Onebrief, a Hawaii-based startup revolutionizing military planning with its collaborative software, has secured a $50 million Series C funding round, led by venture capital firm General Catalyst and Insight Partners. This latest investment propels the company’s valuation to $650 million, a significant leap from its $30 million Series B round just months prior. Onebrief’s software, akin to a military-grade version of Atlassian’s Jira, streamlines complex planning processes, automating updates and eliminating the tedious manual revisions that have long plagued the Department of Defense. This infusion of capital will further fuel Onebrief’s mission to modernize national defense, an area identified by General Catalyst Managing Director Paul Kwan as critically underserved. The participation of other investors, including Human Capital, Caffeinated Capital, and 9Yards Capital, underscores the growing confidence in Onebrief’s potential to transform military operations.
The funding announcement coincides with the appointment of Chris Miller, former acting Secretary of Defense and co-author of Project 2025, to Onebrief’s board. Miller, a vocal critic of the DoD’s technological shortcomings, sees Onebrief’s software as a crucial step towards streamlining decision-making and establishing a common operating system across the Pentagon. His involvement not only brings valuable experience and strategic insight but also offers a direct link to the Trump administration, a connection that could prove beneficial in navigating the complex landscape of government contracting. Miller envisions Onebrief’s platform becoming the gold standard for military planning, a vision he actively promotes within the Pentagon. He even suggests the software could play a role in Elon Musk’s government efficiency initiative, DOGE, hinting at potential integration and synergy between the two.
Traditional military planning, often involving hundreds or even thousands of PowerPoint slides, has long been hampered by inefficient update processes. Any change, no matter how small, required manual revisions across numerous slides, a laborious task that could take weeks to complete. This antiquated system, experienced firsthand by Onebrief CEO and cofounder Grant Demaree during his time as a U.S. Army captain, inspired him to develop a more efficient solution. Onebrief’s software automates these updates, ensuring changes are reflected instantly across all relevant documents and teams. This drastically reduces the time required for revisions, allowing military planners to adapt quickly to evolving circumstances. In one instance, a Pentagon unit using Onebrief reportedly revamped a complex plan in under three hours, a task that previously would have taken several weeks.
Demaree, along with his cofounder, launched Onebrief in 2019, initially facing the uphill battle of convincing lower-ranking officers of the software’s value. Through persistent outreach, including cold-messaging majors and colonels on LinkedIn, they slowly gained traction. Their participation in YCombinator in 2021 marked a turning point, boosting their visibility and leading to their first seed round. Subsequent funding rounds, including the recent Series C, have enabled Onebrief to expand its team to nearly 150 employees and achieve near-profitability. While specific revenue figures remain undisclosed, Demaree claims the company’s tools are currently utilized by all five major Pentagon combatant commands, demonstrating its widespread adoption across diverse geographic regions.
Onebrief represents the latest addition to General Catalyst’s growing portfolio of defense tech investments. The venture firm has been actively backing startups securing military contracts, including Anduril, Helsing AI, and Vannevar Labs. This strategic focus reflects a broader trend within the venture capital landscape towards supporting companies that address national security needs. General Catalyst’s commitment extends beyond financial investment, as evidenced by their recent bolstering of D.C. lobbying efforts and their involvement in the New American Industrial Alliance, a manufacturing and defense-focused group co-founded with Palantir and 8VC. This multifaceted approach highlights their recognition of the crucial interplay between capital, innovation, and policy in driving transformative change within the defense industry.
Onebrief’s success story underscores the growing demand for innovative solutions within the defense sector. The company’s ability to secure significant funding, attract top talent like Chris Miller, and gain widespread adoption within the Pentagon speaks to the effectiveness of its software and its potential to revolutionize military planning. As the geopolitical landscape continues to evolve, the need for agile and efficient defense capabilities becomes increasingly critical. Onebrief’s platform, with its ability to streamline complex processes and accelerate decision-making, positions it as a key player in modernizing national defense and ensuring military readiness for the challenges of the 21st century. The company’s future growth and impact on the defense industry will be closely watched, as it continues to push the boundaries of technological innovation in service of national security.
