Harpoon Ventures

Co-founders Larsen Jensen (Managing Partner) and Scott Salkin (General Partner) lead investment decisions. Jensen is a former Navy SEAL officer and two-time Olympic medalist; Salkin brings operating and venture experience. The partnership draws on a network that includes former In-Q-Tel executives, which influences deal evaluation and portfolio support for companies selling to the US government.

Harpoon runs a dual-use venture strategy, backing early-stage startups that sell to both commercial enterprises and US federal agencies, particularly the Department of Defense. The firm leads or co-leads seed rounds and helps portfolio companies access non-dilutive SBIR/STTR funding. Target sectors include enterprise software, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, defense technology, and space systems.

Sourcing combines standard venture networks with a distinct defense-community channel. The partnership's relationships across Naval Special Warfare, the intelligence community, and federal program offices surface technical teams solving problems that have both government and commercial applications. Harpoon also benefits from San Diego's concentration of military commands and research laboratories.

Harpoon makes direct equity investments in early-stage startups. There is no public record of the firm acting as a limited partner in other venture funds. Its model centers on taking board seats or active advisory roles in portfolio companies, specifically guiding founders through federal procurement processes that conventional venture firms rarely address.

In-Q-Tel invests on behalf of the CIA and broader intelligence community with a national-security mandate first. Harpoon is a private, independent venture firm pursuing financial returns; government revenue is one exit pathway and risk-mitigation tool among several. Several Harpoon team members previously worked at In-Q-Tel, which gives the firm fluency in government contracting but without the single-customer constraint.