Valarian, a data management startup founded by Max Buchan and Josh McLaughlin, recently emerged from stealth mode with a strong focus on providing secure solutions for governments and enterprises. The company, which has offices in London, announced an additional $7 million in funding, bringing its seed round total to $20 million. This round was led by national security-focused firm Scout Ventures and Artis Ventures, with participation from Gokul Rajaram, a board member of Pinterest and Coinbase. Buchan, the CEO, drew inspiration for Valarian from his experiences at Palantir, where he observed the ease with which sensitive data could fall into the wrong hands. McLaughlin, the chief operating officer, brings a unique blend of military and business experience, having served as a ranger in the US Army and worked in business development at Palantir in Qatar. The duo met in Doha and decided to collaborate, forming Valarian in 2020, with McLaughlin joining in 2023. Valarian’s flagship product, ACRA, is designed to manage and protect data by keeping it separated and tightly controlled, even when stored in the cloud or accessed by third-party applications. For instance, an organization can use ACRA to securely store and retain internal communications across various digital platforms, ensuring compliance and maintaining records. ACRA can also handle privileged government communications from apps like Signal or WhatsApp, keeping them secure within a specified geographic region. The new funds will enable Valarian to expand its operations, particularly into the defense sector. This expansion follows significant interest from Valarian's first government customer, although the identity of this client remains undisclosed. The US government has expressed particular interest in ACRA's capabilities to enhance national sovereignty. McLaughlin and Buchan aim to leverage their company's position in Europe to cater to growing defense spending across NATO countries, while also strengthening their presence in the US market. Scout Ventures’ partner Cody Huggins, a former ranger instructor, is bullish on Valarian’s potential to serve both commercial and government clients. He noted that the company’s dual-use strategy, which allows it to operate in multiple sectors, provides a buffer against the volatile nature of defense-focused investments. Huggins believes Valarian’s European base gives it a competitive edge, enabling it to sell across Europe and globally while remaining attractive to US customers. In the commercial sector, Valarian faces competition from companies like Veriti, which offers a security posture management platform, and Varonis Systems, a publicly traded company with a robust data management security platform. However, Buchan is confident that ACRA’s unique features and the team’s combined expertise will set Valarian apart and attract government and enterprise clients alike. Industry insiders emphasize the strategic importance of dual-use technology in the current landscape. Palantir, a leading example, successfully operates in both government and healthcare sectors. Similarly, Scale AI, a startup known for providing training data to companies like OpenAI, recently secured a deal with the US Department of Defense. These trends highlight the growing demand for versatile, secure data management solutions that can serve both public and private sector needs. Gokul Rajaram, who invested in Valarian, highlighted the startup's innovative approach to data security and its potential to disrupt the market. With increasing concerns over data breaches and the need for robust data management in a globalized world, Valarian is poised to make a significant impact. The company’s strong leadership and solid financial backing make it a promising player in the field, capable of addressing the complex challenges of data sovereignty and security.