Atlanta-based startup manages to secure a million dollars in contracts within its initial year of operation.
In the bustling tech scene of Atlanta, a new player has emerged with a promising start. DARE Labs, an AI security startup co-founded by DeMarcus Edwards, has secured over $1.2 million in contracts in its first year of operation.
Edwards, who earned his Ph.D. in computer science from Howard University in May 2024, is no stranger to the world of tech. His academic journey began at the University of Virginia, where he completed his undergraduate degree in 2018. He then continued his studies at Howard University, where he specialised in adversarial machine learning and gained industry experience through residencies at Netflix, Apple, Meta, and Google X.
The mentorship of Dr. Danda B. Rawat, associate dean for research and graduate studies at Howard, played a critical role in Edwards' academic and professional development. Beyond academic supervision, Rawat provided guidance on survival in the field, professionalism, funding applications, and company establishment.
DARE Labs, headquartered in Atlanta, helps make customer data easy to use in AI applications by building knowledge graphs. The startup specialises in helping government agencies turn documents into knowledge graphs for AI applications, with major clients including the Department of Defense and Department of Energy.
Edwards' work and startup underscore Howard University's increasing impact on tech innovation and African American leadership in AI and cybersecurity. In fact, Edwards attributes his success to the nurturing environment at Howard that fosters Black leadership in these fields through research and mentorship.
Before launching DARE Labs, Edwards was laid off from Google X. However, this setback only served as a catalyst for his entrepreneurial spirit. Edwards stated that the real gain in AI will come from how well things are structured, comparing it to cleaning a room to find a phone.
The 2025 Research and Leadership Awards recognised Dr. Danda B. Rawat for his outstanding faculty mentorship. Rawat, one of the outstanding faculty mentors at Howard's 2025 Research and Leadership Awards, continues to make a significant impact on the lives of students like Edwards.
As DARE Labs continues to grow and make its mark in the tech industry, it serves as a testament to the power of mentorship, perseverance, and the nurturing environment at Howard University in fostering Black leadership in AI and cybersecurity.
[1] Howard University Alumnus Launches AI Security Startup [2] Meet DeMarcus Edwards, Co-founder of DARE Labs [3] Howard University Alum Launches AI Security Startup [4] Howard University Alum Launches AI Security Startup
Image: The Dig, Howard [Source: Howard University]
- DeMarcus Edwards, an entrepreneur and AI security specialist, has founded DARE Labs, a small-business focusing on artificial intelligence (AI) security, following his Ph.D. in computer science from Howard University.
- Edwards' leadership at DARE Labs, which secured over $1.2 million in contracts in its first year, is a testament to the impact of mentorship and the nurturing environment at Howard University in fostering Black leadership in AI and cybersecurity.
- The technology-driven startup, DARE Labs, based in Atlanta, specializes in AI applications by building knowledge graphs, particularly assisting government agencies in turning documents into knowledge graphs for AI applications.
- The establishment of DARE Labs showcases the significant role of Howard University in not only facilitating academic growth but also nurturing entrepreneurial ventures, like Edwards' AI security startup.
