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Texas-based defence technology company Warhound has announced a US$200 million seed round as the company details plans to rebuild America’s domestic supply of elite working dogs for US military forces, law-enforcement and emergency first response teams.
Warhound, conceived by American technology entrepreneurs Ben Lamm and Palmer Luckey, will reportedly combine de-extinction company Colossal’s enhanced genetics platform and secure biobanking capabilities of America’s top-performing dog arsenal, controlled delivery through cloning with best-in-class training and animal care.
Through a partnership, all dogs will be equipped by Anduril’s advanced cybernetic augments, software and battlefield situational awareness.
The United States Department of War’s Military Working Dog Program currently includes more than 2,200 working dog teams that are operationally critical for detection and patrol work.
“Every day, we ask dogs to put their lives on the line to protect ours. They detect explosives, protect our troops, and run toward dangers that most people are trained to run away from. Yet we're still relying on outdated approaches to breeding and training these extraordinary animals, with too many never making it through the process. We have an opportunity to fundamentally change that,” according to Ben Lamm.
“Colossal has spent years pioneering breakthroughs in genetics, cloning, and animal biology, and now we're applying that science to give these dogs the best possible chance at a long, healthy life and a successful mission.
“If we're going to ask man's best friend to protect America, we owe it to them to use every tool at our disposal to protect them, too.”
Warhound will operate under the guidance of the American Humane Society which will certify its training programs and support the reunification of retired military working dogs with their former handlers and adoption protocols.
David Spirk has been named the CEO of Warhound and the company is backed by In-Q-Tel, Sequoia Capital, ARK Invest, Franklin Templeton, 8VC, USIT, Bob Nelsen, Breyer Capital, CAZ Investments, Neogenesis, Builders VC, and Lux Capital among others.
“Our long-term goal is simple: healthier dogs, better-prepared teams, and more service members and first responders coming home safely. Leading Warhound, and strengthening America's working-dog capabilities, is an opportunity to apply my experience to a mission I care deeply about: protecting people and helping the animals who support them,” said David Spirk.
“My focus is building a team that can turn scientific advances into capabilities that work in the field.”
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