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Key people at Ultratech Capital Partners.
Ultratech Capital Partners is an investment firm focused on early-stage companies developing critical technologies essential for national defense, infrastructure, resilience, energy security, and supply chain sovereignty. The firm targets innovative applications across AI, cybersecurity, semiconductors, and defense systems. They augment capital by assisting portfolio companies in securing non-dilutive government grants.
Founded by Damian Perl, Ultratech Capital Partners draws on his extensive entrepreneurial background, including leading two NASDAQ IPOs and building global defense technology businesses. This deep operational expertise, combined with the team’s critical technology investing experience, informs their strategy. The firm originated from the insight that global volatility necessitates strategic investment in technological leadership and innovation.
Ultratech Capital Partners targets visionary leaders within mission-driven early-stage companies, fostering growth through an extensive network across government and industry. They provide mentorship and strategic guidance, aiming to expand enterprises toward successful exits. Their long-term vision involves bolstering strategic capabilities and advancing technological leadership.
Key people at Ultratech Capital Partners.
# Ultratech Capital Partners: Deep Tech Investor Focused on Dual-Use Innovation
Ultratech Capital Partners is a Virginia-based venture capital firm that invests in early-stage companies developing dual-use deep technologies with applications across critical sectors including artificial intelligence, quantum computing, cybersecurity, advanced materials, semiconductors, and energy.[1][3] The firm operates as the specialist US investment arm of the Damazein Family Office, combining venture capital expertise with deep government and industry relationships to identify and scale transformative technologies.[3]
The firm's mission centers on backing companies that address global challenges and national security imperatives while creating commercially viable solutions.[2] Rather than pursuing traditional venture returns alone, Ultratech emphasizes technologies with transferable applications across both government and commercial sectors—a strategic positioning that reflects the growing convergence of defense innovation and commercial technology development. The firm provides value beyond capital by helping portfolio companies navigate government go-to-market strategies and access non-dilutive funding sources, recognizing that deep tech companies often operate in complex regulatory and procurement environments.[1]
Ultratech's defining characteristic is its focus on dual-use technology—innovations that serve both national security and commercial markets simultaneously.[2][3] This thesis distinguishes the firm from traditional venture investors who typically pursue pure commercial applications. The firm targets companies in quantum information and communications, secure data networks, advanced materials, cloud and edge computing, energy generation and storage, and AI/ML systems.[3]
The firm deploys capital in the $250,000 to $2 million range, focusing on prototype and early revenue stages.[1] This sizing allows Ultratech to lead or co-lead rounds while maintaining portfolio diversification across emerging deep tech categories.
A critical differentiator is Ultratech's extensive relationship networks into government and industry, combined with deep understanding of strategic technology applications.[3] This positioning enables the firm to help portfolio companies access government contracts, grants, and procurement opportunities—a significant advantage for deep tech founders who may lack Washington relationships. The firm's track record includes over 30 deals with a data-driven approach to identifying high-potential opportunities.[2]
Beyond capital deployment, Ultratech actively assists companies in navigating government GTM and funding landscapes, particularly in accessing non-dilutive funding mechanisms like SBIR/STTR grants and defense contracts.[1] This operational support is especially valuable for deep tech founders focused on innovation rather than government relations.
Ultratech Capital operates at the intersection of three powerful trends reshaping venture capital and technology innovation:
The firm's dual-use focus reflects a fundamental shift in how governments and markets view technology development. Historically, defense and commercial innovation operated in separate ecosystems. Today, technologies like AI, quantum computing, and advanced semiconductors are simultaneously critical for national security and commercial competitiveness. Ultratech's positioning allows it to capture value across both domains, while helping founders understand that government demand can validate and fund commercial innovation.
The venture ecosystem has increasingly recognized that transformative returns often come from fundamental technology breakthroughs rather than software-as-a-service models. Ultratech's focus on quantum, semiconductors, advanced materials, and energy reflects this maturation. The firm invests in companies creating leading-edge dual-use technology that addresses key global challenges of the 21st century—positioning itself as a specialist in an increasingly crowded venture landscape.[6]
With rising geopolitical tensions and supply chain vulnerabilities, governments worldwide are actively funding technology development through both direct procurement and innovation grants. Ultratech's government relationships and expertise in non-dilutive funding access provide portfolio companies with a significant competitive advantage in accessing this capital, reducing dilution and extending runway.
Ultratech has deployed capital across 11 investments, with recent activity demonstrating sector focus and co-investor quality.[3] Notable investments include:
The firm's co-investors include strategic players like Mitsubishi Heavy Industries America, Toyota Ventures, Emerson Collective, and Union Square Ventures, indicating strong syndication relationships and validation of investment theses.[3]
Ultratech Capital Partners is well-positioned to capture significant value as deep tech innovation accelerates and government funding for critical technologies expands. The firm's unique combination of venture expertise, government relationships, and non-dilutive funding knowledge creates a defensible competitive advantage in an increasingly crowded deep tech investment landscape.
Looking ahead, several trends will likely amplify Ultratech's relevance:
As US-China competition in AI, semiconductors, and quantum computing deepens, government funding for domestic innovation will likely increase. Ultratech's existing relationships and expertise position it to direct capital toward companies solving these strategic priorities.
As portfolio companies mature from prototype to commercialization, the ability to navigate government procurement, secure non-dilutive funding, and maintain relationships across both commercial and defense sectors becomes increasingly valuable. Ultratech's operating support model addresses this critical gap.
With a track record of over 30 deals and demonstrated exits, the firm is building a reputation for identifying winners in deep tech. As portfolio companies mature and exit, successful returns will attract larger capital commitments and expand the firm's influence.
The firm's evolution will likely involve increasing capital deployment (potentially through larger fund sizes), geographic expansion beyond the US, and deeper specialization within dual-use technology categories. Ultratech represents a new model of venture capital—one that recognizes innovation no longer operates in isolated commercial or defense silos, but rather in an integrated ecosystem where government demand, national security imperatives, and commercial opportunity converge.
