Washington D.C.'s startup scene features a diverse mix of companies in sectors like AI, security, and energy.

For instance, location data platform Mapbox has attracted $614.2M in funding. On the other hand, newer players like Last Energy are focused on creating micro modular nuclear power plants.

Below is our list of 20 Washington D.C. startups worth keeping an eye on.

Failory's Top 10 Picks

CalypsoAI builds an AI security platform to help organizations safely adopt and use large language models. Their technology provides automated testing and real-time defense to secure AI systems against vulnerabilities and threats.

Year Founded2018
FoundersDavey Gibian, Neil Serebryany, Victor Ardulov
Funding Amount$43.2M
Startup SizeMid-Size Team (51-250)
Last Funding StatusVenture Round
Top InvestorsARVO VENTURE CAPITAL, 8VC, Lightspeed Venture Partners, Lockheed Martin Ventures, Crosspoint Capital Partners

Mapbox builds a location data platform that allows developers to embed custom maps, search, and navigation into their applications. Its flexible APIs and SDKs are used to power a wide range of services, from fleet management and logistics to business intelligence dashboards.

Year Founded2010
FoundersBonnie Bogle, Eric Gundersen, Will White
Funding Amount$614.2M
Startup SizeLarge Team (251-1,000)
Last Funding StatusSeries E
Top InvestorsThrive Capital, SoftBank, DFJ Growth, Foundry Group, SoftBank Vision Fund

Optoro built a SaaS platform to help retailers and e-commerce brands manage the entire product returns process. Their system optimizes the full lifecycle, from the initial customer return request all the way through to restocking and resale.

Year Founded2010
FoundersAdam Vitarello, Tobin Moore
Funding Amount$269.4M
Startup SizeMid-Size Team (51-250)
Last Funding StatusSeries E
Top InvestorsFranklin Templeton, QED Investors, Kleiner Perkins, Generation Investment Management, eBay

Emerald AI builds an AI-powered software platform that transforms energy-intensive data centers into assets for the power grid. Their technology optimizes energy use and allows data centers to participate in energy markets, creating new revenue while improving grid stability.

Year Founded2024
FoundersVarun Sivaram
Funding Amount$41.5M
Startup SizeLean Team (11-50)
Last Funding StatusCorporate Round
Top InvestorsRadical Ventures, NVentures, National Grid, Amplo, CRV

Tidal Cyber develops a threat-informed defense platform that maps adversary behavior to a company's security stack. The enterprise software gives security teams a clear view of their defensive coverage and helps them prioritize actions against relevant threats.

Year Founded2022
FoundersFrank Duff, Rick Gordon
Funding Amount$24M
Startup SizeLean Team (11-50)
Last Funding StatusSeries A
Top InvestorsSquadra Ventures, Blu Venture Investors, Veteran Ventures Capital, SaaS Ventures, Bright Pixel (formerly Sonae IM)

Last Energy builds micro modular nuclear power plants using a novel system for development and delivery. Their approach standardizes the design and supply chain, allowing them to deploy clean, reliable power to customers much faster than traditional nuclear projects.

Year Founded2020
FoundersBret Kugelmass
Funding Amount$64M
Startup SizeMid-Size Team (51-250)
Last Funding StatusSeries B
Top InvestorsFirst Round Capital, Quiet Capital, Gigafund, Armada Investment AG, Amitis Capital

Alethea builds technology to protect major companies from the risks of disinformation and social media manipulation. Their platform helps organizations detect and respond to harmful narratives and other digital threats.

Year Founded2019
FoundersLisa Kaplan
Funding Amount$30M
Startup SizeLean Team (11-50)
Last Funding StatusSeries B
Top InvestorsBallistic Ventures, GV, Hakluyt Capital

[solidcore] operates a network of fitness studios centered around a high-intensity, low-impact workout. Their signature 50-minute classes use custom Pilates-style reformers for slow, controlled movements designed to build serious strength.

Year Founded2013
FoundersAnne Mahlum
Funding Amount$325M
Startup SizeMajor Organization (1,001-5,000)
Last Funding StatusDebt Financing
Top InvestorsVMG Partners, Kohlberg & Company, Peterson Partners

Plural builds a public policy platform that helps teams track legislation and manage complex workflows. The software aggregates bills and regulatory data, enabling organizations to discover opportunities and collaborate more effectively.

Year Founded2017
FoundersDamola Ogundipe, Yemi Adewunmi
Funding Amount$10M
Startup SizeLean Team (11-50)
Last Funding StatusVenture Round
Top InvestorsMenlo Ventures, Techstars, M25, S3 Ventures, Boomtown Accelerators

Sublime Security builds an adaptive, AI-powered platform for cloud email security. The company's approach combines threat detection with enhanced visibility and control for security teams.

Year Founded2019
FoundersIan Thiel, Joshua Kamdjou
Funding Amount$89.8M
Startup SizeMid-Size Team (51-250)
Last Funding StatusSeries B
Top InvestorsIVP, Slow Ventures, Index Ventures, Decibel Partners, Citi Ventures

10 Additional Washington D.C. Startups Worth Following

Our top ten picks are just a small part of what’s happening in the District. Founders across the city are building companies in important areas like security and data analytics.

Together, the next group of companies has raised over a billion dollars to grow their ideas. Here’s a look at the other startups helping to shape the city's ecosystem.

StartupIndustryYear FoundedAmount RaisedLast Funding Round
NPR logo NPRMedia1970$21.7MGrant
Vox Media logo Vox MediaMarketing2003$407.6MCorporate Round
GreyNoise Intelligence logo GreyNoise IntelligenceAnalytics2017$20.4MSeries A
DNSFilter logo DNSFilterSecurity2015$62.1MSeries A
Sorcero logo SorceroAI2018$15.1MSeries A
Sayari Labs logo Sayari LabsAnalytics2015$329.7MPrivate Equity
Virtru logo VirtruSecurity2012$189.8MSeries D
EVERFI logo EVERFIEducation2008$251MSeries D
SparkMeter logo SparkMeterEnergy2013$41.2MCorporate Round
Jones Day logo Jones DayEnterprise1893——