How Yurts is Revolutionizing AI for the Department of Defense
Ben Van Roo’s career path could have looked very different if not for one small detail: his eyesight. “My whole family was in the Air Force. All of them are pilots,” Van Roo shared. However, his vision didn’t meet the requirements to follow in their footsteps. Instead of taking to the skies, Van Roo has found a way to serve the military in a groundbreaking, Silicon Valley-inspired way—by founding Yurts, an AI integration platform designed for high-security environments.
“We’re the first one on a secret network for the Department of Defense,” Van Roo explained. His company’s mission? To become a key AI-powered chat assistant for the Department of Defense (DoD), complementing the Pentagon’s own AI chatbot initiative, which is currently in development (read more here).
From Military Roots to AI Innovation
Van Roo’s connection to the military runs deep. Growing up in a family of Air Force pilots, he was immersed in military culture from an early age. Later, he worked for the RAND Corporation, a nonprofit organization that provides research and analysis for policymakers. At RAND, Van Roo focused on supply chain issues for the military, traveling to conflict zones like Iraq, Afghanistan, and Kuwait. “I was nothing more than a nerd working on projects for different parts of the DoD,” he joked.
His career took a turn toward technology when he began working on machine learning projects at Chegg, an education company. He later joined Primer.ai, a company specializing in defense-focused AI. By 2017, Van Roo had identified a significant opportunity: adapting AI for older software systems in enterprise environments. “My whole bet was that these models were going to keep getting better, but someone’s going to have to say, how do we roll this out to tens of thousands of people in a very secure environment?” he said. “That’s a very different bet than some of the foundation model vendors.”
The Birth of Yurts
In August 2022, Van Roo co-founded Yurts alongside former Meta engineer Jason Schnitzer and research scientist Guruprasad Raghavan. The company has since grown rapidly, raising a $40 million Series B funding round led by XYZ Venture Capital. This brings Yurts’ total investment to $58.35 million. The company has also secured contracts with major government entities, including the U.S. Army, U.S. Air Force, and Department of Energy. Notably, Yurts has a $16 million contract with United States Special Operations Command.
Yurts currently employs 50 people, about a quarter of whom hold security clearance. The platform is designed to handle a variety of tasks, from pulling data from old reports to brainstorming use cases for military technology. “We’re just scratching the surface of the potential for enterprise-ready AI,” Van Roo said. “I’m confident that in the next 10 years, we’re probably going to get a pretty big next step-jump in the model space. And I’m not going to solve that. But I think that we have a long way to go to really achieve the value we can in enterprises.”
Competition in the AI Arms Race
Despite its impressive progress, Yurts faces stiff competition in the race to become the DoD’s AI platform of choice. Companies like Ask Sage, a generative AI firm that has already partnered with the Army, and Primer.ai, Van Roo’s former employer, are also vying for a piece of the pie. The stakes are high, as the DoD continues to explore the potential of AI to enhance its operations and decision-making processes.
What Sets Yurts Apart?
Yurts’ unique value lies in its ability to integrate AI into older, legacy systems—a challenge that many other AI companies overlook. Van Roo’s vision is to create a platform that not only leverages cutting-edge AI models but also ensures they can be deployed securely and effectively across large organizations. This focus on practical, enterprise-ready solutions has positioned Yurts as a key player in the defense AI space.
Key Takeaways
- Founder’s Background: Ben Van Roo’s military roots and experience at RAND Corporation and Primer.ai have shaped his approach to AI innovation.
- Funding and Growth: Yurts has raised $58.35 million in total funding and employs 50 people, with a significant portion holding security clearance.
- Major Contracts: The company has secured contracts with the U.S. Army, U.S. Air Force, Department of Energy, and United States Special Operations Command.
- Competitive Landscape: Yurts faces competition from companies like Ask Sage and Primer.ai in the race to become the DoD’s AI platform of choice.
- Future Outlook: Van Roo believes the next decade will bring significant advancements in AI, with Yurts playing a crucial role in enterprise adoption.
As Yurts continues to grow and innovate, it’s clear that the company is poised to make a lasting impact on the intersection of AI and national defense. With its focus on secure, enterprise-ready solutions, Yurts is not just keeping up with the AI revolution—it’s helping to lead it.
Originally Written by: Kelsey D. Atherton
