Ex-IBM X-Force Red leaders launch RemoteThreat with $7M pre-seed for AI offensive-operations platform

Former IBM X-Force Red leaders Chris Thompson and Shawn Jones emerged from stealth with RemoteThreat, a $7 million pre-seed startup selling an AI-driven offensive cyber platform restricted to vetted enterprises, defense contractors, and US government users.

RemoteThreat launched with $7 million in pre-seed funding from Osage University Partners and DataTribe, founded by former IBM X-Force Red leaders Chris Thompson (CEO) and Shawn Jones (CTO). Its O/C/O platform combines mission planning, command and control, cross-OS implants with in-memory execution, an initial access framework, an obfuscation pipeline, and about 1,000 tools, with AI assistants that can optionally use models from OpenAI, Anthropic, or open-weight alternatives. The company says governance features — rules of engagement, no-strike controls, and traceable evidence — are intended to constrain autonomous workflows. Reported customers include a major bank, a securities exchange, a large US healthcare company, and an AI lab. Access is limited to vetted enterprises, defense contractors, and US government customers, with a stated focus on enterprise, critical infrastructure, and US government mission teams. RemoteThreat has partnered with Talon Defense, is advised by retired US Army General Paul Nakasone's Nakasone Group, and joined SOCOM's SOF RACER consortium.

• RemoteThreat raised $7 million in pre-seed funding from Osage University Partners and DataTribe.
• Founders are Chris Thompson (CEO) and Shawn Jones (CTO), previously leaders of IBM X-Force Red.
• The O/C/O platform spans mission planning, C2, cross-OS implants with in-memory execution, an initial access framework, an obfuscation pipeline, AI assistants, and about 1,000 tools.
• AI models are optionally sourced from OpenAI, Anthropic, or open-weight alternatives.
• Governance controls include rules of engagement, no-strike controls, and traceable evidence to constrain autonomous workflows.
• Reported customers include a major bank, a securities exchange, a large US healthcare company, and an AI lab.
• Access is limited to vetted enterprises, defense contractors, and US government users; target sectors include enterprise, critical infrastructure, and US government mission teams.
• Partners and affiliations include Talon Defense, the Nakasone Group (strategic advisor; led by retired US Army General Paul Nakasone), and SOCOM's SOF RACER consortium.