic builds autonomous surface vessels for the U.S. Navy and partners/integrates via Legion-style platforms. It is comparable as an emerging dual-use defense autonomy company touching integration of autonomous platforms, sensors, and C2.
Regional players
- Helsing: Helsing is a European defense AI and autonomy company serving NATO and allied forces — directly comparable as an allied/coalition-focused defense integration and AI company, though primarily Europe-based rather than U.S. DoD-focused.
Broad incumbents
- Northrop Grumman: Northrop Grumman is a major defense prime with deep C2, sensor, and integration programs. Picogrid is a partner, but Northrop represents the incumbent defense integrator that defense-tech challengers must interoperate with — and at times displace — across DoD enterprise programs.
- RTX (Raytheon): Raytheon/RTX operates across defense systems including counter-UAS, sensors, and C2, and participated alongside Picogrid in the Army's "Right to Integrate" sprint. Comparable as the incumbent defense prime whose stovepiped systems Picogrid's integration layer explicitly seeks to bridge.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Picogrid social profiles
Digital presencePicogrid compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
Picogrid financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Picogrid leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles7 records
Picogrid funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds7 records
Investors11 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Picogrid M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Picogrid
What does Picogrid do?
Picogrid builds an API-first integration platform (Legion) that connects disparate defense sensors, autonomous systems, drones, and command-and-control (C2) software into a unified operational picture. The company complements this software with a browser-based C2 interface (Orion) and a family of ruggedized edge-compute hardware nodes (Expeditionary C2 Nodes, including Lander, Helios, and Portal configurations) that deliver AI compute, multi-network connectivity, and sensor tasking in austere tactical environments.
Is Picogrid a public or private company?
Picogrid is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was Picogrid founded?
Picogrid was founded in 2023. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Picogrid based?
Picogrid is headquartered in El Segundo, United States, in the North America region.
How does Picogrid make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Defense Software Platform Licenses and Subscriptions are the primary driver. The others are edge Hardware Sales, government Defense Contracts and professional Services and Integration.
Who are Picogrid's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Anduril Industries, Palantir Technologies, Skydio and Echodyne. Emerging players are Shield AI, Rebellion Defense and Saronic. Helsing is listed as a regional player. Broad incumbents are Northrop Grumman and RTX (Raytheon).
Does Picogrid have an API?
Yes. Legion is an API-first data platform that connects and commands mission assets, streaming data, tasking sensors, and unifying operations. It provides open, extensible APIs for third-party tools and C2 interfaces including ATAK. The platform enables connecting legacy and modern systems with plug-and-play interfaces, routing mission data and tasks to connected assets in real time. Developer documentation is at docs.picogrid.com.
What industry is Picogrid in?
Picogrid's product category is Defense Systems Integration Software. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMABAIAH, Autonomy Software, AI & Mission Management (UAS/UXV), with a secondary code of HDAEANAI, AI Integration & Orchestration Platforms (Connectors, Workflow, iPaaS for AI). Its NAICS code is 334511 and its SIC code is 3812.