Blu Venture Investors

Blu Venture Investors, LLC is a venture capital and private equity firm based in Vienna, Virginia, established in 2010. The firm specializes in seed and early-stage investments, focusing on technology companies across various sectors, including software, cybersecurity, healthcare technology, and digital media. It actively seeks opportunities in disruptive technologies related to materials, chemicals, and biological sciences, as well as solutions for the defense and intelligence communities. Blu Venture Investors typically invests between $0.05 million and $3 million in each funding round and often collaborates with other investment groups for larger financings. The firm prefers to acquire majority stakes and is involved in governance by taking board seats and providing mentorship, leveraging the extensive experience of its investors, who are seasoned executives from diverse industries. Its investment activities primarily target the mid-Atlantic region, including Maryland, Virginia, Washington D.C., and North Carolina.

Bikram Bakshi

Partner, Member of Cyber Investment and Cyber Fund Investment Committees

Keith Bozeman

Partner

Steven Chen

Principal

Benjamin Ebenezer

Managing Principal

Bill Fields

Venture Partner

Deb Fitzgerald

Partner

Matt Hanson

Principal

Donya He

Partner

Howard Horowitz

Venture Partner

Pradeep Kaul

Partner

Sassan Kimiavi

Partner and Innovations Investment Committee Member

Pawan Malhotra

Partner and Member of Executive Committee, Cyber Fund Investment Committee and Innovations Investment Committee

PK Malhotra

Principal

Josh Miller

Senior Associate

Joshua Miller

Associate

Kim Nguyen

Partner and Member of Innovations Investment Committee

Theodore Olsen

Venture Partner

Hal Shelton

Principal

Robert J. Struble

Partner and Cyber Fund Investment Committee Member

Bob Struble

Principal

Tarun Upadhyay

Partner and Member of Cyber Investment Committee

J.S. Gamble

Co-Founder, Managing Partner and Executive Committee and the Cyber Fund Administrative Committee Member

Past deals in Virginia

Pearl

Venture Round in 2022
Trilogy Mentors, LLC, operating as Trilogy Mentors.com, is a mentorship company based in Richmond, Virginia, founded in 2015. It provides tutoring and mentoring services through a software-as-a-service platform that facilitates online learning. The platform connects families and parents with local university students, offering academic tutoring and athletic training tailored to help children achieve their educational and personal goals. Trilogy Mentors aims to empower students during critical moments, transforming challenges into academic successes through personalized learning solutions designed to accommodate diverse backgrounds. The company has also established a strategic partnership with Tuscany Strategy Consulting to enhance its offerings.

Ostendio

Series A in 2021
Ostendio, Inc. specializes in healthcare information security and risk management solutions tailored for healthcare organizations and medical device manufacturers. The company's flagship product, MyVirtualComplianceManager (MyVCM), is a cloud-based platform designed to streamline the development, management, and demonstration of information security frameworks. MyVCM adopts a unique bottom-up approach, engaging all employees in the security and compliance processes, while providing a comprehensive view of an organization’s cybersecurity program. This allows clients to effectively report their security posture to stakeholders. In addition to MyVCM, Ostendio offers services such as performance testing, quality management support, cybersecurity training, and risk assessment program development. Founded in 2013 and headquartered in Arlington, Virginia, Ostendio serves a diverse clientele across North America, Europe, the Middle East, and Australia.

ThreatQuotient

Debt Financing in 2021
ThreatQuotient, Inc. operates a threat intelligence platform that helps organizations manage and respond to cyber threats effectively. Founded in 2013 and based in Reston, Virginia, the company offers ThreatQ, which centralizes and correlates various external threat intelligence sources with internal security and analytics solutions. This platform provides contextual and operationalized intelligence, enabling security teams to identify, understand, and prioritize threats tailored to their specific infrastructure. ThreatQ features integrations with commercial and open-source intelligence feeds, as well as advanced threat solutions and security monitoring systems. This comprehensive approach enhances an organization's ability to respond to high-priority threats through automation and informed decision-making. Additionally, ThreatQuotient has operations in Germany and Australia, further extending its global reach in cybersecurity.

ThreatQuotient

Venture Round in 2021
ThreatQuotient, Inc. operates a threat intelligence platform that helps organizations manage and respond to cyber threats effectively. Founded in 2013 and based in Reston, Virginia, the company offers ThreatQ, which centralizes and correlates various external threat intelligence sources with internal security and analytics solutions. This platform provides contextual and operationalized intelligence, enabling security teams to identify, understand, and prioritize threats tailored to their specific infrastructure. ThreatQ features integrations with commercial and open-source intelligence feeds, as well as advanced threat solutions and security monitoring systems. This comprehensive approach enhances an organization's ability to respond to high-priority threats through automation and informed decision-making. Additionally, ThreatQuotient has operations in Germany and Australia, further extending its global reach in cybersecurity.

DeepSig

Series A in 2020
DeepSig is an early-stage startup that develops deep learning software to reinvent wireless communications. By replacing core wireless technology with deep learning, DeepSig makes communication systems faster, more cost-efficient, more secure, and able to excel in complex environments. It uses machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI) to learn optimized models directly from data rather than manually designing specialized algorithms, transforming wireless for 5G, IoT, and security.

Gallop.ai

Seed Round in 2018
Gallop is an AI assistant that saves employees time and money. We’ve been there. Planning a trip late at night after a long day. How much time should you leave for traffic? Should you risk connecting through O’Hare? Which airline will you get status on this year? Which hotel? Is there an option that gets you home in time to put the kids to bed? Wouldn’t it be great if someone could just figure out the best trip and plan it for you? That’s what Gallop does. We’re using AI to make planning business travel frictionless. The more you work with us, the more our software will learn how to build the perfect trip for you. Our software to gives everyone their own personal travel assistant. So, take a load off! And take your time back. We’ll get you on your way.

Ostendio

Seed Round in 2017
Ostendio, Inc. specializes in healthcare information security and risk management solutions tailored for healthcare organizations and medical device manufacturers. The company's flagship product, MyVirtualComplianceManager (MyVCM), is a cloud-based platform designed to streamline the development, management, and demonstration of information security frameworks. MyVCM adopts a unique bottom-up approach, engaging all employees in the security and compliance processes, while providing a comprehensive view of an organization’s cybersecurity program. This allows clients to effectively report their security posture to stakeholders. In addition to MyVCM, Ostendio offers services such as performance testing, quality management support, cybersecurity training, and risk assessment program development. Founded in 2013 and headquartered in Arlington, Virginia, Ostendio serves a diverse clientele across North America, Europe, the Middle East, and Australia.

Urgently

Series B in 2017
Urgent.ly’s Roadside is a digital roadside assistance platform that features a roadside assistance industry to the benefit of global brands, roadside assistance professionals, and consumers. Its solution delivers the quickest, safest, and most innovative roadside assistance service, products and technology by combining location-based services, real-time data, AI, and machine-to-machine communication.

PFP Cybersecurity

Series A in 2017
PFP is an agile (cloud-based or on-premise) platform that uses dynamic power behavior analysis to detect dangerous implant-based attacks in hardware, firmware, and configuration. PFP constantly monitors the power behavior of devices/IoT in data centers, critical infrastructure, and more; then, data is sent to the cloud where PFP detects malicious actors; dashboards display continuous monitoring and/or are alerted. Remediation occurs with or without human interaction. PFP then has continuous monitoring 24/7 which authenticates, detects, and remediates.

Dark Cubed

Seed Round in 2017
Dark Cubed brings security to the more than 99% of companies that do not have the resources to implement security today. Our SaaS solution augments existing firewalls to provide enterprise-grade security capabilities at a fraction of the cost and complexity of other solutions. We partner with MSPs and service providers to secure their customer base, increase revenue, and capture new customers.

Atomicorp

Seed Round in 2016
Atomicorp Ltd. develops security solutions for the protection and support of cloud, virtual, shared, and dedicated Web hosting environments. It offers Atomic Secured Linux, a security solution for Linux Web servers that provides solutions for site defacement and comment spams, Web application vulnerabilities, PCI-DSS and other regulatory compliance, rootkits and malware, denial of service attacks, XML attacks, SQL injections and cross site scripting, CSRF attacks, file and code injections, cookie and credential thefts, persistent threats, recursion attacks, data thefts and information leakages, malware uploads, and more. The company also offers Atomicorp GotRoot ModSecurity Rules, a Web server module that allows users to build a Web application firewall to protect Web applications; Atomicorp Nucleus Repository, a commercial archive that provides PHP 5.3 and related legacy support packages; and Atomicorp Repository, a Linux/MySQL/PHP archive. In addition, it offers a database of signatures, rules, and countermeasures against metacharacter attacks, remote code inclusion, XML schema attacks, buffer overflows, LDAP injection, dangling pointer attacks, and other application and Web based attacks. The company serves commercial enterprises and government agencies. It also sells its products online. The company was founded in 2007 and is based in Chantilly, Virginia. Atomicorp Ltd. operates as a subsidiary of Prometheus Global, Inc.

ThreatQuotient

Series B in 2016
ThreatQuotient, Inc. operates a threat intelligence platform that helps organizations manage and respond to cyber threats effectively. Founded in 2013 and based in Reston, Virginia, the company offers ThreatQ, which centralizes and correlates various external threat intelligence sources with internal security and analytics solutions. This platform provides contextual and operationalized intelligence, enabling security teams to identify, understand, and prioritize threats tailored to their specific infrastructure. ThreatQ features integrations with commercial and open-source intelligence feeds, as well as advanced threat solutions and security monitoring systems. This comprehensive approach enhances an organization's ability to respond to high-priority threats through automation and informed decision-making. Additionally, ThreatQuotient has operations in Germany and Australia, further extending its global reach in cybersecurity.

Avizia

Series A in 2016
Avizia is a provider of telehealth and remote conferencing platform to deploy and power system-wide telehealth programs. It is delivering on the vision of collaborative care for patients by connecting medical experts across distance through innovative, leading-edge telemedicine solutions. Supported by Cisco technology, Avizia delivers telemedicine that is as powerful as it is easy to use. Its end-to-end solution includes telemedicine devices, workflow management software, store-and-forward capabilities with EHR integration, and a line of peripherals, such as digital stethoscopes and examination cameras. Whether medical professionals are performing remote medical consultations or teaching a new procedure, Avizia makes the experience feel as if everyone is present. Avizia uses Cisco TelePresence technology to enable HD, real-time video collaboration in hospitals amongst patients and professionals.

AxonAI(ConvergentAi)

Seed Round in 2016
Inspired by natural self-organizing systems like ant colonies and bee hives, we engineer intelligent products for major markets. Our products include big data analysis tools, UAV and sensor asset command and control software, threat modeling applications, and behavioral prediction models.

PFP Cybersecurity

Series A in 2015
PFP is an agile (cloud-based or on-premise) platform that uses dynamic power behavior analysis to detect dangerous implant-based attacks in hardware, firmware, and configuration. PFP constantly monitors the power behavior of devices/IoT in data centers, critical infrastructure, and more; then, data is sent to the cloud where PFP detects malicious actors; dashboards display continuous monitoring and/or are alerted. Remediation occurs with or without human interaction. PFP then has continuous monitoring 24/7 which authenticates, detects, and remediates.

ThreatQuotient

Series A in 2015
ThreatQuotient, Inc. operates a threat intelligence platform that helps organizations manage and respond to cyber threats effectively. Founded in 2013 and based in Reston, Virginia, the company offers ThreatQ, which centralizes and correlates various external threat intelligence sources with internal security and analytics solutions. This platform provides contextual and operationalized intelligence, enabling security teams to identify, understand, and prioritize threats tailored to their specific infrastructure. ThreatQ features integrations with commercial and open-source intelligence feeds, as well as advanced threat solutions and security monitoring systems. This comprehensive approach enhances an organization's ability to respond to high-priority threats through automation and informed decision-making. Additionally, ThreatQuotient has operations in Germany and Australia, further extending its global reach in cybersecurity.

Blue Triangle

Series A in 2015
Blue Triangle provides digital teams with a connected view of their marketing, web performance, and third-party tag analytics while constantly monitoring website code for security vulnerabilities. With Blue Triangle, teams can track the experience of every web and mobile app visitor in real time and identify specific web performance, third-party tag, and purchase path issues measurably impacting revenue. This data empowers teams to improve and secure their digital experiences along the most critical areas of the customer journey. Blue Triangle is trusted by Fortune 500 companies including The Home Depot, Marriott, and Carnival Cruise Line, and was named a Gartner "Cool Vendor"​ in 2017. The company was founded in 2011 and is headquartered in Richmond, VA.

Urgently

Series A in 2015
Urgent.ly’s Roadside is a digital roadside assistance platform that features a roadside assistance industry to the benefit of global brands, roadside assistance professionals, and consumers. Its solution delivers the quickest, safest, and most innovative roadside assistance service, products and technology by combining location-based services, real-time data, AI, and machine-to-machine communication.

ThreatQuotient

Seed Round in 2015
ThreatQuotient, Inc. operates a threat intelligence platform that helps organizations manage and respond to cyber threats effectively. Founded in 2013 and based in Reston, Virginia, the company offers ThreatQ, which centralizes and correlates various external threat intelligence sources with internal security and analytics solutions. This platform provides contextual and operationalized intelligence, enabling security teams to identify, understand, and prioritize threats tailored to their specific infrastructure. ThreatQ features integrations with commercial and open-source intelligence feeds, as well as advanced threat solutions and security monitoring systems. This comprehensive approach enhances an organization's ability to respond to high-priority threats through automation and informed decision-making. Additionally, ThreatQuotient has operations in Germany and Australia, further extending its global reach in cybersecurity.

Senseware

Seed Round in 2015
Senseware, Inc. develops a facility monitoring and control platform tailored for the commercial and industrial building sector. Founded in 2013 and based in Fairfax, Virginia, the company’s modular system employs wireless sensors to monitor various mechanical, electrical, environmental, and plumbing systems in real time. This technology aids building managers and energy consultants in enhancing operational efficiency and promoting sustainability. By utilizing smart sensors and cloud-based technologies, Senseware enables comprehensive applications such as energy management, HVAC control, and facility maintenance. Its user-friendly dashboard provides detailed insights into building performance, allowing for the on-demand integration of new assets. The platform ultimately supports asset owners and operators in reducing costs, achieving sustainability objectives, and improving overall workplace comfort and productivity.

Avizia

Convertible Note in 2015
Avizia is a provider of telehealth and remote conferencing platform to deploy and power system-wide telehealth programs. It is delivering on the vision of collaborative care for patients by connecting medical experts across distance through innovative, leading-edge telemedicine solutions. Supported by Cisco technology, Avizia delivers telemedicine that is as powerful as it is easy to use. Its end-to-end solution includes telemedicine devices, workflow management software, store-and-forward capabilities with EHR integration, and a line of peripherals, such as digital stethoscopes and examination cameras. Whether medical professionals are performing remote medical consultations or teaching a new procedure, Avizia makes the experience feel as if everyone is present. Avizia uses Cisco TelePresence technology to enable HD, real-time video collaboration in hospitals amongst patients and professionals.

Blue Triangle

Venture Round in 2014
Blue Triangle provides digital teams with a connected view of their marketing, web performance, and third-party tag analytics while constantly monitoring website code for security vulnerabilities. With Blue Triangle, teams can track the experience of every web and mobile app visitor in real time and identify specific web performance, third-party tag, and purchase path issues measurably impacting revenue. This data empowers teams to improve and secure their digital experiences along the most critical areas of the customer journey. Blue Triangle is trusted by Fortune 500 companies including The Home Depot, Marriott, and Carnival Cruise Line, and was named a Gartner "Cool Vendor"​ in 2017. The company was founded in 2011 and is headquartered in Richmond, VA.

Urgently

Convertible Note in 2014
Urgent.ly’s Roadside is a digital roadside assistance platform that features a roadside assistance industry to the benefit of global brands, roadside assistance professionals, and consumers. Its solution delivers the quickest, safest, and most innovative roadside assistance service, products and technology by combining location-based services, real-time data, AI, and machine-to-machine communication.

Avizia

Seed Round in 2014
Avizia is a provider of telehealth and remote conferencing platform to deploy and power system-wide telehealth programs. It is delivering on the vision of collaborative care for patients by connecting medical experts across distance through innovative, leading-edge telemedicine solutions. Supported by Cisco technology, Avizia delivers telemedicine that is as powerful as it is easy to use. Its end-to-end solution includes telemedicine devices, workflow management software, store-and-forward capabilities with EHR integration, and a line of peripherals, such as digital stethoscopes and examination cameras. Whether medical professionals are performing remote medical consultations or teaching a new procedure, Avizia makes the experience feel as if everyone is present. Avizia uses Cisco TelePresence technology to enable HD, real-time video collaboration in hospitals amongst patients and professionals.

ID.me

Series A in 2014
ID.me, Inc. provides a secure identity verification platform that offers identity proofing, authentication, and group affiliation verification solutions for government and various businesses. Founded in 2010 and based in McLean, Virginia, the company enables consumers to verify their identities online, in-person, or through virtual means. Its services include Identity Gateway, which integrates multiple third-party identity providers; Multi-Factor Authentication; Document Verification utilizing machine vision and AI; and Compliance Monitor to ensure regulatory adherence. Additionally, ID.me offers Group Verification to authenticate group affiliations, enabling discounts for targeted segments such as military personnel and students. The platform serves diverse sectors, including public services, healthcare, financial services, retail, and travel, facilitating secure interactions between individuals and organizations. ID.me has gained recognition for its contributions to digital identity solutions, having received a grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce and accolades from various publications.

LATISTA

Venture Round in 2013
LATISTA is a developer of mobile-enabled technology focused on improving collaboration in the construction industry. The company offers a mobile application that streamlines construction quality control and field management processes. This software facilitates communication between field teams and office personnel, addressing critical workflows such as quality management, punch lists, safety, and electronic commissioning. By providing tools for effective document management and managing project-specific plans and drawings, LATISTA aims to reduce costly rework, delays, and paperwork, ultimately enhancing the efficiency of construction projects.

PathSensors

Debt Financing in 2013
PathSensors, Inc. is a biotechnology solutions and environmental testing company based in Baltimore, Maryland. Founded in 2009, it specializes in high-speed and high-sensitivity detection systems for pathogens and biological threats. The company offers several advanced systems, including BioFlash-E, which combines biological aerosol sample collection with near real-time identification, Zephyr, designed for the sensitive detection of biological threats from various surfaces and liquids, and PathSensors Navigator, which automates sample analysis for high-volume detection. PathSensors also develops biosensors capable of identifying a range of pathogens, including Salmonella, Bacillus anthracis, and Ricin toxin. Its solutions serve a variety of sectors such as defense, food safety, environmental monitoring, and public health. PathSensors has secured funding from multiple investors, enhancing its capability to support government and commercial clients in monitoring and detection applications. As of August 2020, the company operates as a subsidiary of Smiths Detection Inc.

ID.me

Convertible Note in 2013
ID.me, Inc. provides a secure identity verification platform that offers identity proofing, authentication, and group affiliation verification solutions for government and various businesses. Founded in 2010 and based in McLean, Virginia, the company enables consumers to verify their identities online, in-person, or through virtual means. Its services include Identity Gateway, which integrates multiple third-party identity providers; Multi-Factor Authentication; Document Verification utilizing machine vision and AI; and Compliance Monitor to ensure regulatory adherence. Additionally, ID.me offers Group Verification to authenticate group affiliations, enabling discounts for targeted segments such as military personnel and students. The platform serves diverse sectors, including public services, healthcare, financial services, retail, and travel, facilitating secure interactions between individuals and organizations. ID.me has gained recognition for its contributions to digital identity solutions, having received a grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce and accolades from various publications.

PathSensors

Convertible Note in 2012
PathSensors, Inc. is a biotechnology solutions and environmental testing company based in Baltimore, Maryland. Founded in 2009, it specializes in high-speed and high-sensitivity detection systems for pathogens and biological threats. The company offers several advanced systems, including BioFlash-E, which combines biological aerosol sample collection with near real-time identification, Zephyr, designed for the sensitive detection of biological threats from various surfaces and liquids, and PathSensors Navigator, which automates sample analysis for high-volume detection. PathSensors also develops biosensors capable of identifying a range of pathogens, including Salmonella, Bacillus anthracis, and Ricin toxin. Its solutions serve a variety of sectors such as defense, food safety, environmental monitoring, and public health. PathSensors has secured funding from multiple investors, enhancing its capability to support government and commercial clients in monitoring and detection applications. As of August 2020, the company operates as a subsidiary of Smiths Detection Inc.

ID.me

Venture Round in 2012
ID.me, Inc. provides a secure identity verification platform that offers identity proofing, authentication, and group affiliation verification solutions for government and various businesses. Founded in 2010 and based in McLean, Virginia, the company enables consumers to verify their identities online, in-person, or through virtual means. Its services include Identity Gateway, which integrates multiple third-party identity providers; Multi-Factor Authentication; Document Verification utilizing machine vision and AI; and Compliance Monitor to ensure regulatory adherence. Additionally, ID.me offers Group Verification to authenticate group affiliations, enabling discounts for targeted segments such as military personnel and students. The platform serves diverse sectors, including public services, healthcare, financial services, retail, and travel, facilitating secure interactions between individuals and organizations. ID.me has gained recognition for its contributions to digital identity solutions, having received a grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce and accolades from various publications.

TroopSwap

Seed Round in 2012
Daily Deals Exclusively For The Military Community. Because A Life Of Service Should Have Its Perks! Founded by veterans, TroopSwap.com provides a channel for business to give back to the military community. We only employ military spouses and veterans for our local community outreach. 10% of profits are donated to the Wounded Warrior Project. Sign up today at http://www.troopswap.com

ID.me

Series A in 2011
ID.me, Inc. provides a secure identity verification platform that offers identity proofing, authentication, and group affiliation verification solutions for government and various businesses. Founded in 2010 and based in McLean, Virginia, the company enables consumers to verify their identities online, in-person, or through virtual means. Its services include Identity Gateway, which integrates multiple third-party identity providers; Multi-Factor Authentication; Document Verification utilizing machine vision and AI; and Compliance Monitor to ensure regulatory adherence. Additionally, ID.me offers Group Verification to authenticate group affiliations, enabling discounts for targeted segments such as military personnel and students. The platform serves diverse sectors, including public services, healthcare, financial services, retail, and travel, facilitating secure interactions between individuals and organizations. ID.me has gained recognition for its contributions to digital identity solutions, having received a grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce and accolades from various publications.

LATISTA

Series A in 2011
LATISTA is a developer of mobile-enabled technology focused on improving collaboration in the construction industry. The company offers a mobile application that streamlines construction quality control and field management processes. This software facilitates communication between field teams and office personnel, addressing critical workflows such as quality management, punch lists, safety, and electronic commissioning. By providing tools for effective document management and managing project-specific plans and drawings, LATISTA aims to reduce costly rework, delays, and paperwork, ultimately enhancing the efficiency of construction projects.
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