---
category: Private Organization
location: Connecticut, USA
summary: TransCapital Corporation was a Connecticut company licensed to sell computer
  hardware that facilitated PROMIS software transfers and related arms deals.
tags:
- Organization
- Private
- Business
- USA
---

[TransCapital Corporation](/organizations/transcapital-corporation/) was a Connecticut firm licensed to sell computer hardware, particularly for the [PROMIS](/programs/promis/) program. It played a role in facilitating arms deals and technology transfers.[^1]

In 1986 and 1987, [TransCapital Corporation](/organizations/transcapital-corporation/) was allowed to export high-tech [IBM](/organizations/ibm/) computers to the [Soviet Union](/places/soviet-union/), despite a general ban on selling such equipment to the East Bloc. This was made possible by [Robert Gates](/people/robert-gates/), who lifted the barriers. When the [Soviets](/places/soviet-union/) desired [PROMIS](/programs/promis/), [Degem](/organizations/degem/) technicians fitted it to the [IBM](/organizations/ibm/) computers, complete with the "trap door."[^1]

[Richard St. Francis](/people/richard-st-francis/), who worked for [TransCapital Corporation](/organizations/transcapital-corporation/), was involved in a deal to sell three C-130s to [Tehran](/places/iran/), working with [Joseph O'Toole](/people/joseph-otoole/) and [Mike Timpani](/people/mike-timpani/). This deal was intended to be a go-between for [Israel](/places/israel/) and [Iran](/places/iran/).[^1]

[^1]: Ben-Menashe, Ari. *Profits of War: Inside the Secret U.S.-Israeli Arms Network*. TrineDay, 1992.