Investor Profile: NightDragon — Thesis, Cheque Size & How to Apply

NightDragon is a global investment and advisory firm focused on growth and late-stage investments in cybersecurity, defence and AI — the categories it groups under "SecureTech", spanning cybersecurity, safety, security and privacy technologies. For founders building category-defining companies on a mission to secure the world, NightDragon funding offers more than capital: a value-creation platform built on decades of operating experience.

NightDragon funding thesis & focus

NightDragon invests in mission-driven solutions to rising digital, geopolitical and global threats. Its current coverage spans Cybersecurity, Defence, Artificial Intelligence and Quantum — closing the gap between offence and defence. The firm seeks out companies solving real-world challenges, with a growing commitment to defence autonomy and dual-use systems alongside classic enterprise security. Stages are growth and late-stage rather than seed.

Fund size & cheque sizes

NightDragon closed a $750M growth fund in July 2021, reported by Dark Reading, as part of its next-generation SecureTech platform. The firm's homepage currently lists 18 current portfolio companies, 100+ advisors and 100+ industry partners. Per-deal cheque sizes are not publicly disclosed — typical for a growth-stage house that co-invests alongside top-tier lead investors.

Notable portfolio

Verified portfolio companies listed by NightDragon include Dataminr (real-time event and risk intelligence), Epirus (directed-energy systems for defence), Forterra (integrated autonomous systems for ground autonomy), Saronic (autonomous surface vessels), iboss (zero-trust security service edge), Horizon3.ai (autonomous penetration testing), Classiq (quantum software) and Mezmo (telemetry data pipelines).

Team & leads

NightDragon was founded by Dave DeWalt, Founder and Managing Director, formerly CEO of McAfee and FireEye/Mandiant; Ken Gonzalez is a co-founder. The team describes itself as having more than 25 years of operational and market expertise from companies including Documentum, EMC, Siebel Systems (Oracle), Avast and FireEye. In September 2026 the firm joined the NATO DIANA Trusted Capital Network and announced a partnership with the Silicon Valley Defense Group.

Programmes, credits & perks

NightDragon runs the NightScale value-creation platform, which gives portfolio companies dedicated programmes and partnerships around talent, go-to-market, marketing and government services — plus immediate access to its community of industry advisors, ex-government leaders, Fortune 100 executives and strategic GTM partners. This is a scale-up programme, not a public accelerator: benefits are reserved for funded portfolio companies.

How to apply for funding from NightDragon

NightDragon accepts approaches through the Contact Us page on nightdragon.com. Given the growth-stage focus and defence-heavy network, a warm introduction through one of its 100+ industry partners or advisors — or a co-investor already in your round — is the realistic route. There is no public application form or fixed deadline; outreach is rolling. Founders should lead with traction, category-defining potential and a clear fit with the SecureTech thesis.