This website uses cookies, pixels, and similar technologies (“cookies”), some of which are provided by third parties, to enable website features and functionality; measure, analyze, and improve site performance; enhance user experience; record user interactions; and support our advertising and marketing. We and our third-party vendors may monitor, record, and access information and data, including device data, IP address and online identifiers, referring URLs and other browsing information, for these and similar purposes. By clicking “Accept all cookies,” you agree to such purposes. If you continue to browse our site without clicking “Accept all cookies,” or if you click “Reject all cookies,” only cookies necessary to operate and enable default website features and functionalities will be deployed. If you are visiting our Site in the U.S., by using this site or clicking “Accept all cookies,” “Reject all cookies,” or “Preferences,” you acknowledge and agree to our Privacy Policy, Cookie Policy, and Terms of Use.
Accept all cookiesReject all cookiesPreferences
mission
portfolioknowledge hub
about
careers

our milestones

From ideation in 1998 to formation in 1999, IQT was founded to leverage one of America’s greatest strengths – the innovation engine of the private sector. Our purpose then – and today – is to bridge the gap between the technology needs of the intelligence and defense communities and the innovative capabilities of the private sector. Discover key milestones from IQT’s 25-year history.

2024
IQT celebrates 25 years since its inception and adds U.S. Space Force as a new partner.
2023
Steve Bowsher becomes President and CEO. IQT opens offices in Singapore and Munich, and adds the Office of Naval Research (ONR), Office of Strategic Capital, and U.S. Central Command as new partners.
2022
IQT launches its Government Platform Accelerator program to help speed up startups’ successful entry into the government market.
2020
IQT rebrands and achieves 500 total investments since its inception. IQT Emerge launches to help connect the innovation pipeline with guidance and entrepreneurship to nurture technology development to support the national security community.
2019
IQT celebrates 20 years of mission impact and opens an office in Sydney. U.S. Cyber Command becomes a new partner.
2018
IQT expands its global presence by opening an office in London.
2016
SpaceNet, a collaboration between IQT, Radiant Solutions, and NVIDIA, launches as an open-innovation project making precision-labeled, high-resolution satellite images freely available for “computer vision” research, which explores how computers can process visual information like humans.
2012
IQT launches Lab41 – which ultimately becomes part of IQT Labs – to explore how the national security community can leverage emerging machine-learning capabilities. Today, IQT Labs continues to provide hands-on exploration of emerging technologies.
2010
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) becomes an IQT partner.
2009
The National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) and the National Security Agency (NSA) become IQT partners. Additionally, IQT invests in FireEye to enhance cybersecurity in the U.S. intelligence community.
2008
Transportation Security Administration (TSA) becomes an IQT partner.
2007
IQT opens an office in Waltham, MA outside of Boston to expand its footprint on the East Coast.
2006
Chris Darby joins IQT as its new President & CEO, along with Steve Bowsher as its new Managing General Partner, rebranding the organization and shifting its focus to a strategic technology architecture and engineering approach.
2005
The Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) becomes an IQT partner.
2004
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) becomes an IQT partner.
2003
IQT invests in Keyhole, a pioneer of interactive 3D earth visualization that becomes the foundation for Google Earth in 2004. Within two weeks of adopting the technology, NIMA and the Pentagon used it to support troops in Iraq.
2001
The National Imagery and Mapping Agency (NIMA), now known as the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA), partners with IQT.
2000
IQT expands its presence by opening an office in Menlo Park, CA.
1999
In-Q-It is established to ensure that the CIA remained at the cutting edge of information technology advances and capabilities. The independent, not-for-profit strategic investment firm is soon renamed In-Q-Tel (IQT) and opens offices in Washington, D.C.

our history

Leading the charge in tech innovation for national security and economic prosperity since 1999, IQT has worked with over a dozen U.S. government partners and grown into a global investment platform.

our team

IQT’s expertise ranges from technical experts to operations personnel, and from investors to program managers—spanning a range of technologies, including space systems, AI, biotech, microelectronics, and many more.