8VC
8VC is a multi-stage venture capital firm that co-founds and invests in defense-technology, healthcare, and enterprise software companies, with a concentrated private portfolio across autonomous defense systems, counter-drone, and military logistics sectors.
8VC is a venture capital firm founded by Palantir co-founder Joe Lonsdale, legally structured as Eight Partners LLC and headquartered in Austin, TX. SEC filings record more than 60 fund entities with total committed capital exceeding $6 billion, all listing Lonsdale as sole executive officer 1. The firm's private defense portfolio spans autonomous naval vessels (Saronic), directed-energy counter-drone systems (Epirus), military logistics (Gallatin AI), and other defense contractors, with Alex Moore — Palantir's first employee — running 8VC Defense 2. According to FEC records and public financial disclosures, review of the fund structure indicates that 8VC co-founded Epirus through its Build program in 2018 3. 8VC's sole material public equity position is Joby Aviation, which holds $163M in DoD contracts 45.
Forbes reported in August 2024 that 8VC employs sons of two sanctioned Russian oligarchs: Jack Moshkovich (son of EU-sanctioned Vadim Moshkovich, promoted to Partner in January 2025) and Denis Aven (son of OFAC-sanctioned Petr Aven, joined in 2022 after another firm declined him over sanctions concerns) 67. Lonsdale confirmed the hires and stated the firm operates under a strict compliance framework. The US National Counterintelligence and Security Center has issued bulletins warning that foreign states use employment at investment firms to access information about defense technology companies 7. 8VC also partners with Apollo Global Management on defense, manufacturing, and energy deployment Connection #2785, and is an investor in Erebor Bank, the digital bank co-founded by Palmer Luckey and Lonsdale 8.
Key Relationships
Joe Lonsdale is 8VC's founder, managing partner, and sole executive officer on every SEC Form D filing. He co-founded Palantir Technologies with Peter Thiel in 2003 and later founded 8VC; Alex Moore, Palantir's first employee, now runs 8VC Defense 2. 8VC's defense investment strategy draws on direct experience with Palantir's government contracting model.
8VC is an early investor in Anduril Industries, the defense-technology company founded by Palmer Luckey. The 8VC–Anduril–Founders Fund investor overlap extends to Erebor Bank, which Luckey and Lonsdale co-founded with backing from Founders Fund, 8VC, and Lux Capital; the bank targets the defense-tech ecosystem for banking services 8. FEC records show Lonsdale's personal donations of $314K are distributed across members of both the Senate and House Armed Services Committees, including Cotton, Sullivan, Mullin, Scott, Ernst, Crenshaw, and Democratic Ranking Member Adam Smith 7.
Jack Moshkovich (Partner, 8VC since 2018) is the son of EU-sanctioned oligarch Vadim Moshkovich. Denis Aven (investor at 8VC since 2022) is the son of OFAC-sanctioned Alfa Group president Petr Aven; Moshkovich introduced Aven to the firm. Neither son is reported to have worked on defense-related deals at 8VC, and no financial relationship between the sanctioned fathers and 8VC has been documented 67.
In October 2025, 8VC entered a strategic partnership with Apollo Global Management to jointly deploy capital in defense, manufacturing, and energy Connection #2785.
8VC
Financial Activity
8VC's SEC-registered fund infrastructure comprises more than 60 entities, all Delaware limited partnerships or LLCs, all headquartered at 907 S Congress Ave, Austin TX. Fund VI LP ($998M offering, filed January 2025), Fund V LP ($880M), and multiple prior vintages are registered under CIK numbers 0002041827, 0002051048, 0002056351, and 0002076994. Defense-sector special purpose vehicles include Build Saronic SPV II LLC ($53.35M offering, $47M sold across 27 investors), ERSA SPV LLC ($42.15M fully sold, 30 investors, Epirus-related), and EPSD SPV LLC ($5M, Epirus). Six AI Fund vehicles and multiple Entrepreneurs Fund entities complete the structure 1.
8VC GP I LLC (CIK 0001667766) holds Joby Aviation as its sole material public equity position. The position peaked at $101.2M (9.6M shares) in Q2 2025, was halved to 4.8M shares ($77.4M) in Q3 2025, and stood at $63.3M at year-end 2025. Joby holds $163M in DoD contracts under USAF Agility Prime and USSOCOM/CENTCOM logistics programs at MacDill AFB; it partnered with L3Harris on a hybrid VTOL program for military use in August 2025 45. Review of SEC 13F filings indicates that 8VC's public equity disclosures do not include Palantir equity despite Lonsdale's co-founder role, as those positions are likely held through personal accounts or limited-partnership interests below the 13F reporting threshold 5.
Counterintelligence Context
8VC's defense portfolio companies hold classified government contracts. Anduril Industries has $1.43B in all-time DoD obligations and $862M with DHS; Palantir Technologies holds a $10B Army IDIQ and $2.31B in all-time DoD obligations. Saronic, Epirus, Chaos Industries, Gallatin AI, and Overland AI represent additional defense-contract exposure across 8VC's private portfolio 2.
The US National Counterintelligence and Security Center has issued public bulletins warning that foreign intelligence services use employment at investment firms — not direct financial investment — to access information about defense technology companies and their classified programs. 8VC's Build program recruits personnel described on 8VC's own website as 'Navy SEALs, Nobel winners, and Palantir alumni' — individuals with operational knowledge of defense systems. Under the NCSC framework, an analyst or partner with board-level access to a defense contractor, regardless of personal conduct, constitutes a potential access point 7.
Jack Moshkovich's father Vadim Moshkovich founded Rusagro and, per InformNapalm reporting, also founded AssistAgro, a Ukrainian drone production company. Denis Aven's father Petr Aven was co-founder and longtime president of Alfa Group, one of Russia's largest financial-industrial consortia, with documented contacts to senior FSB and Kremlin officials per the OFAC designation. Lonsdale stated no evidence exists of a financial relationship between either father and 8VC, and confirmed a strict compliance framework. No primary-source evidence contradicts this statement 67.
Founders Fund, 8VC, and Palantir Technologies share three co-founders — Thiel, Lonsdale, and Rabois — who operate across investment, government-placement, and financial infrastructure functions including Erebor Bank 82.
All Connections
8 total
All Connections
8 totalLonsdale founded 8VC; Palantir co-founder; defense portfolio includes Epirus, Saronic, Overland AI
Partner at 8VC since 2018 (analyst->principal->partner Jan 2025), son of sanctioned Vadim Moshkovich
Investor at 8VC since 2022, son of OFAC-sanctioned Petr Aven (Alfa Group)
Founder and Managing Partner of 8VC; sole executive officer on all Form D filings
8VC investor in Palantir; Lonsdale co-founded Palantir; Alex Moore was Palantir employee #1
8VC early investor in Anduril; defense technology company with billion-dollar Pentagon contracts
Strategic partnership Oct 2025 to deploy several billion dollars in defense, manufacturing, energy
8VC sole public equity holding: 4.8M shares of Joby Aviation ($63M), a defense eVTOL company with $163M in DoD contracts
All Findings
8 total
All Findings
8 totalfinancial (4)
8VC defense portfolio: Joe Lonsdale (Palantir co-founder) is founding partner. Key defense investments: Epirus Inc (drone detection/intercept, co-founded by Lonsdale 2018), Saronic (robotic boat drones, seed 2022, raising M at B), Overland AI (autonomous defense vehicles), Terra Industries (Nigerian drone startup, .8M). Seeking B for Fund VI. Lonsdale FEC donations: K+ total, heavily Republican -- .8K Trump 47 Committee, K RNC, K Grow The Majority, K NRCC.
8VC manages 6B+ in committed capital across 60+ SEC-registered fund entities; Fund VI (998M, Jan 2025) and Entrepreneurs Fund VI (10.5M); all Delaware LPs/LLCs headquartered at 907 S Congress Ave, Austin TX
SEC EDGAR shows 60+ 8VC fund entities with Form D filings. Key funds: Fund VI LP (998M, filed 2025-01-29, CIK 0002041827), Fund V LP (880M, 2023), Fund IV LP, Fund III LP, Fund II LP. Defense-related SPVs: Build Saronic SPV II LLC (53.35M offering/47M sold, 27 investors), EPSD SPV LLC (5M Epirus), ERSA SPV LLC (42.15M fully sold, 30 investors). Also: 6 AI Fund vehicles, multiple Entrepreneurs Funds, Access Funds. All funds list Joseph Lonsdale as sole executive officer (Managing Member of General Partner). Legal name: Eight Partners LLC. Formed in Delaware.
8VC GP I (CIK 0001667766, Joe Lonsdale) held Joby Aviation (JOBY) as its sole material public equity position across Q4 2024-Q4 2025. Halved position from 9.6M to 4.8M shares between Q2-Q3 2025. Values: Q4 2024 $78.0M (9.6M shares), Q1 2025 $57.8M, Q2 2025 $101.2M, Q3 2025 $77.4M (4.8M shares), Q4 2025 $63.3M. Joby has $163M in DoD contracts (USAF Agility Prime, USSOCOM logistics). Partnered with L3Harris on hybrid VTOL for military in Aug 2025.
8VC's entire 13F public equity portfolio is a single stock: Joby Aviation. Across Q4 2024-Q4 2025, 8VC held only Joby plus one micro-cap biotech (Senti Biosciences, dropped in Q4 2025). This is extraordinary concentration -- Lonsdale's fund has $63M in a single defense eVTOL company and nothing else. Joby has $163M in DoD contracts (Agility Prime, USSOCOM/CENTCOM logistics at MacDill AFB) and partnered with L3Harris on hybrid VTOL for military (Aug 2025). 8VC sold half its Joby position (9.6M to 4.8M shares) between Q2-Q3 2025.
relationship (1)
8VC defense portfolio includes Palantir, Anduril, Saronic (4B valuation), Epirus (550M+ raised), Chaos Industries (4.5B valuation), Gallatin AI, CX2, iCOMAT, and Terra; Alex Moore (Palantir employee #1) runs 8VC Defense
8VC is one of the most concentrated defense-tech investors in Silicon Valley. Alex Moore, first employee of Palantir Technologies, runs Defense for 8VC and sits on boards for Palantir, Saronic, Epirus, Chaos, Gallatin, CX2, iCOMAT, and Terra. Saronic builds autonomous naval vessels (4B valuation). Epirus develops directed energy anti-drone systems (250M Series D, 550M+ total, co-led by 8VC). Chaos Industries builds defense technology (4.5B valuation after Series D). Gallatin does AI-fueled military logistics (15M seed from 8VC). Terra is Nigerian drone startup. Combined these companies hold billions in Pentagon/DOD contracts.
intelligence (3)
8VC deep dive: Joe Lonsdale's $6B+ VC firm employs sons of two sanctioned Russian oligarchs while investing heavily in US defense companies. Jack Moshkovich (son of Vadim Moshkovich, sanctioned by EU/UK/Switzerland/Canada/Australia) joined as analyst 2018, obtained US permanent residency 2024. Denis Aven (son of Petr Aven, Alfa Group co-founder, sanctioned by EU/UK/US) joined 2022 — hired after another PE firm refused him due to sanctions risk. 8VC defense portfolio: Palantir, Anduril, Saronic (robotic boats), Epirus (counter-drone), Overland AI (autonomous vehicles), Terrahaptix (Nigerian drone startup, $11.8M). Also investor in Erebor Bank. Lonsdale FEC: $80.5K in 2025, all Republican.
Russian oligarch connections: Jack Moshkovich: Stanford grad, joined 8VC 2018 as analyst. Father Vadim Moshkovich founded Rusagro agricultural conglomerate. Sanctioned by EU, UK, Switzerland, Canada, Australia after Russia's 2022 Ukraine invasion for alleged Kremlin ties. Jack obtained US permanent residency summer 2024. Denis Aven: Joined 8VC 2022. Father Petr Aven is president of Alfa Group (one of Russia's largest financial/industrial consortia). Sanctioned by EU and UK pre-2023, US blacklisted 2023. Per Forbes, Denis was hired after another PE firm refused him due to sanctions concerns. US National Counterintelligence and Security Center issued bulletin warning Silicon Valley about foreign countries using investment firms to access classified data/technologies. 8VC's defense portfolio includes companies with classified government contracts. Lonsdale's response: 'strict compliance and legal framework.' No evidence fathers have financial relationship with 8VC. But the counterintelligence concern isn't about money — it's about access to information about defense technology companies through employment at the fund. Political donations (FEC 2025): Joe Lonsdale: $80.5K total, all Republican - $10K WinRed, $10K Cotton Majority Committee - $5K each: WinRed, Republican Majority Fund, Restore Trust PAC - $3.5K each: multiple individual Republican campaigns (Womack, Risch, Collins, Mike Lee) - Pattern: strategic donations to defense-relevant committee members 8VC model: 25-30% of capital dedicated to co-founding startups through 'Build' program. Recruits 'top-1% specialists like Navy SEALs, Nobel winners, and Palantir alumni.' Focus on 'national capability' companies.
8VC employs sons of two sanctioned Russian oligarchs: Jack Moshkovich (son of Vadim Moshkovich, EU-sanctioned Rusagro founder) and Denis Aven (son of Petr Aven, US/EU/UK-sanctioned Alfa Group co-founder)
Jack Moshkovich joined 8VC as analyst in 2018 after Stanford BS in Management Science & Engineering and McKinsey Moscow office. Now promoted to Partner (Jan 2025). Denis Aven joined 8VC in 2022 (after Yale BA, Lazard, Warburg Pincus, Harvard MBA with Distinction). Forbes reported Aug 2024. Lonsdale confirmed hiring, stated strict compliance framework. Neither son reportedly worked on military-related deals. Moshkovich introduced Aven to 8VC. Aven was hired after another PE firm refused him due to sanctions fears.
8VC-Erebor Bank connection: 8VC is investor in Erebor, a digital bank co-founded by Palmer Luckey (Anduril founder) with OCC charter, 635M capital, 4.35B valuation; backed by Founders Fund, 8VC, Lux Capital
Erebor Bank secured first new US bank charter under Trump second term. OCC approval plus FDIC deposit insurance. Digital-first bank focused on crypto, AI, defense, and advanced manufacturing sectors. Raised 350M at 4.35B valuation led by Lux Capital with participation from Founders Fund, 8VC, Haun Ventures. Co-founded by Palmer Luckey (also founder of Oculus VR and Anduril Industries). Aims to serve startups and venture-backed companies post-SVB collapse. 8VC thus has investment overlap with Anduril (defense) and Erebor (banking for defense-tech ecosystem).