Starcycle

Overview

Problem Regulated, multiparty workflows (procurement, IP diligence) create cognitive load, rework, and opaque handoffs. Policy shifts outrun templates; rationale buried in email. Cycles stretch; fielding slips.

Solution Starcycle is an AI-first, human-in-the-loop platform that turns policy into in-flow guardrails using a policy-aware KG and OODA loops—delivering first-pass packages, explainable decisions, and automated handoffs. Modular extension: Defense OS.

Field Validation Production deployment in fintech on the same engine. Defense: operational prototypes for procurement and IP/patent diligence; pre-production on-prem/air-gapped builds available.

Technology Maturity (TRL) Core engine: production-proven (commercial). Defense OS: TRL 5–6. Next: limited deployment with a program office in a relevant DoD environment (toward TRL-7).

Strategic Advantage Explainable-by-design with chain-of-custody; composable OODA atoms; versioned FAR/DFARS/ITAR/EAR; IBM & Red Hat deployments (gov clouds, on-prem, HPC); playbooks from fintech.

Go-to-Market Access AFWERX/SBIR/DIU; primes; direct program offices; SigmaBlox.

Dual-Use Potential CPA SaaS (Q3 2025); public-sector procurement; private equity; utilities/critical infra; healthcare; enterprise GRC.

Team Luke Schantz (CTO), Jaclyn Sui (CEO), and founding engineers in HITL/KG automation; IBM & Red Hat ecosystem.

Competitive Landscape GovCon suites, RPA, and data platforms solve slices. Starcycle unifies KG + OODA + HITL for first-pass, auditable packages; deployable on-prem/air-gapped.

Primary User Contracting specialists/KOs, PMO leads, capture managers; legal/compliance analysts.

User-Critical Problem Need real-time validation, remediation, and logged custody to hit first-pass approvals and predictable timelines.