DOGE alumni launch Cathedral cyber firm at $1.4B valuation
Former Department of Government Efficiency alumni have launched Cathedral, an AI cybersecurity startup valued at $1.4 billion after raising $160 million led by Andreessen Horowitz and Sequoia Capital. The firm aims to sell AI-powered offensive and defensive cyber tools to the U.S. military. The move, rooted in the department government efficiency drive known as DOGE, is already drawing investor and political attention.
Key Takeaways
- Cathedral raised $160 million at a $1.4 billion valuation in a round led by Andreessen Horowitz and Sequoia Capital, which each received board seats.
- Founders include former DOGE officials Gavin Kliger, Luke Farritor, Marko Elez, and Jack Stein.
- The startup plans AI cyber work for the U.S. military, including offensive and defensive operations focused on rivals such as China.
- Cathedral is weighing a data-center purchase or partnership for dedicated compute and keeps close Trump administration ties, with political risk if Democrats gain midterm power.
According to Reuters, people familiar with the matter said the round, company name, mission, and Elez’s role had not been disclosed previously. A Cathedral spokesperson declined to comment, and the lead investors did not respond to requests.
For more viral political and tech crossovers, see our Celebrity Breaking News hub.
Who founded Cathedral and what is the deal?
Cathedral was founded jointly by Gavin Kliger, Luke Farritor, Marko Elez, and Jack Stein, all former DOGE officials. The $160 million raise values the company at $1.4 billion, with Andreessen Horowitz and Sequoia Capital leading and taking board seats.
Investor interest follows a wave of DOGE alumni startups after the group’s 2025 federal cost-cutting and workforce restructuring. Last month, Andreessen Horowitz also led funding in Special, another DOGE-linked startup aimed at bringing that cost-cutting model into corporate settings.
What does Cathedral want from the U.S. military?
The company plans to pursue U.S. government contracts that use AI to expand military cyber capabilities. That agenda covers both offensive and defensive operations against adversaries, notably China.
As part of the build-out, Cathedral is exploring buying a data center or partnering with a provider that can supply dedicated computing power for cyber operations. The pitch sits at the intersection of national security and frontier AI infrastructure.
Why do Trump administration ties matter here?
The founding team maintains close contacts with national security officials, including at the Pentagon. Until recently, Kliger served as Chief Data Officer at the Pentagon and was involved in a publicly discussed legal dispute over military use of AI.
Farritor previously interned at SpaceX and handled cost-cutting at the General Services Administration during his DOGE tenure. Elez also worked at SpaceX before DOGE and later at the U.S. Treasury; a judge raised concerns after it emerged he had access to highly sensitive materials. He left DOGE but was later reinstated with support from President Donald Trump and the vice president.
Cathedral could win major contracts, yet faces scrutiny risk if political control shifts after the November midterms. The fundraising still signals strong confidence in DOGE alumni building defense AI businesses.