DARPA "Venture Horizons" Request for Information

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is launching "Venture Horizons" in April 2026, an initiative to connect investors with non-adversarial capital to DARPA Program Managers and Research & Development performers. This strategy aims to amplify the impact of DARPA's breakthrough technologies. DARPA, with approximately 220 government employees and nearly 100 Program Managers, oversees over 250 R&D programs across six technical offices: Strategic Technology Office (STO), Tactical Technology Office (TTO), Microsystems Technology Office (MTO), Defense Sciences Office (DSO), Information Innovation Office (I2O), and Biological Technologies Office (BTO). The initiative provides investors with access to DARPA's portfolio and subject matter experts, fostering game-changing outcomes. This Request For Information (RFI) is for planning purposes only and does not constitute a formal solicitation. Further details and submission access are available on sam.gov.

The DARPA Venture Horizons RFI Response Spreadsheet is a comprehensive questionnaire designed to gather information from organizations interested in partnering with DARPA for commercial strategy and investment in defense technology. The document covers various aspects, including organizational details, DARPA office preferences, investment goals, historical performance, domain expertise, unique capabilities, fund information, track record, deal flow, and investor information. Key areas of inquiry include an organization's investment stage preference, experience with DARPA performers, willingness to commit non-adversarial capital, and capacity to mentor performers. The RFI also seeks details on fund size, duration, committed capital, and geographic focus. It emphasizes the importance of a track record in dual-use technology and the ability to certify compliance with non-adversarial capital requirements. The purpose of this RFI is to identify and evaluate potential partners who can support DARPA's mission by investing in and commercializing defense-derived technologies.

DARPA's Venture Horizons Request for Information (RFI), issued on April 2, 2026, seeks to connect top-tier investors with DARPA program managers, R&D performers, and personnel to amplify the impact of breakthrough technologies for national security. The RFI targets family offices, angel investors, venture capital firms, corporate venture capital firms, and private equity/buyout firms with a track record of commercializing technology and an interest in partnering with DARPA. Respondents must detail their investment flexibility, contribution to DARPA's mission, and ability to certify that their capital is not from adversarial sources. The RFI focuses on four key areas: investment goals and capacity, history and domain expertise aligned with DARPA's six technical offices (Microsystems, Strategic, Tactical, Biological, Defense Sciences, and Information Innovation), commitment to service, and unique capabilities. Submissions, limited to 25 pages, are due by June 15, 2026, and must include a spreadsheet and a presentation of capabilities. This RFI is for information and planning purposes only and does not constitute a solicitation for proposals.