Cathedral Raises $160M for AI Military Cyber Platform
Synopsis
The newly launched company plans to use artificial intelligence to strengthen U.S. cyber operations and pursue defence contracts.
Cathedral, a new defense technology company working on AI-powered cyber operations, has raised $160 million in a funding round that valued the business at $1.4 billion, people familiar with the deal said.
The round was led by Andreessen Horowitz and Sequoia Capital, with both firms gaining board seats.
Founded by former members of the U.S. Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) including Gavin Kliger, Luke Farritor, Marko Elez and Jack Stein earlier this year, Cathedral aims to create an AI software that will support offensive military cyber operations and defense operations for the U.S.Government agencies.
They also are considering securing their own computing power, perhaps by purchasing a data center or entering commercial partnerships.
Investment continues to flow into the defense tech sector at a robust clip. In parallel, AI cybersecurity startup Dream has already raised $260m on a $3bn valuation, while defense tech company Anduril is reportedly in discussions for a funding round that may value the company between $30.5 billion and $31.5 billion.
In 2025, global military expenditure rose to $2.89 trillion, a 9.4% increase from 2024 in real terms and the largest figure ever recorded by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), as stated in the SIPRI report. The U.S. Leads globally in defense spending, followed by China, Russia, Germany, and India.
Founders Bring Government Experience
Founders Have Government Backgrounds Former founders of Cathedral have diverse backgrounds, spanning the Pentagon, U.S. Treasury Department, General Services Administration, and SpaceX. Gavin Kliger most recently served as the chief data officer at the Pentagon.
Both Andreessen Horowitz and Sequoia Capital declined to comment. Information regarding the firm's valuation, strategy and Marko Elez's previous background had not been previously released.
Source: Reuters
Pooja Malik is a business journalist with over six years of experience covering startups, entrepreneurship, and emerging trends. She has previously worked with leading media platforms such as YourStory Media and BW BusinessWorld, where she reported on business, policy, and market developments. Currently, she serves as Editor at The Inspirepreneur Magazine, where she writes and edits stories across business, lifestyle, and travel, with a focus on clarity, accuracy, and reader relevance.
