Raft CEO Shubhi Mishra Nets 2nd Wash100 for Modernizing Defense Tech, Advocating AI
Shubhi Mishra is a trailblazing entrepreneur who is bringing something different to the defense technology sector. In recognition of her success and the innovative spirit she has unleashed on the industry, Executive Mosaic is honored to present her with her second consecutive Wash100 Award. The CEO and founder of the artificial intelligence and data-driven company Raft, Mishra had another banner year and, we believe, will continue to breathe new life into the government contracting space in the months ahead.
What Is the Wash100 Award?
The Wash100 Award carries a more than 10-year legacy of enshrining the best and brightest of GovCon, on both the public and private ends of the spectrum. Winners are carefully picked based on off-the-charts results in leadership, vision, innovation, reliability and achievement and a demonstrated ability to meaningfully impact the industry.
Now that the 2025 Wash100 class has been cemented, the popular vote contest is underway, leaving the choice of the most beloved of the recipients of this year’s award up to democracy. Who will be crowned popular vote winner in May? Help decide by casting your votes today!
“Shubhi is building a highly scalable, rapid capability at Raft. In the past year, she’s filled out the company’s C-suite with top-tier talent, laying the foundation for even bigger moves ahead,” commented Jim Garrettson, founder of the Wash100 Award and CEO of Executive Mosaic.
“Under her leadership, Raft rolled out a new and improved data platform to help the Department of Defense make better use of its data, landed an Air Force contract for cloud computing and IT integration, and continued to push the boundaries of how defense contractors can operate with speed and agility. Shubhi’s vision isn’t just about keeping up—it’s about setting the pace,” he shared.
Raft’s Recent Wins
Underscoring her triumphs, Raft has logged a number of impressive wins and accomplishments of late. The company released an updated version of its Raft Data Platform, a.k.a. [R]DP, in January, which is aimed at helping the Department of Defense organize and manage its data. Harnessing AI, the application allows for the in-depth analysis and rapid processing demanded by the gargantuan amounts of information passing through the Pentagon.
“Now, the DOD has access to a powerful platform that gives them the versatility, speed and reliability to take control of its data landscape and stay ahead of adversaries,” Mishra noted.
In addition to the Air Force contract Garrettson mentions, Raft was tapped by the Pacific Air Forces to outfit a Hawaii air operations center with advanced software and was awarded a contract from the Space Rapid Capabilities Office to establish a cloud-based satellite operations infrastructure for a command and control program.
Acquisition Reform Needed
Furthermore, Mishra made public her thoughts on how defense contracting should change, daring to start a conversation about larger organizations dominating the market through performances of “innovation theater.”
“By placing trust in agile, specialized firms, rather than relying solely on legacy contractors, we can foster a more dynamic and effective defense sector to counter new and emerging global threats,” Mishra wrote.
Executive Mosaic is proud to welcome this forward-thinking and cutting edge leader back into the Wash100. We’re looking forward to her future contributions! (Vote for Shubhi Mishra in the Wash100 popular contest.)
Mishra Gives Thanks
“Being named to the Wash100 for a second year is an incredible honor, but the real credit belongs to the unstoppable Raft team. We don’t just embrace challenges—we run toward them with courage, breaking barriers and rewriting the playbook on how warfighters harness data autonomously,” said Mishra.
“Real impact happens at the tactical edge, where seconds matter and lives are on the line. This isn’t just about tech; it’s about giving those on the front lines the decisive advantage—faster insights, smarter decisions, and mission success. Fear is the greatest enemy of progress, and at Raft, we run towards it with a lot of courage. This recognition fuels our fire to keep pushing limits, challenging the status quo, and shaping the future of defense,” she stated.
By Charles Lyons-Burt