# ZeroMark, Inc.

> ZeroMark is a New York-based defense technology company building an AI targeting layer that turns ordinary infantry weapons into precision counter-drone systems. Its flagship Apex is a rifle-mounted, software-defined fire control system that uses electro-optical cameras, LiDAR and machine-vision ballistics to physically adjust a soldier's aim in real time, letting a dismounted operator hit small, fast-moving drones without specialist training. Founded in 2022 by former U.S. Navy servicemember and ex-MongoDB executive Joel Anderson, ZeroMark has raised roughly $7M in seed funding led by Ground Up Ventures and Andreessen Horowitz, followed by a 2025 strategic round, and has demonstrated its system in a U.S. Marine Corps live-fire exercise.

- **Founded:** 2022
- **Headquarters:** New York, New York, United States
- **Founders:** Joel Anderson (Founder & CEO)
- **Team size:** ~7-15 employees
- **Products:** Apex, Vanguard, Nexus
- **Notable:** Raised ~$7M seed round led by Ground Up Ventures and a16z (2024)., Demonstrated its fire control system on a U.S. Marine Corps M27 IAR in a live-fire exercise in Hawaii (October 2024)., Closed a 2025 strategic funding round to scale production after defense contract wins.

## Products & services

- **Apex** — Shoulder/rifle-mounted, software-defined fire control system that attaches to an infantry rifle in about 30 seconds. Combines electro-optical cameras, LiDAR and machine-vision ballistics with a motorized buttstock that physically adjusts the aim in real time, dramatically improving hit probability against drones.
- **Vanguard** — Turret-mounted counter-drone targeting system that extends ZeroMark's AI targeting layer to mounted platforms.
- **Nexus** — Command-and-control (C2) software integration layer that ties ZeroMark's targeting systems into broader defense command interfaces.

## Achievements

- Raised ~$7M seed round led by Ground Up Ventures and a16z (2024).
- Demonstrated its fire control system on a U.S. Marine Corps M27 IAR in a live-fire exercise in Hawaii (October 2024).
- Closed a 2025 strategic funding round to scale production after defense contract wins.
- Coined and popularized the 'handheld Iron Dome' framing for dismounted counter-drone defense.
- Expanded from a single rifle product to a three-part family: Apex, Vanguard and Nexus.

## Latest updates

- **2025-10** — Closed a strategic funding round led by Beaten Zone Venture Partners to scale production and deployment after defense contract wins.
- **2024-12** — Showcased its counter-drone gun gear publicly, drawing coverage of its smart targeting hardware.
- **2024-10** — U.S. Marines live-fired an M27 IAR equipped with the ZeroMark fire control system at Marine Corps Base Hawaii.
- **2024-05** — Announced $7M seed funding for its 'handheld Iron Dome' counter-drone fire control system.

## Links

- Website: https://zeromark.com
- LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/zeromarkinc

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/zeromark-inc
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-07-17