Unusual Ventures leads a $4 million seed financing round in Helios, an AI-driven platform designed to enhance efficiency in government affairs and compliance.

Information on the Target

Helios is an innovative AI-native platform designed to automate vital tasks for government affairs and compliance teams, such as policy monitoring, stakeholder mapping, memo drafting, and regulatory intelligence. The company is spearheaded by a skilled leadership team comprising Joe Scheidler, Brandon Smith, and Joseph Farsakh, who collectively bring extensive experience from notable institutions, including the White House, State Department, Microsoft, USAID, Datadog, and King & Spalding. This combination of deep public sector knowledge and exceptional technical expertise positions Helios distinctively in the market.

Industry Overview in the United States

The public policy and regulatory affairs landscape in the United States is complex and constantly evolving, necessitating vigilant monitoring and adaptation from corporations. In 2023, an estimated $5.6 billion is projected to be spent on lobbying efforts alone at both federal and state levels. This significant expenditure underscores the importance of effective tools and strategies for navigating the intricate regulatory environment.

Within the corporate sphere, numerous U.S. companies, especially those within the Fortune 500, Russell 2000, and other regulated industries, maintain dedicated government affairs teams. These entities fac