SARC Solutions is a cybersecurity innovation company that transitions breakthrough research into dual-use, commercial-ready solutions.
Leveraging advanced engineering and agile prototyping, SARC secures critical infrastructure and digital systems for government and commercial partners.
SARC Solutions addresses a critical gap in cybersecurity: traditional endpoint detection and response (EDR) tools fail to protect high-value infrastructure in energy systems and data centers.
As environments shift to virtualization, edge computing, and always-on control systems, conventional platforms become ineffective—they are OS-dependent, resource-intensive, and vulnerable to tampering on SCADA systems, embedded devices, and virtual machines.
Flagship Solution: Beholder
Beholder is a physics-derived, OS-agnostic anomaly detection engine that operates agentlessly from outside the OS or guest VM.
- Detects Advanced Threats
Malware, rootkits, hypervisor exploits, and stealth attacks through timing and behavior analysis—no logs, signatures, or in-OS agents required. - Tamper-Resistant
Cannot be detected or disabled by attackers; requires no special privileges and has negligible system impact. - Fail-Safe Design
If Beholder fails, the monitored system remains unaffected. - Secure Telemetry
Provides real-time alerts and forensic visibility without disrupting operations.
By eliminating OS and hardware dependencies, Beholder delivers zero-trust detection in previously unreachable environments—substations, hypervisors, industrial controllers, and hyperscale data centers—empowering utilities and mission-critical enterprises with unmatched resiliency.
Leadership & Expertise
- Joseph Carter – Founder & CEO
Proven cybersecurity entrepreneur with over 20 years of experience in the U.S. Navy, defense industry, and federal contracting. Previously founded and scaled R&K Cyber Solutions, commercializing Oak Ridge National Laboratory technology into CodeHunter, a multi-million-dollar company serving federal and commercial clients.
Strategic Research Partnerships
- George Mason University
Dr. Matthew Jablonski serves as Principal Investigator and Advisor. - Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Supported by Dr. Stacy Prowell and Joel Dawson as Principal Investigators and scientific advisors.
This collaborative model ensures world-class technical oversight while keeping costs low during early development. Joseph’s commercialization track record positions SARC to scale engineering, secure funding, and drive Beholder into defense and commercial markets.
SARC Solutions employs a phased, de-risked go-to-market strategy built on non-dilutive funding, dual-use pilots, and strategic partnerships.
Current Phase: Pre-MVP Development
- Funding & Acceleration
Leveraging VIPC grants, regional awards (Fairfax, Loudoun), and accelerators like CCI+A ASCEND to advance Beholder to TRL 6+. - Early Validation
Securing letters of support and pilot interest from key partners.
Key Partners & Beachhead Customers
- Walmart (via Sparkcubate)
- Lockheed Martin (via DoD channels)
- Dominion Energy (via DEIC Accelerator)
- Oak Ridge National Laboratory (licensor and research partner)
- George Mason University (engineering and IP support)
- 757 Callab and Dominion Energy Innovators accelerators
Initial focus: Custom pilot deployments (cost-plus-fixed-fee and firm-fixed-price) in SCADA, OT, and hypervisor environments. Long-term transition to recurring software subscription model targeting data centers, defense, and energy infrastructure by 2028–2029.
SARC Solutions pursues a staged revenue model that minimizes early dilution while building toward scalable recurring income.
Near-Term Revenue Sources
- Non-Dilutive Grants & Awards
Founder/startup grants, accelerator funding, and state support (VIPC, Fairfax County, George Mason University). - Federal R&D Contracts
DOE SBIR/STTR Phase I (~$800K in 2026), followed by multi-million-dollar Phase II/IIb awards.
Mid-Term Transition
- Pilot Programs & Prototype Sales
Cost-plus-fixed-fee or firm-fixed-price engagements with energy providers, hyperscale data centers, and defense primes as Beholder reaches MVP (TRL 6–7). - Recurring Revenue
Software subscriptions plus custom integration and prototyping services.
This hybrid approach de-risks development, validates the market, and positions SARC for sustainable growth in mission-critical cybersecurity.
Investment Ask
SARC Solutions is seeking $750,000 via convertible note to accelerate Beholder’s maturation over 18–24 months.
This investment will be matched 1:1 by VIPC through its Launch Note program, providing $1.5 million total runway.
Key Milestones
- Build high-performance technical and business development team
- Develop and validate Beholder MVP
- Execute two commercial pilots in energy and data center sectors
- Achieve TRL 7 readiness and early market traction
Planned Key Hires
| Position | Role |
|---|---|
| Chief Engineer | Lead technical development and MVP delivery |
| Product Manager | Drive product roadmap and customer requirements |
| Research Engineer | Advance core detection capabilities |
| Business Intel/Discovery Specialist | Identify and qualify opportunities |
| Business Development & Grants Manager | Secure follow-on funding and partnerships |
Additional allocation: Secure cloud hosting, analytics platform, IP management, and pilot execution funds for real-world field testing.
This capital positions SARC for federal/state follow-on funding and a $3–5 million Series A in 2028, with strategic investor alignment to deliver next-generation zero-trust cybersecurity.
Beholder Overview
Beholder is a patented, OS-agnostic tamper detection system currently at TRL 4.
Developed through DOE programs (CEDS and LDRD at Oak Ridge National Laboratory), it focuses on resilience of energy delivery systems and national security.
Core Capabilities
- Detection Method
Identifies rootkits, malware, and APTs via anomalies in system call execution timing—no signatures, logs, or kernel agents. - Operational Advantages
Runs in user space, no special privileges, no system modifications; tamper-resistant and low-resource footprint. - Deployment Flexibility
Supports remote monitoring, Docker/Kubernetes compatibility, and air-gapped environments. - Zero-Trust Alignment
Provides forensic-ready telemetry in OT and data center settings where traditional EDR fails.
With a commercial license secured from DOE, Beholder is validated across virtualized and embedded platforms and ready for pilot deployment to fill critical detection gaps in energy, industrial control, and hyperscale infrastructure.
SARC Solutions has not yet received funding but has pending applications:
| Opportunity | Amount | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Innovation Partnership Corporation (VIPC) Virginia Venture Partners Launch/Founder Grant | $50,000 | Awaiting decision |
| Commonwealth Cyber Initiative (CCI) IFCAP maturation grant (with George Mason University) | $50,000 | Awaiting decision |
No dilutive funding or federal grants pursued to date.
