NEW YORK: Today, late-stage venture capital firm Innovation X Advisors LLC (“Innovation X”) announced its participation in the $1.5 billion Series G financing of Shield AI, Inc. (“Shield AI”), a San Diego-based defense technology company specializing in artificial intelligence, autonomous systems, and next-generation aircraft. The financing values Shield AI at $12.7 billion post-money. Innovation X’s participation reflects its investment thesis in companies operating at the intersection of AI and national security.

Shield AI's Series G financing included participation from Innovation X and other existing investors. The transaction also included $500 million of fixed-return preferred equity financing and an additional $250 million delayed draw facility, providing substantial capital to support the company's continued growth, accelerate the development of its autonomous systems, and advance its long-term strategic initiatives.

Founded in 2015, Shield AI is a venture-backed defense-tech company with the mission of protecting service members and civilians with intelligent systems. Its flagship products include Hivemind autonomy software, the V-BAT and X-BAT aircraft, and Aechelon simulation and synthetic reality technologies. According to Shield AI, Hivemind has piloted 26 classes of vehicles - including F-16s, jet-powered UAVs, helicopters, drone boats, and ground vehicles - and was selected by the U.S. Air Force as a mission autonomy provider for its Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) program. A portion of the Series G proceeds will help fund Shield AI’s planned acquisition of Aechelon Technology, a defense software company in high-fidelity simulation and physics-based sensors whose technology supports national security platforms including the Pentagon’s Joint Simulation Environment.

About Innovation X’s Investment Approach

As the leader of Innovation X, a multi-billion-dollar late-stage venture capital fund focused on investing in privately held companies with innovative or disruptive technologies, Roger Monteforte's continued backing of Shield AI reflects the firm's disciplined focus on identifying and scaling next-generation organizations before they reach the public markets.

In addition to his nearly three decades of financial experience, Roger has a comprehensive understanding of how emerging technologies such as AI, machine learning, aerospace, and national security can shape our world.

Company and firm statements

“This capital lets us keep building at scale,” said Brandon Tseng, president and co-founder of Shield AI. "V-BAT and Hivemind continue to deliver increased operational effects for our customers, and X-BAT, the world's first AI-piloted VTOL fighter jet, is next. Bringing on Aechelon adds the simulation technology that will train and test all military systems of consequence before they reach the battlefield. We appreciate Innovation X's continued conviction in this work."

“Shield AI is exactly the kind of company that Innovation X is built to back - a business solving an important problem in defense technology,” said Roger Monteforte, Chairman and CEO of Innovation X and founder and CEO of the Forte Capital Group. "We believe the future of defense will be shaped in software, trained in simulation, and proven in the field. Our continued participation reflects the deep conviction we and our clients have in this team and this technology.”

About Innovation X

Founded in 2016 by Roger Monteforte, Innovation X is a late-stage venture capital firm that invests in privately held companies with innovative or disruptive technologies across defense technology, fintech, artificial intelligence, infrastructure, and the space economy. Innovation X Advisors has over $4.5B under management across multiple funds (as reported on Form ADV as of 12/31/2025).

Important Disclosures

Relationship and conflict disclosure. Forte Capital Group is a division of Ceros Financial Services, Inc., member FINRA/SIPC. Innovation X Advisors LLC is a commonly owned affiliate of Ceros Financial Services, Inc. Roger Monteforte serves as Chairman and CEO of Innovation X Advisors LLC and as founder and CEO of Forte Capital Group. Innovation X currently holds an investment position in Shield AI, Inc. and has raised capital in connection with that investment and therefore has a financial interest in Shield AI.

Risk. Investments in late-stage private companies involve substantial risk, including the potential loss of the entire amount invested. Such investments are illiquid, may not have a public market, have long and uncertain time horizons, and their values can decline. There is no guarantee that any company referenced will achieve its objectives or that any investment will be profitable.

Past performance. Any reference to prior investments reflects selected examples that do not represent all investments made by Innovation X. Not all investments were or will be profitable. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

No offer. This communication is for informational purposes only and is not an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any security or investment advisory service. Valuation figures reflect the terms of the referenced financing and are not a measure of Innovation X’s investment performance or realized returns.

Fonte: Business Wire