UNCLASSIFIED MARFORPAC-NS-2026-0309 2026-03-09
Northslope Technologies — Variant C: Confidence Matrix (Epistemic-First)
MEET CONFIDENCE: HIGH
Northslope Technologies is not making a cold approach. Matt Leonard and TJ share a professional history at GDC4S, where both worked on the Command Post of the Future (CPOF). Palantir's Target Workbench is already confirmed operational in Project Dynamis live-fire exercises. Northslope builds mission-specific applications on that platform as Palantir's exclusive "Vanguard: Elite" partner.

Claim Distribution by Evidence Tier

8
26
12
13
8 Verified 26 Entity Store 12 Reported 13 Inferred 59 total claims

What Northslope Does

Northslope is a Palantir application builder. FDEs embed with customer teams to build mission-specific software on Palantir's platforms (AIP, Foundry, Gotham). "First and only Vanguard: Elite partner." Operating model mirrors Palantir's FDE model. Not a product company — bespoke applications per engagement. 87 of 97 staff titled FDE or variant.

Palantir Partner Page Ashby Jobs Built In ADS Group northslope.com

Tier 1: Verified

8 claims Authoritative sources Northslope cannot manipulate
▶ SEC Form D filing — $7M raise ($6.8M sold), June 2025 src-v
SEC Form D is a regulatory filing. The $7M figure ($6.8M sold) is a legal disclosure, independently verifiable through EDGAR. This is distinct from the $22M Series A announced via press release (Tier 3).
▶ Zero federal contract awards — FPDS/USAspending shows no awards src-v
FPDS and USAspending are authoritative federal procurement databases. Zero awards means Northslope has no direct federal contracting track record. This is a verified absence, not a gap in our data.
▶ Palantir Vanguard: Elite partner — "First and only" on Palantir partner page src-v
Published on palantir.com. Palantir controls this listing; Northslope cannot self-award this status. The partner designation is authoritative.
▶ Ashby job listings — UK Defence FDE roles posted src-v
Active job postings on Ashby confirm UK defence hiring intent. Job descriptions provide verifiable detail about role requirements and scope.
▶ Built In company profile — Public company listing src-v
Built In listing provides independent confirmation of company presence and hiring activity.
▶ ADS Group membership — UK Aerospace, Defence, Security & Space trade body src-v
ADS Group is the UK trade body for aerospace, defence, security, and space industries. Membership requires application and acceptance. Signals genuine UK defence market entry.
▶ Sources Sought RFI M68909-I-25-7615 — Government market research solicitation src-v
Government-issued Request for Information. This is a contracting office document, not a Northslope claim. Confirms government interest in the capability space.
▶ Maven Smart System deployed to NATO SHAPE — Public reporting confirms deployment src-v
Maven Smart System (MSS) deployment to NATO SHAPE is confirmed through public reporting (news sources, official statements). This establishes that the Palantir ecosystem is already in use within NATO structures.

Tier 2: Entity Store

26 claims Our 1.93M-entity LinkedIn corpus
▶ Staff count: 97 LinkedIn profiles src-e
97 LinkedIn profiles identified with Northslope Technologies as current employer in our entity store. Count based on position records with no end date.
▶ Staff composition: 87/97 titled FDE or variant — 10 non-FDE src-e
Title analysis across 97 profiles. 87 carry "Forward Deployed Engineer" or variant titles. 10 hold non-FDE roles (leadership, ops, etc.). Confirms the FDE-centric operating model.
▶ Palantir alumni: 26 of 97 — Former Palantir employees src-e
26 of 97 current Northslope employees have Palantir in their position history. This partially supports the company-reported claim of being "founded by former Palantir FDEs" (Tier 3) but shows the majority (71) came from elsewhere.
▶ Growth trajectory: 11 → 73 → 15 — Through 2024, 2025, Jan-Feb 2026 src-e
Hire dates from LinkedIn position start dates. 11 hires through 2024, 73 in 2025 (rapid scaling), 15 in Jan-Feb 2026. Growth rate suggests strong funding runway.
▶ Matt Leonard career history — GDC4S (4.5yr CPOF) → Palantir FDE (3.75yr) → Pinterest → Facebook src-e
GDC4S: Combat Software Engineer (4.5 years) working on Command Post of the Future (CPOF). Palantir: FDE (2011–2015, 3.75 years). Pinterest: Technical Lead Legal Engineering. Facebook: Senior Software Engineer. Joined Northslope as FDE, January 2025.
▶ Amanda Shaver Gurman career history — C4ADS → Georgetown → Stimson → State → Senate src-e
C4ADS: Head of Commercial Partnerships — integrated data into Palantir Foundry. Georgetown adjunct: OSINT/PAI methods. Stimson Center, State Department, VP's speechwriting, Senate. Joined Northslope as FDE & Defense/NatSec Lead, US & Asia Pacific, November 2025.
▶ Ben Holloway career history — Royal Navy 18yr, Head of Data & Navy Applications src-e
Royal Navy (18 years): Head of Data & Navy Applications, Head of Data & Platforms, OC Combat Service Support Squadron (Commando Helicopter Force), Logistics Manager HMS Victorious (submarine), Afghanistan contractor-support coordination. Joined Northslope as Head of Global Defence & National Security, February 2025.
▶ Bill Ward career history — Palantir Biz Ops → Enigma → Biofire COO src-e
Palantir: Business Ops & Strategy (Nov 2014 – Jun 2018). Enigma Technologies: Head of Field Product (Jul 2018 – Sep 2019). Biofire: COO (Feb 2020 – Sep 2023). Earlier: Obama for America, Morgan Stanley. Founder & CEO of Northslope.
▶ Matt Leonard → TJ: 8 engagements src-e
8 LinkedIn engagement events (reactions, comments) from Matt Leonard on TJ's content. Indicates active professional relationship and content alignment.
▶ Matt Leonard → Bob Sholtis: 4 engagements src-e
4 LinkedIn engagement events from Matt Leonard on Bob Sholtis's content.
▶ Matt Leonard → Bernice Kissinger: 3 engagements src-e
3 LinkedIn engagement events from Matt Leonard on Bernice Kissinger's content.
▶ Matt Leonard → Arlon Smith: 2 engagements src-e
2 LinkedIn engagement events from Matt Leonard on Arlon Smith's content. Arlon is a key Dynamis figure.
▶ Matt Leonard → Tim Miller: 1 engagement src-e
1 LinkedIn engagement event from Matt Leonard on Tim Miller's content.
▶ Bill Ward → TJ: 5 engagements src-e
5 LinkedIn engagement events from Bill Ward (CEO) on TJ's content. CEO-level engagement signals organizational awareness.
▶ Bill Ward → Bob Sholtis: 1 engagement src-e
1 LinkedIn engagement event from Bill Ward on Bob Sholtis's content.
▶ Shared GDC4S / CPOF history — Matt Leonard and TJ both worked at GDC4S on CPOF src-e
Both Matt Leonard and TJ have GDC4S positions in their LinkedIn career history, both associated with the Command Post of the Future (CPOF) program. This is the basis for the "not a cold approach" assessment.
▶ Arlon Smith quote 1: "We closed the gap at machine speed with Anduril's Lattice Data Mesh and Palantir's Target Workbench..." src-e
urn:li:activity:7425880347319447552 — 181 reactions. Source: linkedin_post entity in entity store.
▶ Arlon Smith quote 2: "This cutting-edge device integrates multiple existing USMC fire support, C2...Thomas J. and the dedicated team at MCTSSA." src-e
urn:li:activity:7377437081746292736 — 445 reactions. Source: linkedin_post entity in entity store.
▶ Arlon Smith quote 3: "Excited to introduce our next-generation high-compute edge node — the MAGTF C2 Prototype..." src-e
urn:li:activity:7421353278136860672 — 242 reactions. Source: linkedin_post entity in entity store.
▶ TJ quote 1: "...Start with RDT&E sponsors, CRADAs, and experimentation venues..." src-e
28 reactions. Source: linkedin_post entity in entity store. Describes TJ's innovation pathway methodology.
▶ TJ quote 2: "Marine Forces Pacific seeks innovative and scalable technology solutions..." src-e
urn:li:activity:7303502962830585856 — 32 reactions. Source: linkedin_post entity in entity store.
▶ TJ quote 3: "...reimagining the market research within the framework of the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act..." src-e
PACT 2026. urn:li:activity:7432294411528736768 — 31 reactions. Source: linkedin_post entity in entity store.
▶ Dynamis tech stack — Palantir Target Workbench, Anduril Lattice Data Mesh, MAGTF C2 Prototype/MCP src-e
Technology stack derived from Arlon Smith's LinkedIn posts. Palantir Target Workbench, Anduril Lattice Data Mesh, MAGTF C2 Prototype/MCP. Maven Smart System deployed to NATO SHAPE is separately verified (Tier 1).
▶ Dynamis partners named in posts — USN Project Overmatch, DIU, Joint Fires Network, Army 4th ID (NGC2), MCWL, PEO Land Systems, NAVWAR/NIWCPacific src-e
Partners and programs mentioned across Arlon Smith's and other Dynamis-related LinkedIn posts: USN Project Overmatch, DIU, Joint Fires Network, Army 4th ID (NGC2), MCWL, USMC PEO Land Systems, NAVWAR/NIWCPacific.
▶ Amanda Shaver Gurman joined November 2025 — Position start date src-e
LinkedIn position start date. Defence/NatSec Lead role is 4 months old at time of assessment.
▶ Ben Holloway joined February 2025 — Position start date src-e
LinkedIn position start date. Head of Global Defence & National Security role is 13 months old at time of assessment.

Tier 3: Company-Reported

12 claims Claims we cannot independently verify
▶ "Founded by former Palantir FDEs" — Partially supported: 26/97 are ex-Palantir src-r
Website claim. Our entity store confirms 26 of 97 current staff have Palantir in their history (Tier 2), which supports "founded by" but not "all staff are former Palantir." Marketing language overstates the Palantir lineage.
▶ $22M Series A — Business Wire press release, January 2026 src-r
Announced via Business Wire (Jan 2026). Not yet confirmed by SEC filing. The earlier $7M raise is SEC-confirmed (Tier 1). Press release amounts can differ from final filed amounts.
▶ NAICS codes: 541512, 541690 — Self-reported registration src-r
Self-reported NAICS codes. 541512 = Computer Systems Design Services. 541690 = Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services. No independent verification of these classifications.
▶ UEI: ST1QDAAL4F21 — Self-reported registration src-r
Unique Entity Identifier for SAM.gov registration. Self-reported.
▶ Website claims: supply chain, logistics verticals src-r
northslope.com marketing claims about supply chain and logistics capabilities. No independent evidence of delivered projects in these verticals.
▶ Investors: Friends & Family Capital (Colin Anderson) and Goldcrest Capital (Adam Ross) src-r
From press release. Colin Anderson is Palantir's ex-CFO (Friends & Family Capital). Adam Ross at Goldcrest Capital. Investor identity from press release, not SEC filing.
▶ Founded 2024, Denver CO src-r
Company-reported founding date and location. Consistent with SEC Form D filing timeline (Jun 2025) and entity store hiring data (11 hires through 2024).
▶ CAGE code: 9W7Z3 src-r
Commercial and Government Entity code. Self-reported. Assigned by DLA for government contracting purposes.
▶ Competitive context: Primer AI (standalone NLP/ML) src-r
Primer AI identified as competitor via Gemini Deep Research. Primer operates standalone NLP/ML products, different model from Northslope's Palantir-embedded approach.
▶ Competitive context: Second Front Systems (DevSecOps) src-r
Second Front Systems identified as competitor via Gemini Deep Research. Second Front focuses on DevSecOps platform (Game Warden), different from FDE deployment model.
▶ "AC" connection — AC2 TTF candidate — Gemini Deep Research src-r
Unresolved. TJ email references "different role than how you all have engaged me in AC." Amanda states "broader offerings beyond AC." Two candidates: Army Contracting or AC2 TTF. Source: Gemini Deep Research; neither interpretation independently confirmed.
▶ IP ownership concerns — Gemini Deep Research flag src-r
Gemini Deep Research flagged IP ownership as a concern area for Palantir-dependent builders. No independent verification of Northslope's specific IP arrangements with Palantir.

Tier 4: Inferred

13 claims Analytical judgments requiring review
▶ "Could build on existing Dynamis deployment" src-i
FACT A: Palantir Target Workbench is the Dynamis platform (Arlon Smith posts, Tier 2)
FACT B: Northslope is Palantir's Vanguard: Elite partner (Tier 1)
↓
INFERENCE: Northslope could build mission apps on the existing Dynamis Palantir deployment
▶ "Asia Pacific title signals AOR targeting" src-i
FACT: Amanda Shaver Gurman's title includes "US & Asia Pacific" (Tier 2, position record)
↓
INFERENCE: Northslope is targeting the Asia Pacific area of responsibility, relevant to MARFORPAC
▶ MARFORPAC alignment: Battle Management C2 — HIGH src-i
EVIDENCE: Dynamis posts describe fire support C2 integration, Target Workbench, MAGTF C2 Prototype (Tier 2)
EVIDENCE: Maven Smart System deployed to NATO SHAPE (Tier 1)
↓
RATING: HIGH alignment with Battle Management C2 priority
▶ MARFORPAC alignment: Informational Advantage — HIGH src-i
EVIDENCE: Amanda's OSINT/PAI background at Georgetown and C4ADS Palantir Foundry integration (Tier 2)
EVIDENCE: Palantir platform capabilities in data fusion (Tier 1, partner page)
↓
RATING: HIGH alignment with Informational Advantage priority
▶ MARFORPAC alignment: Allies & Partners — HIGH src-i
EVIDENCE: Ben Holloway — Royal Navy 18 years, coalition experience (Tier 2)
EVIDENCE: ADS Group UK membership (Tier 1)
EVIDENCE: UK Defence FDE job listings on Ashby (Tier 1)
↓
RATING: HIGH alignment with Allies & Partners priority
▶ MARFORPAC alignment: Sustainment/Logistics — MODERATE src-i
EVIDENCE: Ben Holloway's logistics background (HMS Victorious, Afghanistan) (Tier 2)
EVIDENCE: Website claims supply chain/logistics verticals (Tier 3)
↓
RATING: MODERATE — personnel background supports it but no delivered logistics projects confirmed
▶ Traditional primes lack FDE-only model src-i
FACT: Northslope is 87/97 FDE (Tier 2)
OBSERVATION: Traditional defense primes employ broad workforce mixes, not FDE-concentrated teams
↓
INFERENCE: Northslope's FDE concentration is a structural differentiator primes cannot easily replicate
▶ "Not a cold approach" — relationship assessment src-i
FACT A: Matt Leonard and TJ both worked at GDC4S on CPOF (Tier 2)
FACT B: Matt → TJ: 8 LinkedIn engagements (Tier 2)
FACT C: Bill Ward → TJ: 5 LinkedIn engagements (Tier 2)
↓
INFERENCE: Pre-existing professional relationship; this is not a cold vendor outreach
▶ Coalition interoperability from Ben Holloway's background src-i
FACT: Ben Holloway served 18 years Royal Navy including coalition operations in Afghanistan (Tier 2)
↓
INFERENCE: Ben brings lived coalition interoperability experience relevant to FVEY/NATO partner engagements
▶ Bill Ward understands ops/strategy of FDE deployments src-i
FACT: Bill Ward was Business Ops & Strategy at Palantir (Nov 2014 – Jun 2018) (Tier 2)
↓
INFERENCE: Bill understands the operational and strategic mechanics of scaling FDE deployments from the Palantir side
▶ Northslope differentiation is "narrow but real" src-i
FACT A: Only Vanguard: Elite partner (Tier 1)
FACT B: 87/97 FDE concentration (Tier 2)
FACT C: Zero federal awards, no past performance (Tier 1)
↓
INFERENCE: Differentiation is real (exclusive partner status, FDE model) but narrow (entirely Palantir-dependent, no independent track record)
▶ Likely contracting path: subcontract via Palantir or CRADA src-i
FACT A: Zero federal awards (Tier 1, FPDS)
FACT B: TJ's posts describe CRADA and experimentation venue pathways (Tier 2)
FACT C: Northslope is Palantir's partner (Tier 1)
↓
INFERENCE: Most likely path is subcontract under existing Palantir vehicle or CRADA/experimentation agreement — not direct prime contract
▶ Likely inherits IL5/IL6 via FedStart — Unverified src-i
FACT: Palantir holds FedRAMP authorizations at various impact levels
OBSERVATION: Palantir's FedStart program extends platform access to partners
↓
INFERENCE: Northslope likely inherits IL5/IL6 clearance through Palantir's FedStart — but no direct evidence of Northslope-specific authorization
Matt Leonard FDE (Jan 2025)
src-e GDC4S: Combat Software Engineer (4.5 yr) — CPOF
src-e Palantir: FDE (3.75 yr, 2011–2015)
src-e Pinterest: Technical Lead Legal Engineering
src-e Facebook: Senior Software Engineer
src-e Shared GDC4S/CPOF history with TJ
src-e Engagements: TJ (8), Bob Sholtis (4), Bernice Kissinger (3), Arlon Smith (2), Tim Miller (1)
src-i "Not a cold approach" — pre-existing relationship with TJ via GDC4S + engagement pattern
Amanda Shaver Gurman FDE & Defense/NatSec Lead, US & Asia Pacific (Nov 2025)
src-e C4ADS: Head of Commercial Partnerships — integrated data into Palantir Foundry
src-e Georgetown adjunct: OSINT/PAI methods
src-e Stimson Center, State Dept, VP's speechwriting, Senate
src-e Joined November 2025 (position start date)
src-i "Asia Pacific" in title signals AOR targeting relevant to MARFORPAC
Ben Holloway Head of Global Defence & National Security (Feb 2025)
src-e Royal Navy 18 yr: Head of Data & Navy Applications, Head of Data & Platforms
src-e OC Combat Service Support Squadron, Commando Helicopter Force
src-e Logistics Manager, HMS Victorious (submarine)
src-e Afghanistan contractor-support coordination
src-e Joined February 2025 (position start date)
src-i Coalition interoperability inference from Royal Navy + Afghanistan experience
Bill Ward Founder & CEO
src-e Palantir: Business Ops & Strategy (Nov 2014 – Jun 2018)
src-e Biofire: COO (Feb 2020 – Sep 2023)
src-e Enigma Technologies: Head of Field Product (Jul 2018 – Sep 2019)
src-e Earlier: Obama for America, Morgan Stanley
src-e Engagements: TJ (5), Bob Sholtis (1)
src-i Understands ops/strategy of FDE deployments from Palantir tenure
Zero federal contract awards Tier 1 Tier 4
FPDS/USAspending confirms zero awards (verified). Likely contracting path is subcontract via Palantir or CRADA (inferred). No past performance record for proposal evaluation.
No IL5/IL6 evidence Tier 4
No direct evidence of Northslope-specific IL5/IL6 authorization. Likely inherits via Palantir's FedStart program, but this is an inference, not a verified fact. Must be confirmed in meeting.
IP ownership undefined Tier 3
Gemini Deep Research flagged IP ownership concerns for Palantir-dependent builders. Northslope builds on Palantir's platform — unclear what IP Northslope retains from engagements. No public information on their specific IP arrangement.
Defense leadership is new Tier 2
Amanda Shaver Gurman joined November 2025 (4 months). Ben Holloway joined February 2025 (13 months). Both positions are relatively new. While both have deep prior defence/national security experience, their Northslope tenure is limited.
1
Art of the Edge demo specifics — What was demonstrated and to whom?
Gap tier: Entity Store — Tim Miller's post may contain details
2
Which Palantir instance? — AIP, Foundry, or Gotham?
Gap tier: Reported — Marketing claims all three; no specifics on which instance for MARFORPAC-relevant work
3
"AC" context — Army Contracting or AC2 TTF?
Gap tier: Reported / Entity Store — TJ email and Amanda statement are ambiguous
4
Contracting vehicle — How would Northslope contract with MARFORPAC?
Gap tier: Verified — FPDS shows zero awards; no existing vehicle identified
5
Coalition delivery evidence — Has Northslope delivered to FVEY/NATO partners?
Gap tier: Inferred — Ben's background supports capability but no delivery evidence exists
6
Specific workflow deliverable — What would Northslope actually build?
Gap tier: Reported — No named products; FDE model is bespoke per engagement
7
IL5/IL6 authorization status — Direct or inherited?
Gap tier: Inferred — Likely via FedStart but unverified
8
CRADA IP rights — Who owns what Northslope builds?
Gap tier: Reported — IP ownership flagged by Gemini Deep Research, no specifics available
Generated by Cruzam Intelligence Engine.
Entity Store: 1.93M entities, 1.08M engagements, 74K posts, 169K persons, 73K companies. Data freshness: 2026-03-09.