Defense tech startups raised $14.6 billion in the first five months of 2026 alone, already blowing past the previous full-year record of $9.6 billion set in 2025, led by Anduril, Shield AI and Saronic.
Jul 13, 2026Defense tech startups have already pulled in more than $14.6 billion in venture funding in 2026, surpassing all of 2025's record $9.6 billion, led by Anduril, Shield AI and Saronic megarounds.
Jul 7, 2026Saronic, the Austin-based builder of autonomous surface vessels for defense, raised a $1.75 billion Series D at a $9.25 billion valuation -- the single largest robotics round of 2026 so far. The raise underscores how unmanned maritime systems have become a priority as navies race to field cheap, attritable autonomous fleets.
Jun 22, 2026