FREDERICKSBURG, Va. – Riphean Investments, a new Fredericksburg, Virginia-based firm, announced its launch today. Riphean Investments makes seed-stage capital and later-stage equity investments in companies serving National security markets.

Riphean is led by Founder and Partner Joel Griffin and Partner Brian DeMuth who have both spent their careers supporting the national security mission. Griffin, an entrepreneur, investor and philanthropist, has spent 25 years in private industry consulting and 20 years in government contracting. He recently architected the highly successful sale of Dependable Global Solutions, a cybersecurity company he co-founded in 2011, to Arlington Capital – becoming Centauri and now KBR.

Prior to joining Griffin to launch Riphean Investments, DeMuth spent 22 years advancing cyber technologies in federal and commercial markets. Most recently, DeMuth served as the CEO of GRIMM, an engineering and consulting firm focused on cybersecurity. DeMuth is also Co-founder and President of the Board at the Cyber Bytes Foundation, a non-profit dedicated to developing a unique cyber ecosystem of educational and outreach programs for individuals and small business that enhance the cyber workforce.

“Based on the collective experiences Brian and I have had throughout our careers, I believe we bring a unique perspective to the venture capital markets and fill a funding gap that currently exists. There is a need for an investment firm led by entrepreneurs who truly understand what it takes to grow, mature and sustain profitable organizations — and beyond that, have done it,” said Griffin. “After selling DGS, the move to launch Riphean is a natural next step for me. I’m able to continue supporting the national security mission but am now also able to contribute to the growth of likeminded individuals who have been putting in the long hours and sweat equity to get to where they are and need help attaining their next level of success.”

Griffin and DeMuth align in the opportunity they see for Riphean to create meaningful impact. DeMuth said, “We call ourselves and our partners the business insane. We are the people who have been pushing the envelope beyond what we’re told is possible and constantly looking for and moving toward that next big thing. By having been in our partners’ shoes, we put them at the center of everything we do and can help them break through that next glass ceiling.”

J.R. Flatter, Founder and Chairman of Flatter Inc., is an early investor in Riphean Investments. “I am very excited to be part of this visionary company. As a small business founder and owner in the national security space, Riphean provides me with an ideal opportunity to continue developing entrepreneurial leaders,” Flatter said. “Our leadership development vertical at Flatter, Inc. aligns squarely with the Riphean mission – and with the added bonus of working with Joel and Brian – getting involved as a board member and investor was a no-brainer.”

Riphean is currently in the process of opening its office in Downtown Fredericksburg and will be announcing its grand opening soon.

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