Rune, a defense technology startup, has emerged from stealth mode with a $6.2 million seed funding round, led by Andreessen Horowitz. The company, based in Roslyn, Virginia, was founded in 2024 by former Anduril employees David Tuttle and Peter Goldsborough. Rune’s mission focuses on developing software designed to modernize and streamline military field logistics.
Participating in the funding round were Point72 Ventures, XYZ Venture Capital, and several defense industry executives, including Gokul Subramanian, senior VP of software engineering at Anduril.
Tuttle, co-founder and CEO of Rune, explained that the current method for managing military supplies and resources is outdated. “The current process of deciding whether a particular unit needs more food, fuel, or ammunition is almost entirely a manual, human-centric process’ that ‘runs off Excel spreadsheets,””
Rune’s software, named TyrOS after the Norse god of war, addresses these inefficiencies. TyrOS gathers data manually entered by frontline units and uses this information to track supplies and predict future resupply needs, especially in environments where resources and location are constrained. Rune is incorporating AI into the software to enhance its predictive modeling capabilities. Tuttle mentioned that they are also exploring potential partnerships with “larger AI providers.”
The 11-person company has already developed a prototype of TyrOS, which has been tested in training exercises by military personnel. While the current software relies on manual data entry, TyrOS has the capability to integrate with government-owned software, allowing for automated logistics data collection. This functionality is expected to become a standard feature as other defense tech companies develop similar technologies.
TyrOS is specifically designed to meet the unique operational challenges of the military, including those presented by areas with limited or disrupted communication. It also enables military units to share data, ensuring connectivity even if one unit’s connection is compromised.
This investment in Rune reflects a broader trend of increased investment in defense tech startups from Silicon Valley, with investors recognizing the importance of strengthening national security and modernizing military capabilities. Chris Morales, a partner at Point72 Ventures and a veteran of the US Navy, noted, “What we’re seeing is a moment in time where technology can shift the balance between countries. And we’re seeing teams that can actually take advantage of the moment.”
Before co-founding Rune, Tuttle led the command and control hardware business at Anduril, where he met Goldsborough. Tuttle’s background includes experience at the Joint Special Operations Command and in investment banking at Citi, as well as serving as a field artillery officer in the US Army. Goldsborough also worked in command and control at Anduril, where he was a chief engineer.
The co-founders plan to use the seed funding to expand their engineering, business development, and product teams. Tuttle said, “July Fourth was actually our first official day as Rune employees, which is pretty cool. We’ve been off to the races since.”
