Onebrief Secures $50 Million in Series C Funding, Aiming to Revolutionize Military Planning
Onebrief, a Hawaii-based startup developing collaborative software for the Pentagon, has secured $50 million in Series C funding, bringing its total raised to $100 million and valuing the company at $650 million. The round was led by General Catalyst and Insight Partners, with participation from Human Capital, Caffeinated Capital, and 9Yards Capital. This latest investment comes just months after Onebrief’s $30 million Series B round in August 2023, highlighting the growing interest in technological solutions for modernizing national defense.
Onebrief’s software, likened to a military-grade version of Atlassian’s Jira project management suite, addresses the cumbersome and time-consuming process of military planning. Traditionally, military plans were developed on hundreds, sometimes thousands, of PowerPoint slides. Any changes required manual updates across all slides, a process that could take weeks. Onebrief automates this process, allowing for real-time updates across multiple teams and significantly reducing planning time.
The company’s software is already in use across all military networks, up to the top-secret level, and is deployed across all five major Pentagon combatant commands. This widespread adoption underscores the Department of Defense’s increasing reliance on technology to streamline operations and enhance decision-making. Onebrief’s CEO and co-founder, Grant Demaree, a former U.S. Army captain, experienced these inefficiencies firsthand and founded the company in 2019 to address them.
Adding significant weight to Onebrief’s leadership, Chris Miller, former acting Secretary of Defense and co-author of "Project 2025," has joined the company’s board. Miller’s involvement brings valuable insight and connections within the defense establishment. "Project 2025," a conservative blueprint for Trump’s presidential transition, criticized the DoD as a "deeply troubled institution" in need of technological reform. Miller views Onebrief’s software as a crucial step towards streamlining Pentagon decision-making and establishing a common operating system for military planning.
Miller’s presence on the board also strengthens Onebrief’s ties to the Trump administration, a factor that could prove advantageous in securing future government contracts. He acknowledges his active role within defense circles and suggests Onebrief’s potential alignment with Elon Musk’s government efficiency initiative, DOGE. This connection further emphasizes the potential for Onebrief to play a key role in modernizing government operations.
Onebrief’s rapid growth and substantial funding reflect a broader trend of increased investment in defense technology. General Catalyst, a prominent venture capital firm, has been actively building a portfolio of defense-focused startups, including Anduril, Helsing AI, and Vannevar Labs. This surge in investment underscores a growing recognition of the need for innovative technological solutions to address the complex challenges facing the modern military. General Catalyst’s recent bolstering of its D.C. lobbying efforts and involvement in the New American Industrial Alliance further signal the firm’s commitment to shaping the future of defense technology.
Onebrief’s success story highlights the potential for technology to transform even the most entrenched bureaucratic processes. By automating complex planning procedures and streamlining communication, Onebrief is empowering military leaders to make faster, more informed decisions. The company’s rapid growth and the backing of prominent investors suggest a bright future for Onebrief and its mission to modernize national defense. While the company declined to disclose specific revenue figures, Demaree stated that Onebrief, with nearly 150 employees, is "just shy of profitable," indicating a strong financial trajectory. As the demand for innovative defense solutions continues to grow, Onebrief is well-positioned to become a leading player in the field. The company’s focus on user-friendly software and its ability to integrate with existing military networks have been key factors in its early success. With the continued support of investors and the expertise of its leadership team, Onebrief is poised to revolutionize military planning and contribute significantly to national security. The company’s story is a testament to the power of innovation and the growing importance of technology in the defense sector.
