IQT
IQT (In-Q-Tel) is a not-for-profit global investment platform, founded in 1999, that identifies and invests in frontier-technology startups and adapts their technologies for transfer to U.S. intelligence and national security agencies including the CIA, NSA, FBI, and DIA.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1999
- HeadquartersArlington, United States
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What IQT does
IQT (In-Q-Tel, Inc.) is a not-for-profit strategic investment platform founded in 1999 and headquartered in Arlington, Virginia. The organization identifies, invests in, and adapts frontier technologies developed by startups worldwide to serve the mission needs of the U.S. intelligence community and national security agencies. It does not sell products or services; instead, its operating model is structured around three activities — identifying startups led by visionary founders developing game-changing innovations across strategic technology domains, evaluating how those innovations map to current and future government mission needs, and leveraging deep in-house technical expertise to adapt and transfer cutting-edge technologies for maximum mission impact. Investment returns are reinvested into the mission rather than distributed.
IQT's investment focus spans multiple frontier technology domains, including artificial intelligence, space systems, biotechnology, microelectronics, energy, and quantum computing. The organization operates as a global platform with investments across more than 35 U.S. states and 20+ countries, and has made over 800 investments in total, including 50+ portfolio companies now valued at over $1 billion. Its primary government counterparties include the CIA, NGA, FBI, DIA, NSA, NRO, DHS (and CBP), U.S. Cyber Command, U.S. Space Force, U.S. Space Command, U.S. Central Command, the U.K. and Australian national intelligence communities, and — most recently — U.S. Army, Department of Energy NNSA, Department of the Navy, and the Office of Strategic Intelligence & Analysis. The customer base is therefore exclusively public-sector and national-security-focused.
IQT has no proprietary technology product, no public pricing model, and no external API or SDK. Its "platform" is the combination of its sourcing network, its in-house technical evaluation bench (organized across practice areas such as wireless/6G, bioconvergence, nuclear, batteries, critical minerals, and AI), and its privileged technology-transfer channel into government mission partners. Recent deal cadence (25+ portfolio additions in 2025-2026 alone, spanning AI, cybersecurity, quantum, fusion energy, orbital compute, and biotech) signals significant capital deployment velocity, and the organization maintains board or advisory influence in select strategic assets such as Prometheus Hyperscale and Emerald AI. The organization is privately held, does not disclose financials, and operates with 101-250 employees.
IQT firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- IQT
- Legal name
- In-Q-Tel, Inc.
- Website
- https://iqt.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1999
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- IQT (In-Q-Tel) is a not-for-profit global investment platform, founded in 1999, that identifies and invests in frontier-technology startups and adapts their technologies for transfer to U.S. intelligence and national security agencies including the CIA, NSA, FBI, and DIA.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
IQT industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Strategic Investment and Technology Transfer Services
- NAICS
- Computer Training (611420)
- SIC
- Investment Advice (6282)
- akta.pro primary industry
- AI/ML Engineering & Model Development Services (BPAEAHAF)
Keywords
Where IQT is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Arlington
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
IQT business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Strategic Investment Returns: As a not-for-profit organization, IQT generates returns on its investments in startups which are plowed back into its mission. IQT invests capital on behalf of U.S. intelligence and national security agencies, identifying and evaluating startups developing technologies that serve government mission needs.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels5 records
IQT product offering
Product offeringCore offering
IQT operates a not-for-profit global investment platform that identifies startups developing game-changing frontier technologies, evaluates how those technologies can serve the mission needs of U.S. intelligence and national security agencies, and leverages in-house expertise to adapt and transfer the technologies to government partners. Its core activities are startup investment and technology transfer facilitation across AI, space, biotechnology, microelectronics, energy, and quantum computing domains.
Product overview
IQT (In-Q-Tel) is a not-for-profit strategic investment firm that identifies, evaluates, and invests in startups developing transformative technologies to enhance the national security of the United States and its allies. Rather than offering a single unified product or platform, IQT operates an investment platform that connects innovative technology companies with government mission partners including the CIA, FBI, NSA, NGA, DIA, DHS, and other agencies. IQT's investment focus spans multiple technology domains including artificial intelligence, microelectronics, quantum computing, space systems, biotechnology, and energy. The organization leverages deep in-house expertise to adapt and transfer cutting-edge technologies for maximum mission impact. IQT has made over 800 investments across 35+ U.S. states and 20+ countries, with more than 50 portfolio companies valued over $1 billion. The company's model involves identifying startups led by visionary founders, evaluating how innovations can serve government mission needs, and leveraging expertise to facilitate technology transfer.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- IQT Strategic Investment Platform Not-for-profit global investment platform that identifies, evaluates, invests in, and transfers frontier technologies from startups to U.S. intelligence and national security agencies. The platform covers AI, space, biotechnology, microelectronics, energy, and quantum computing with 800+ investments across 35+ U.S. states and 20+ countries.
Quantifiable outcome
- 800+ portfolio technologies transitioned to government partners
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use IQT
Customer profileNamed customers18 records
Segments1 record
Ideal customer profiles2 records
IQT technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
IQT partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
IQT competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Shield Capital: Specialist defense and intelligence-focused venture firm investing in national-security-relevant startups. Closest commercial analog to IQT, often co-investing in the same founders (e.g., Ent Security, Armadin).
- Lux Capital: Deep-tech and defense-adjacent venture firm with strong roots in national-security investing and frontier science — directly comparable to IQT on dual-use, science-driven theses.
- DCVC (Data Collective): Deep-tech venture firm focused on data, AI, space, and advanced materials — comparable to IQT on early-stage frontier-tech sourcing and dual-use applicability.
- 8VC: Multi-stage technology investor with explicit focus on defense, logistics, and biotech; participates in IQT's cybersecurity and frontier rounds (e.g., Armadin).
- Founders Fund: Thiel-affiliated VC with a long-standing defense-tech mandate (Palantir, Anduril-adjacent theses) and portfolio overlap with IQT in national-security-adjacent software and hardware bets.
- DataTribe: Cyber-focused venture studio co-located near U.S. intelligence agencies; comparable to IQT on mission-driven, government-anchored cybersecurity deal flow and talent access.
- Seraphim Capital: Specialist space-tech and defense-tech VC running a dedicated dual-use fund; explicitly identified alongside IQT as a peer in the defense-investing ecosystem.
Broad incumbents
- Breakthrough Energy Ventures: Large deep-tech fund focused on climate, energy, and frontier science; co-leads large rounds with IQT in energy-storage and quantum-adjacent startups (Sygaldry, Factorial, Moment Energy).
- Khosla Ventures: Large deep-tech VC leading major rounds in IQT's portfolio companies (Hermeus, Science Corporation) across frontier categories like fusion, biotech, and aerospace.
- Andreessen Horowitz (a16z): Large generalist VC with an explicit 'American Dynamism' defense-and-frontier-tech thesis, frequently co-investing with IQT in companies such as Starcloud and broader dual-use frontier categories.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
IQT social profiles
Digital presenceIQT financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
IQT leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles26 records
IQT funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
IQT M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments418 records
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about IQT
What does IQT do?
IQT operates a not-for-profit global investment platform that identifies startups developing game-changing frontier technologies, evaluates how those technologies can serve the mission needs of U.S. intelligence and national security agencies, and leverages in-house expertise to adapt and transfer the technologies to government partners. Its core activities are startup investment and technology transfer facilitation across AI, space, biotechnology, microelectronics, energy, and quantum computing domains.
Is IQT a public or private company?
IQT is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was IQT founded?
IQT was founded in 1999. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is IQT based?
IQT is headquartered in Arlington, United States, in the North America region.
How does IQT make money?
One revenue line is on record: strategic Investment Returns.
Who are IQT's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Shield Capital, Lux Capital, DCVC (Data Collective), 8VC, Founders Fund, DataTribe and Seraphim Capital. Broad incumbents are Breakthrough Energy Ventures, Khosla Ventures and Andreessen Horowitz (a16z).
Does IQT have an API?
No public API is recorded for IQT.
What industry is IQT in?
IQT's product category is Strategic Investment and Technology Transfer Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAEAHAF, AI/ML Engineering & Model Development Services. Its NAICS code is 611420 and its SIC code is 6282.