Rilian Technologies, a McLean, Virginia-based cybersecurity startup developing artificial intelligence-powered security and defense solutions, has raised $17.5 million in seed and seed extension funding to accelerate product development, expand operations, and support adoption of its AI-native security orchestration platform. The company is focused on helping government agencies, critical infrastructure operators, and enterprise security teams respond to increasingly complex cyber threats through autonomous AI capabilities.

The funding round was led by 8VC, First In, and Tamarack Global, with additional participation from 8090 Industries, Liquid 2 Ventures, Perot Jain, and Protego Ventures. The company plans to use the financing to expand engineering and go-to-market teams, advance research and development, and grow its presence across the United States, Gulf Cooperation Council countries, and other allied markets.

Founded in 2024 by Christian Schnedler, Nick Pompeo, and Dan Fischer, Rilian Technologies was created to address challenges faced by cybersecurity and defense organizations operating in increasingly fragmented environments. The company describes itself as an agentic systems integrator, building artificial intelligence systems that help organizations deploy, manage, and automate cybersecurity capabilities across complex technology environments.

At the center of Rilian’s technology offering is Caspian, an AI-powered security orchestration platform designed to provide organizations with a unified command layer across their cybersecurity tools and systems. The platform uses pre-trained AI agents to assist security teams with threat analysis, operational workflows, and institutional knowledge capture, helping organizations improve response times and reduce the burden on cybersecurity professionals.

Rilian is targeting organizations that operate in highly sensitive environments, including government agencies, national security organizations, law enforcement groups, and critical infrastructure providers. The company’s technology is designed to function across cloud environments, on-premises infrastructure, air-gapped systems, and compliance-restricted networks where traditional cybersecurity approaches can be difficult to implement.

The company believes cybersecurity teams are facing growing challenges as attackers increasingly use automation and artificial intelligence to scale their operations. Rilian’s approach is centered on using AI agents to help defenders operate at greater speed and efficiency by automating parts of security analysis, response, and technology deployment.

The newly raised capital will allow Rilian to continue expanding its platform while increasing its presence in markets where cybersecurity and defense capabilities are considered strategic priorities. The company plans to invest in engineering talent, product development, and customer expansion as it works to establish its AI-native security infrastructure.

Investor participation reflects increasing venture capital interest in artificial intelligence applications for cybersecurity and national defense. 8VC, which led the round, has invested in technology companies focused on areas including artificial intelligence, security, and national resilience. First In focuses on cybersecurity and defense technology investments, while Tamarack Global has backed companies operating in emerging technology sectors.

Additional investors including 8090 Industries, Liquid 2 Ventures, Perot Jain, and Protego Ventures are supporting Rilian’s efforts to build cybersecurity infrastructure for organizations facing sophisticated digital threats. Their participation highlights broader investor interest in companies combining artificial intelligence with security, defense, and critical infrastructure applications.

Rilian’s platform is designed to help organizations integrate and automate cybersecurity tools rather than replacing existing systems. The company’s technology acts as a coordination layer that connects security capabilities, allowing teams to gain greater visibility and improve operational efficiency across complex technology environments.

The company’s growth comes amid rising demand for advanced cybersecurity solutions as organizations face a wider range of threats, including ransomware, state-sponsored attacks, and increasingly automated cyber operations. As artificial intelligence changes both offensive and defensive cybersecurity strategies, companies developing AI-driven security platforms are attracting significant attention from investors and enterprise customers.

Rilian has also developed partnerships within the cybersecurity ecosystem to strengthen its capabilities. The company has worked with technology providers including SentinelOne, Censys, and SimSpace to advance cybersecurity solutions for critical environments.

With $17.5 million in seed and seed extension financing, Rilian Technologies is positioned to expand its AI-powered cybersecurity platform and pursue broader adoption among government, enterprise, and infrastructure customers. Backed by investors including 8VC, First In, and Tamarack Global, the company aims to build a new generation of cybersecurity infrastructure designed for an era where artificial intelligence is reshaping both cyber threats and defense strategies.

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