Mode VC
California

Shield Capital

Shield Capital, based in California, backs Seed-stage cybersecurity, aerospace/defense, and deep tech startups, mostly following other investors, with its latest $186M fund.

WebsitePitch pageTeam page
Entry stageSeed
Check sizen/a
Leads roundsMostly follows
FocusCybersecurity, Defense and space, Deep tech
Latest fund$186M (2023)$186M (inaugural venture fund) (2023)
Investing team8 peopleNo activity since Sep

Who you would pitch at Shield Capital

8 people on the investing team, 4 of them partners who can make the call. Partners are listed first.

Philip Bilden
Philip BildenFounder and Managing PartnerHe has held leadership roles at HarbourVest Partners and served on multiple boards.
Raj Shah
Raj ShahFounder and Managing PartnerHe has held roles at the Defense Innovation Unit and Palo Alto Networks, and is a former U.S.
John Serafini
John SerafiniPartnerFocus: venture incubation in national security.
Michael Brown
Michael BrownPartnerHe has held roles including CEO of Symantec and Chairman & CEO of Quantum Corp.
Akhil Iyer
Akhil IyerPrincipal
David Rothzeid
David RothzeidPrincipalHe has held roles in the Air Force and other defense organizations.
Maggie Gray
Maggie GrayVice PresidentFocus: artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and tech policy.
Matt Kaplan
Matt KaplanAssociateHe has worked with the Department of Defense and Stanford research centers.

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Check size not reported yet.

Bars: how many firms in the atlas report each band. Highlighted: this firm.

No recent activity since September 2026. Quiet does not mean closed.

Weekly count of activity updates. Activity is not a confirmed deal.

Notable investments

Hawkeye360Snorkel AIElroy AirArmadaDedroneUnstructuredVannevar LabsAlbedoAPEXStarfish Space

In their words

Shield Capital - Investing in Technologies that MatterShield Capital is a venture capital firm investing in early-stage companies building technologies that matter in artificial intelligence, autonomy, cybersecurity, and spashieldcap.com
Founders and investors at a Mode VC gathering

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One email when this firm shows new activity. Nothing else.

Firms like Shield Capital

Riot Ventures$1M to $30M+ · active Oct 10
HarpoonCheck size not reported
IronGate Capital AdvisorsCheck size not reported
Massive Tech VenturesCheck size not reported
New North Ventures$1M to $3M
Paladin Capital Group$500K to $30M

On these lists

Seed deep tech investors in California94Seed cybersecurity investors in California38Seed defense and space investors in California30Seed investors in United States2836Seed investors in California699Seed deep tech investors200Seed cybersecurity investors100Seed defense and space investors84

Questions

What stage does Shield Capital invest in?

Shield Capital reports entry at seed.

How much does Shield Capital invest?

Shield Capital has not reported a check size.

Does Shield Capital lead rounds?

Shield Capital mostly follows other investors.

Who are the partners at Shield Capital?

Philip Bilden (Founder and Managing Partner), Raj Shah (Founder and Managing Partner), John Serafini (Partner), Michael Brown (Partner).

Is Shield Capital active right now?

No recent activity since September 2026.

Work at Shield Capital? Claim or correct this profile.