Summary:

In today’s episode, Les speaks with Chris Peterson, co-founder and CEO of Radicl, and a pioneer in cybersecurity innovation. Chris shares his inspiring journey from early days at Price Waterhouse to co-founding LogRhythm, and now leading Radicl - a company on a mission to bring military-grade cybersecurity to small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs), especially those in the defense industrial base (DIB). With humility, vision, and deep industry experience, Chris talks about the challenges of cybersecurity for SMBs, the promise of AI in threat detection, and the principles that drive Radicl’s product and culture.

Here’s a closer look at the episode:

1. Chris’s Cybersecurity Roots

 * Grew up curious and mischievous - early hacking instincts emerged from pushing boundaries.
 * First tech job at Price Waterhouse, where he was inspired by early internet penetration testing.
 * Mentored by pioneers like George Kurtz (founder of CrowdStrike) and Ron Gula.
 * Early work included database security assessments and automated audit tools.

2. Building LogRhythm

 * Co-founded LogRhythm after stints at Counterpane and Tenable.
 * Bootstrapped early development by selling his home and self-funding the venture.
 * Partnered with Phil Villella (nuclear physicist) and Andy Grolnick (CEO) to scale the company.
 * Lessons from early days: founder commitment, frugality, focus on product-market fit.
 * LogRhythm grew to 500 employees before exiting via private equity in 2018.

3. The Genesis of Radicl

 * Founded Radicl to address cybersecurity gaps in SMBs within the defense supply chain.
 * Inspired by the SolarWinds hack and national security threats.
 * Assembled a founding team including his brother Matt and a former fighter pilot.
 * Mission: protect under-defended SMBs in DIB against industrial espionage.

4. The Opportunity and Market Need

 * DIB SMBs are often unable to afford or operate traditional cybersecurity solutions.
 * Barriers include tight margins, complex compliance (e.g. CMMC), and lack of in-house talent.
 * Advances in cloud, automation, and AI now make affordable, scalable solutions viable.
 * Radicl addresses both compliance operations and 24/7 security operations via software + human hybrid model.

5. Radicl’s Product and Platform

 * Delivers “virtual SOC” capabilities—blending human expertise with AI and automation.
 * Handles CMMC readiness, threat detection, incident response, and vulnerability management.
 * Designed for transparency: customers can engage with Radicl’s ops team in-platform.
 * AI-driven agents are increasingly being introduced to reduce cost and improve response times.

6. Looking Ahead

 * Preparing for a Series A raise in the next 4–6 months to accelerate R&D investment.
 * Focused on doubling down on AI innovation and expanding platform features.
 * Vision: democratize advanced cybersecurity for SMBs while delivering elite protection to the DIB.
 * Chris aims to balance company building with family, health, and meditation—striving for better life integration as a second-time founder.

Resources:

Website: 

 * RADICL
   * https://www.linkedin.com/company/radicl-defense/  [https://www.linkedin.com/company/radicl-defense/]
   * https://radicl.com/
 * Chris Peterson
   * https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrispetersen1/ 
   * https://radicl.com/bio-chris-petersen 

Chris Peterson (Radicl) // Building Military-Grade Cybersecurity for SMBs

In this episode of Found in the Rockies, Les Craig sits down with Arthur Karell, Partner at First In, a venture firm investing at the intersection of cybersecurity, defense tech, and data intelligence. Arthur shares his unconventional journey from international law to the Marine Corps to scaling startups and leading M&A at Anduril, before transitioning to early-stage investing. He unpacks the realities of venture returns in defense tech, the difference between strategic and tactical problems, and why First In aims to build enduring companies—not just chase flashy innovations. With sharp insight and mission-driven conviction, Arthur offers a candid, inspiring look at what it means to empower entrepreneurs who secure national freedom.

Here’s a closer look at the episode:

1. Arthur’s Career Journey

 * Grew up in Arlington, VA; studied at Harvard and earned a law degree from UVA.
 * International corporate law with a focus on the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.
 * Service in the Marine Corps post-9/11.
 * Transitioned to startups, joining FiscalNote post-seed as one of the first employees.

2. Lessons from Operating and M&A

 * Helped scale FiscalNote through aggressive M&A strategy—tucking in niche data companies.
 * Applied similar playbook at Anduril, crafting their corporate development team and deals.
 * How defense tech M&A must align with procurement timelines and gate reviews.
 * Why successful acquisitions hinge on founder-engineer-product fit and integration.

3. Investment Philosophy at First In

 * The focus on being truly “first in” to high-potential, early-stage defense tech startups.
 * Strategic problems vs. tactical ones, to drive high-leverage outcomes.
 * The importance of stage specificity and clear risk-reward underwriting.
 * Is venture capital for every founder?

4. Industry Insights & Emerging Themes

 * Tailwinds in AI applications and industrial automation across defense sectors.
 * Momentum in cybersecurity as go-to-market talent shifts to early stage.
 * DoD’s structural challenges—startups must work with the system, not against it.
 * Arthur’s belief that the U.S. has latent industrial capacity—what’s needed is political and contracting will.

Resources:

Website: https://wearefirstin.com/ 

Arthur LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/arthurkarell/ 

FirstIn LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/first-in/ 

Arthur Karell (FirstIn) \\ Being “First In” on DefenseTech

In this episode of Found in the Rockies, Les Craig sits down with Logan Selby and Kevin Larrabee of Datashapes AI—two veterans turned tech innovators who are redefining how artificial intelligence is applied to the electromagnetic spectrum. From battlefield-tested insights to real-world commercial applications, the conversation dives into drone detection, spectrum awareness, and what it means to build a dual-use defense tech company. With 21 patents and a mission-first mentality, Datashapes is arming the next generation of warfighters—and industries—with actionable signal intelligence.

Here’s a closer look at the episode:

 * Founders’ Backgrounds: Logan Selby and Kevin Larrabee share their journeys from military intelligence and operations research to leading a cutting-edge defense tech startup.
 * Mission-Driven Innovation: Datashapes AI is revolutionizing how AI is applied to the electromagnetic spectrum, particularly in electronic warfare and signal intelligence.
 * Unique AI Approach: Unlike traditional LLMs, Datashapes uses a proprietary, vector-based AI system focused on real-time waveform analysis—not text prediction.
 * Dual-Use Technology: While rooted in defense, the company is expanding its signal detection and analysis tools into commercial sectors like public safety, sports venues, and infrastructure.
 * Drone Detection & Threat Mitigation: The conversation explores the growing problem of drone-based threats and how Datashapes is providing early warning solutions through spectrum analysis.
 * Product Evolution: The team explains their transition from software-only to launching Sentinel, a hardware solution designed for field use and rapid deployment.
 * Iterative Development with End-Users: Engineers work side-by-side with warfighters during exercises to rapidly integrate user feedback into the product roadmap.
 * Bridging the Government-Startup Gap: Insights on building trust with military users and navigating the challenge of defense procurement as a tech startup.
 * Company Strategy & Culture: The team emphasizes their mission-first culture, recent HQ move to Charlottesville, and focus on real-world impact over Silicon Valley hype.
 * Trust and Transparency: Emphasis on auditable AI decisions to foster user confidence, especially in high-stakes defense environments.

Resources:

Website: https://www.datashapesai.com/ 

Kevin LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-larrabee/ 

Logan LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/logan-d-selby-phd-a433ab35/ 

Datashapes LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/datashapesai/ 

#FoundInTheRockies #NextFrontierCapital #DefenseTech #AIInnovation #GovTech #Datashapes 



Logan and Kevin (Datashapes) \\ Defense Tech Built for Warfighters

In today’s episode, Les is joined by John and Levi, the co-founders of 4th State Communications, a Wyoming-based defense technology company. They delve into their backgrounds in the Marine Corps, experiences in the Warfighting Lab, and the inspiration behind their startup. The conversation explores the critical challenges of military communications in denied and austere environments and how their company is developing innovative solutions to improve battlefield connectivity. John and Levi emphasize the significance of dual-use technology, leveraging both military and commercial applications. They introduce "virtual satellite" technology, which allows for long-range, infrastructure-independent communication by manipulating the atmosphere—a capability that has potential benefits for both defense operations and the financial sector.

Resources:

Website: https://www.4thstatecomm.com/ 

John’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnmedwardsii/ 

Levi’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/levi-kunkel-997b0a56/ 

4th State LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/fourth-state-communications/ 



John & Levi (4th State Communications) \\ Revolutionizing Battlefield Communications Forever

In today’s episode, Les sits down with Sean Leahy and John Price from HighGround. the conversation delves into the founders’ unique backgrounds—from military service and government intelligence to data science and entrepreneurial ventures—and how these experiences inform their ambitious vision. HighGround seeks to create a centralized platform, similar to Bloomberg for equities, providing comprehensive market intelligence for defense and national security sectors. The episode highlights the challenges of navigating complex government systems, the evolving defense tech landscape, and the founders’ commitment to simplifying access to public data for transformative impact. Their mission underscores the potential for democratizing information to drive innovation and improve outcomes for both government and private entities. Here’s a closer look at the episode: John Price shares his background, including his upbringing in Colorado, his father's career on Wall Street, and his early fascination with technology. Sean Leahy shares his upbringing in Northern Virginia, his experience at the Pentagon after 9/11, and his career as a government contractor. Sean and John discuss the early days of HighGround, including their initial 12-slide pitch deck and their commitment to the venture. High Ground's Vision and Market Transformation Impact on Emerging Defense Tech Companies and Investors Broader impact of High Ground on the defense industry, including potential reinvigoration and innovation in technology development. Thoughts on dual-use technology, the future of the defense industry, and the potential impact of High Ground. Resources: Sean Leahy LinkedIn - https://linkedin.com/in/seanleahyctg John Price LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-a-p-b8a376b/

Sean & John (HighGround) \\ Transforming Defense Tech Markets

In today’s episode, Les talks with Kenny Scott, the founder of Paramify. Kenny shares his journey from initially disliking compliance and GRC work to eventually building a successful SaaS company that automates and streamlines these processes. He discusses his background in consulting and cybersecurity, his brief stint running a hedge fund, and the pivotal moment when he decided to create a solution to the pain points he experienced in the GRC space. Throughout the conversation, Kenny emphasizes the importance of relationships, prioritizing family, and leveraging technology to enable security professionals to focus on more strategic initiatives. Kenny talks about the importance of balancing work and family and predicts a future where AI will play a crucial role in enhancing cybersecurity. Here’s a closer look at the episode: Kenny’s background, mentioning his initial interest in finance and his transition to programming. Kenny discusses his career progression, including roles at Google, American Express, and Adobe, where he worked on organizational risk management. Kenny reflects on the challenges and rewards of his career, emphasizing the importance of solving real problems. Kenny’s thoughts on the significance of governance, risk, and compliance (GRC) and the growing demand for security services. Kenny dives into the complexities of FedRAMP, explaining its purpose and the rigorous process involved. Kenny talks about the early days of Paramify, including the search for talented developers and the initial success with small startups. Kenny highlights the importance of relationships and the support from early clients like Palo Alto Networks. Kenny provides an update on Paramify's current status, including their FedRAMP High audit and the growth of their client base. Resources: Website: https://www.paramify.com/ Kenny LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kenny-g-scott/ Paramify LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/paramify/ Kenny Twitter: https://x.com/kenny_g_scott

Kenny Scott (Paramify) \\ Automating Compliance's Tedious Grind

In today’s episode, Les talks with Orlando Zambrano, a West Point graduate and former infantry officer, who discusses his journey from serving in the 1/73 Airborne Brigade to working at the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU). DIU, established in 2015, aims to integrate commercial technology into defense solutions. Orlando highlights DIU's three phases: 1.0 focused on building Silicon Valley links, 2.0 on rapid prototyping, and 3.0 on strategic impact at scale. Orlando discusses DIU's role in leveraging private investment and AI to enhance military capabilities, aiming for rapid adaptation in response to evolving threats.



Here’s a closer look at the episode:

 * Origins and Background of Orlando Zambrano  [https://otter.ai/u/BIx49CttHodNvmZ_jgLr9970SHU?tab=summary&t=0s]
 * Orlando recounts his upbringing in Florida and Venezuela, influenced by his parents' immigrant backgrounds and his early interest in service and leadership.
 * Military Service and Early Career  [https://otter.ai/u/BIx49CttHodNvmZ_jgLr9970SHU?tab=summary&t=436s]
 * Orlando’s years in management consulting at McKinsey before transitioning to roles in the startup ecosystem, focusing on autonomy companies.
 * Orlando’s decision to join the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) as a contractor, driven by the desire to contribute to national security and defense innovation.
 * The importance of DIU's dual-fluency team members who can engage effectively with both the DoD and the commercial technology sector.
 * DIU's history and mission, and the importance of harnessing commercial technology to solve warfighter problems.
 * Examples of DIU Projects and Successes
 * The role of DIU in creating pathways for private investment and supporting the growth of defense tech companies.
 * Future of Autonomy and AI in Defense  [https://otter.ai/u/BIx49CttHodNvmZ_jgLr9970SHU?tab=summary&t=2460s]
 * Orlando shares his admiration for the talented and patriotic people he works with at DIU, who are committed to maintaining the U.S. technological edge.

Resources:

DIU Website: https://www.diu.mil/

Orlando LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/orzambrano/ 

DIU LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/diux/ 

Orlando Zambrano (Defense Innovation Unit) \\ How the DIU is Harnessing Commercial Tech for National Security

Orlando Zambrano (Defense Innovation Unit) \\ How the DIU is Harnessing Commercial Tech for National Security Summary: In today’s episode, Les talks with Orlando Zambrano, a West Point graduate and former infantry officer, who discusses his journey from serving in the 1/73 Airborne Brigade to working at the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU). DIU, established in 2015, aims to integrate commercial technology into defense solutions. Orlando highlights DIU's three phases: 1.0 focused on building Silicon Valley links, 2.0 on rapid prototyping, and 3.0 on strategic impact at scale. Orlando discusses DIU's role in leveraging private investment and AI to enhance military capabilities, aiming for rapid adaptation in response to evolving threats. Here’s a closer look at the episode: Origins and Background of Orlando Zambrano Orlando recounts his upbringing in Florida and Venezuela, influenced by his parents' immigrant backgrounds and his early interest in service and leadership. Military Service and Early Career Orlando’s years in management consulting at McKinsey before transitioning to roles in the startup ecosystem, focusing on autonomy companies. Orlando’s decision to join the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) as a contractor, driven by the desire to contribute to national security and defense innovation. The importance of DIU's dual-fluency team members who can engage effectively with both the DoD and the commercial technology sector. DIU's history and mission, and the importance of harnessing commercial technology to solve warfighter problems. Examples of DIU Projects and Successes The role of DIU in creating pathways for private investment and supporting the growth of defense tech companies. Future of Autonomy and AI in Defense Orlando shares his admiration for the talented and patriotic people he works with at DIU, who are committed to maintaining the U.S. technological edge. Resources: DIU Website: https://www.diu.mil/ Orlando LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/orzambrano/ DIU LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/diux/

Orlando Zambrano (Defense Innovation Unit)

Garrett Smith (Reveal) \\ Marine-Turned-Founder Revolutionizes Defense Technology In today’s episode, Garrett Smith, CEO of Reveal Technologies, discussed his journey from the Marine Corps to founding a defense tech startup in Bozeman, Montana. Garrett, a linguistics graduate with a background in Mandarin, transitioned from government service to Silicon Valley, where he focused on drone technology. Reveal Technologies developed Farsight, a software that creates 3D maps from drone video in real-time, enhancing situational awareness for warfighters. Here’s a closer look at the episode: Garrett Smith's Background and Early Life Enlistment in the Marine Corps post-9/11 and his decision to pursue higher education at Stanford University. Garrett explains his undergraduate degree in linguistics with an emphasis on Mandarin, which he learned while serving as a Mormon missionary in Taiwan. Transition to Silicon Valley and Early Career Garrett discusses the decision to leave government for the tech startup world, influenced by the potential for greater impact and ownership in tech startups. Inspiration for Reveal Technologies Garrett explains the concept of photogrammetry and how Reveal Technologies' software, Farsight, uses it to create 3D maps from drone video in real-time. Future of Defense Technology and Reveal's Vision Garrett reflects on the broader implications of defense technology innovation, drawing parallels to the Cold War era and the current geopolitical landscape. Community Building and Future of Tech Hubs Les and Garrett discuss the future of defense technology and the potential for Reveal Technologies to continue innovating in the space. Resources: Website: https://www.revealtech.ai/ Garrett LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wgarrettsmith/ Reveal LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/reveal-technology/posts/?feedView=all

Garrett Smith (Reveal) \\ Marine-Turned-Founder Revolutionizes De

In today’s episode of Found in the Rockies, Les spoke with France Hoang, co-founder of BoodleAI. France and Les shared their experiences and insights on optimizing AI models for efficient use in Boodle, an AI-powered chatbot. Les and France shared their experiences in the military and government, highlighting the differences in their paths and the lessons they learned about service, sacrifice, and debt. They also share their insights on entrepreneurship and investment, emphasizing the importance of culture, trust, and finding the right fit in the investment process.



Here’s a closer look at the episode:

 * France Wong shares his origin story and unique career path, from humble beginnings to co-founding Bucha Box.ai.
 * France’s Military service before and after 9/11, including deployment to Bosnia and White House experience.
 * France shares insights on entrepreneurship, highlighting the importance of a strong team and effective execution.
 * France emphasized culture as a hiring advantage, interviewing candidates on why they wouldn't join the company.
 * Entrepreneurship, fear of failure, and overcoming setbacks.
 * Bootstrapping an aviation company, raising investment.
 * Entrepreneurship, fundraising, and AI technology.
 * Using AI for investment analysis, with emphasis on personalization and goal-oriented approach.
 * AI language models and their applications in higher education.



Resources:

Website: https://boodle.ai/ 

France LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/franceqhoang/ 

France Twitter: https://x.com/fqhoang 



France Hoang (Boodle.ai)-From the White House to the Battlefield

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