AI

Akhil Iyer

VC

Principal, Shield Capital

Special operations veteran turned national security investor

San Francisco, CA
Pre-SeedSeedSeries A
DefenseSecurityAIDeep Tech

Background

Akhil Iyer is a Principal at Shield Capital focused on sourcing and evaluating investment opportunities in AI, cybersecurity, autonomy, and space. He is a veteran of U.S. military special operations and previously served as a teaching assistant to Ash Carter at the Harvard Kennedy School. He holds degrees from Stanford University, Harvard Business School, and the Harvard Kennedy School.

Investment Focus

Stages

Pre-SeedSeedSeries A

Sectors

DefenseSecurityAIDeep Tech

Based in: San Francisco, CA (North America)

Last updated: Jun 11, 2026