Darkhive closes $30 million Series B led by RTX Ventures

By AI, Created 10:52 AM UTC, May 20, 2026, /AGP/ – Darkhive has raised a $30 million Series B led by RTX Ventures as the San Antonio defense technology company ramps production and delivery after winning a $49.7 million Pentagon APFIT award in March. The new funding underscores growing demand for software-defined military systems and comes as Darkhive expands work with the Defense Department.

Why it matters: - Darkhive is getting fresh capital to speed up production and delivery of defense products. - The funding also supports broader innovation work with the Pentagon. - The raise follows a record APFIT award, giving Darkhive both private capital and government momentum.

What happened: - Darkhive announced the close of its Series B funding round on May 7, 2026. - RTX Ventures, the venture capital arm of RTX, led the round. - New investors Draper Associates and Bison Capital joined the round. - Existing backers 1011 Ventures, Crosslink Capital, Alamo Angels and Stellar Ventures also participated. - Darkhive is a veteran-led aerospace and defense technology company based in San Antonio.

The details: - The Series B totaled $30 million. - Darkhive said the money will accelerate production and delivery of its products to customers. - The company also plans to expand resources for innovation in collaboration with the Pentagon. - CEO John Goodson said Darkhive’s mission is to equip military personnel on the front lines with advanced capabilities. - Goodson said the round shows the company has grown from an emerging startup into a reliable defense partner. - RTX Ventures Managing Director Dan Ateya said the funding will help mature Darkhive’s core hardware and software products. - Ateya said those products are being developed for integration into operationally validated systems and new programs of record. - Darkhive’s portfolio includes programs with the U.S. Air Force, the Undersecretary of War for Research and Engineering, the Defense Innovation Unit and the Air Force Research Laboratory. - Darkhive develops software-defined hardware built for fast adaptation and scalable production. - The company was founded by U.S. Special Operations veterans.

Between the lines: - The funding suggests investors see defense tech with dual appeal: commercial scale-up potential and direct Pentagon relevance. - Darkhive’s emphasis on software-defined systems fits the military’s push for faster upgrades and shorter acquisition cycles. - The combination of a venture round and a large government contract can strengthen a startup’s credibility with future customers and partners.

What’s next: - Darkhive plans to increase output and delivery speed. - The company is expected to keep working on mission systems for U.S. forces under its APFIT agreement. - Congress created APFIT in 2022 to speed transition of new technologies into operational use and reduce acquisition timelines. - Darkhive will advance software-defined, rapidly adaptable mission systems under that program. - The Pentagon selected Darkhive in March to lead a $49.7 million APFIT program, the largest award in the program’s history.

The bottom line: - Darkhive now has a bigger war chest and a landmark Pentagon contract, positioning the company for faster growth in the defense technology market.