Military Autonomous Ship Startup Saronic Raises $1.75 Billion Series D at $9.25 Billion Valuation

Saronic, an Austin-based startup that builds autonomous surface vessels for military applications, has closed a $1.75 billion Series D funding round led by Kleiner Perkins at a $9.25 billion valuation, CNBC reported Tuesday. The raise more than doubles Saronic's valuation from the $4 billion figure established just over a year ago in February 2025, reflecting intensifying investor interest in defense technology companies as geopolitical tensions drive government procurement of unmanned maritime systems. Saronic's autonomous ships are designed for naval patrol, surveillance, and logistics missions, competing in a segment of the defense market that has attracted significant U.S. Department of Defense funding. The company has positioned its vessels as a lower-cost alternative to manned warships for persistent maritime presence and threat monitoring. Kleiner Perkins leading the round marks a high-profile bet from one of Silicon Valley's most established venture firms on the defense-tech sector, which has seen capital inflows accelerate following Russia's invasion of Ukraine and heightened tensions in the Indo-Pacific region. Other prominent firms including Andreessen Horowitz and General Catalyst have made similar moves in recent years, backing companies building drones, autonomous systems, and other dual-use military technologies. Saronic plans to use the funding to scale its manufacturing capacity and expand its engineering team. The company has previously disclosed contracts with U.S. Navy programs but has not publicly detailed the full scope of its government business. The Series D comes as the autonomous maritime sector faces questions about regulatory frameworks for unmanned vessels operating in international waters.