Chariot Defense: Powering the Energy Revolution for Modern Warfare
Right now, the U.S. military is deploying some of the most sophisticated technology ever conceived. Autonomous drone swarms that can coordinate attacks across vast distances. AI-driven command centers processing battlefield intelligence in real-time. Directed energy weapons that can disable enemy systems with pinpoint precision. Electronic warfare platforms that can jam or hijack enemy communications.
There's just one problem: we're powering all of this cutting-edge technology with diesel generators and heavy battery packs that wouldn't look out of place in a 1980s motor pool.
This is the fundamental contradiction at the heart of military modernization. While billions are being invested in next-generation weapons systems, the energy infrastructure supporting them remains stubbornly archaic. Noisy generators that broadcast your position to the enemy. Heavy battery systems that limit mobility and operational tempo. Fuel-hungry equipment that creates massive logistical vulnerabilities in contested environments.
The problem isn't just inefficiency—it's existential. Today's warfighter carries encrypted communications, night vision, GPS units, drone controllers, sensors, and AI-powered battlefield tools that all need reliable power for extended operations without compromising position. Modern warfare demands distributed operations where small units operate independently across vast areas, but legacy power solutions simply weren't designed for this.
Chariot Leads the Category
When we first met Adam Warmoth and the Chariot Defense team, they weren't just talking about building better batteries or quieter generators. They were talking about reimagining battlefield energy from the ground up. This is exactly the kind of fundamental infrastructure challenge that gets us excited here at XYZ.
Chariot's Amphora platform represents a completely new approach to tactical power. Instead of adapting civilian energy solutions for military use, they've designed intelligent energy systems specifically for the demands of current and future warfare. Silent operation that won't compromise position. Modular design that adapts to mission requirements. Smart power management that learns, allocates, and optimizes based on operational patterns.
But what really caught our attention was the team's understanding that this isn't just a product opportunity—it's a platform opportunity. Every advanced military system being developed today, from autonomous vehicles to electronic warfare platforms to directed energy weapons, will need sophisticated power management. Chariot isn't just solving today's energy problems; they're building the foundation that will enable the next generation of military capabilities.
Adam brings a rare blend of experience for tackling this challenge—spanning Anduril's military access and Uber's platform thinking. The founding team combines deep technical expertise with an operator's understanding of how power systems actually get used in the field, having spent time with the soldiers, Marines, and special operations forces who depend on these systems. This insight drove Chariot to move from concept to fielded systems in under six months while traditional defense contractors are still writing requirements documents.
One thing that made this investment particularly special was how many people in our network helped us understand the critical importance of Chariot's technology and the exceptional caliber of the team. The depth of our conviction wasn't built in isolation—it came through meaningful conversations with trusted experts across defense and energy. Gokul Subramanian at Anduril, who first connected us with Adam, Scott Sanders at Forterra (who joined us for an illuminating happy hour discussion), JeanClude on our team, and many more from our defense circle all provided invaluable insights that reinforced our thesis. This collaborative approach to sourcing and vetting through our network not only strengthened our investment decision but also spreaks to the value we’re able to bring to founders beyond just capital.
Meeting the Moment
Several trends are converging to make this the perfect time for Chariot's approach. The DoD is actively prioritizing energy resilience in its modernization plans. The commercial energy sector has reached a maturity point where advanced power management technologies can actually be adapted for military use. And the nature of modern conflict is evolving in ways that make traditional power solutions increasingly inadequate.
We're seeing this across our defense portfolio. Companies like Anduril and Forterra are building autonomous systems that need reliable, distributed power. The entire defense ecosystem is becoming more electronic, more distributed, and more power-hungry. Chariot isn't just riding this wave—they're helping to create it.
Building the Energy Prime for Modern Warfare
What gets us most excited about Chariot is their ambition to become more than just another defense contractor. They're positioning themselves to become the energy prime contractor that the entire defense ecosystem depends on. Think about how critical companies like Lockheed Martin or Raytheon are to defense systems today—Chariot has the opportunity to play that same foundational role for the energy infrastructure that powers modern warfare.
We're thrilled to co-lead Chariot Defense's $8 million seed round alongside General Catalyst, supporting Adam and his team as they build the energy backbone for the future of warfare. By solving the fundamental power infrastructure challenge, Chariot isn't just building a company—they're removing the key constraint that's been holding back the next generation of defense innovation.
Pretty exciting.
