Arkenstone Defense
Arkenstone Defense sells commercial technology companies a ready-made government-contracting back office — workforce operations, HR, payroll, insurance, personnel security, contracting support, compliance, and accreditation — so they can sell to the U.S. government without building that operational infrastructure themselves. Its Foundation product handles FedRAMP/ATO/CMMC compliance and contract management; its Cohort product is a PEO for defense and dual-use companies.
Arkenstone Defense emerged from stealth on July 7, 2026 with a $35M seed round led by J2 Ventures, with Susa Ventures, Granite Hill Capital Partners, and Artis Ventures participating. Its Foundation product handles FedRAMP/ATO/CMMC compliance and contract management; its Cohort product is a professional employer organization (PEO) for defense and dual-use companies. Arkenstone also acquired Anitian, a compliance-infrastructure company. It is co-founded by Peter Dixon (CEO), William Treseder (COO), and Rachel Olney.
Overview
- Headquarters
- Menlo Park, CA
- Founded
- 0
- Employees
- Undisclosed
- Total funding
- 5M
- Stage
- Seed
- Status
- active
- Domains
- govcon, compliance, workforce
- Website
- arkenstonedefense.com
Founders3
- FounderPeter DixonPeter Dixon is co-founder and CEO of Arkenstone Defense. A former Marine Corps scout sniper platoon commander who deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan and later advised the State Department and the Pentagon on innovation, he previously founded Second Front Systems, a public benefit corporation that helps commercial software companies get products authorized for U.S. government use.
- FounderWilliam TresederWilliam Treseder is co-founder and COO of Arkenstone Defense. A Marine Corps veteran who deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan and continues to serve as a reservist with the Marine Innovation Unit, he spent two decades in defense innovation and compliance, co-founding the government-innovation consultancy BMNT and helping launch the Hacking for Defense university course.
- FounderRachel OlneyRachel Olney is a co-founder of Arkenstone Defense, where she serves as Secretary and Director. She holds a PhD in mechanical engineering from Stanford and previously founded and led Geosite, a geospatial-data company.
Investors4
- FundJ2 VenturesJ2 Ventures is a Boston-based venture capital firm investing in early-stage dual-use technology companies serving commercial and national-security markets. It led Arkenstone Defense's $35M seed round.
- FundSusa VenturesSusa Ventures is a San Francisco seed-stage venture capital firm founded in 2013, investing $1M-$5M at pre-seed and seed. It participated in Arkenstone Defense's $35M seed round.
- FundGranite Hill Capital PartnersGranite Hill Capital Partners is a San Francisco deep-tech venture capital firm founded in 2007, investing in seed and early-stage cybersecurity, AI/ML, and enterprise-software companies. It participated in Arkenstone Defense's $35M seed round.
- FundArtis VenturesArtis Ventures is a San Francisco venture capital firm founded in 2001, known for its 'TechBio' thesis at the intersection of technology and biology. It participated in Arkenstone Defense's $35M seed round.
Cap table0
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Contracts0
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Programs0
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Frequently asked
- What does Arkenstone Defense do?
- Arkenstone Defense emerged from stealth on July 7, 2026 with a $35M seed round led by J2 Ventures, with Susa Ventures, Granite Hill Capital Partners, and Artis Ventures participating. Its Foundation product handles FedRAMP/ATO/CMMC compliance and contract management; its Cohort product is a professional employer organization (PEO) for defense and dual-use companies. Arkenstone also acquired Anitian, a compliance-infrastructure company. It is co-founded by Peter Dixon (CEO), William Treseder (COO), and Rachel Olney.
- Where is Arkenstone Defense headquartered?
- Arkenstone Defense is headquartered in Menlo Park, CA.
- How much funding has Arkenstone Defense raised?
- Arkenstone Defense has raised 5M in disclosed funding.
- What does Arkenstone Defense specialize in?
- Arkenstone Defense works across govcon, compliance, workforce.
Sources & citations3
Each claim links to its underlying source. Confidence reflects how directly the source supports the claim.
- 1
Arkenstone Defense launches with $35M seed funding to help commercial companies enter the federal market
Business Wire: Arkenstone Defense Launches with $35M to Help Commercial Companies Enter the Federal MarketVerified2026-07-07 - 2
Arkenstone is headquartered in Menlo Park, CA with offices in Albuquerque, NM and Burr Ridge, IL; the $35M seed was led by J2 Ventures with Susa Ventures, Granite Hill Capital Partners, and Artis Ventures; website is arkenstonedefense.com
Yahoo Finance (Business Wire syndication): Arkenstone Defense Launches with $35M to Help Commercial Companies Enter the Federal MarketVerified2026-07-07 - 3
Arkenstone's Foundation product covers FedRAMP/ATO/CMMC compliance and contract management; Cohort is its PEO offering for defense and dual-use companies; the company has acquired compliance-infrastructure firm Anitian
Tectonic Defense: Exclusive: Arkenstone Emerges With $35M to Build Defense Tech's Back OfficeVerified2026-07-07