Daniel Saks
Chief Executive Officer
The defense technology landscape has undergone a seismic shift, with startups raising a record-breaking $49.1 billion in 2025, nearly double the previous year. This explosion is fueled by real-world battlefield validation in Ukraine, rising global defense budgets, and AI-driven innovation that has reshaped investor sentiment. From autonomous systems to battlefield AI software, these companies are redefining modern warfare and national security infrastructure. For go-to-market teams in the defense sector, identifying key players and decision-makers requires sophisticated audience intelligence. Platforms like Landbase's AI-driven audience discovery enable defense contractors to build targeted prospect lists using natural-language prompts, identifying companies actively researching cloud security solutions or tracking organizational leaders within this rapidly evolving ecosystem.
Anduril Industries specializes in AI-enabled autonomous weapon systems and defense platforms, developing the Lattice OS operating system that integrates multiple autonomous systems into a unified battlefield network. The company builds massive drone manufacturing facilities and creates advanced reconnaissance systems like the Ghost-X drone, fundamentally shifting defense from hardware-first to software-defined approaches.
Anduril Industries achieved the largest valuation among defense tech startups at $30.5 billion, led by Palmer Luckey (Oculus founder) who brought Silicon Valley innovation to traditional defense. The company's Lattice OS platform enables integration of diverse autonomous systems, creating a unified battlefield network. Anduril's major Ohio drone manufacturing facility addresses critical U.S. production capacity needs, positioning the company as a key player in defense manufacturing sovereignty.
Helsing develops battlefield AI software for military threat detection and decision-making, representing Europe's push for technological sovereignty in defense. The company's AI platform enables faster command and control decisions in complex combat scenarios, providing European armed forces with an alternative to U.S.-dominated defense technology.
Helsing stands as the largest European defense tech unicorn with a €12 billion valuation (~$13.9 billion USD), addressing critical European defense independence needs. Founded in 2021, the company achieved unicorn status rapidly, representing European "technological sovereignty" in defense. European defense tech deal count grew 67% in 2025 compared to 30% in the U.S., demonstrating the continent's accelerating commitment to indigenous defense technology development.
Chaos Industries builds advanced radar technology for detecting autonomous threats including drones, missiles, and aircraft. The company's systems provide early warning and tracking capabilities for defense and critical infrastructure, addressing the urgent need for counter-autonomous weapons systems validated by conflicts in Ukraine.
Chaos Industries achieved a $4.5 billion valuation in just 3 years since founding, demonstrating urgent defense sector need for autonomous threat detection. The company's rapid funding pace—raising $510 million Series D—reflects modern warfare realities where counter-drone capabilities have become mission-critical. The company is part of the electronic warfare and counter-drone revolution reshaping battlefield technology.
Saronic Technologies develops autonomous maritime vehicles for military operations, focusing on uncrewed surface vessels for naval missions. The company's systems enable maritime security and naval warfare applications without risking human personnel, representing the expansion of autonomy beyond aerial systems into the maritime domain.
Saronic Technologies secured a $600 million funding round in 2025 (second largest after Anduril), achieving a $4 billion valuation despite being relatively new. Founded by Anduril alumni, the company brings proven expertise to the less crowded maritime domain compared to aerial autonomy. The company's focus on autonomous surface vessels addresses critical naval warfare needs while reducing risk to human personnel.
Shield AI develops autonomous drones and AI systems for complex military operations, creating "AI pilots" that can operate aircraft without human intervention in GPS-denied and contested environments. The company's Hivemind AI platform enables autonomous flight for military aircraft in dangerous scenarios where human pilots cannot operate safely.
Shield AI pioneered innovative "AI pilots" that operate in contested GPS-denied environments where traditional systems fail. The company earned Naval Special Warfare Command as its first customer, proving the technology in real military contexts. With 1,000+ employees, Shield AI ranks among the largest defense tech startups, focusing on complex military operations in dangerous environments where autonomous systems provide critical operational advantages.
Recent Funding:
Palantir provides AI and data analytics platforms for defense and intelligence operations through its Gotham platform. The company's systems serve as critical defense infrastructure for decision-making, enabling government agencies to unify disparate data sources into actionable intelligence for mission-critical operations.
Palantir Technologies commands the highest revenue multiple in the software cohort at approximately 65x NTM, roughly 10x higher than typical cloud software median multiples. As a proven defense contractor with decades of government work since its 2003 founding, Palantir paved the way for the current defense tech startup boom. The company's Gotham platform has become critical infrastructure for intelligence and defense decision-making.
Palantir is a publicly traded company (NYSE: PLTR) that raises capital through public equity and debt markets rather than venture funding rounds.
Firefly Aerospace manufactures lunar landers and orbital vehicles for dual-use space technology serving both commercial and defense customers. The company's Elytra spacecraft is approved for military satellite launch and maneuvering, with dozens of missions planned for 2025 following their successful first moon landing mission for NASA.
Firefly Aerospace makes significant strides in space technology for defense applications with a dual-use model serving commercial and government customers. The company is approved to use its Elytra spacecraft for military satellite operations, positioning it as part of expanding defense space operations. Firefly's $2 billion valuation reflects growing investor confidence in space-based defense capabilities.
Skydio manufactures autonomous AI-powered drones as the largest drone manufacturer in the United States. The company focuses on both defense and commercial drone applications with advanced autonomous flight capabilities, providing a critical American alternative to Chinese drone manufacturers.
Skydio serves as the largest drone manufacturer in the United States with over $1.2 billion in total bookings, of which over 50% comes from defense customers. The company provides a critical American alternative to Chinese drone manufacturers, addressing U.S. drone supply chain sovereignty concerns. Skydio is expanding globally with improved connectivity while maintaining its leadership position in autonomous flight technology.
Skydio is a private company with substantial defense bookings rather than traditional venture funding rounds. The company has secured major defense contracts contributing to its $1.2 billion in bookings.
Rebellion Defense develops AI software for military threat detection and decision-making systems, focusing on naval systems and project integration. The company achieved unicorn status just a few years after founding in 2019 and was selected to support the US Navy Project Overmatch, validating their technology for critical defense applications.
Rebellion Defense achieved unicorn status (>$1 billion valuation) just a few years after founding in 2019, demonstrating rapid growth in the defense AI software sector. The company was selected to support US Navy Project Overmatch, validating their AI-powered defense decision systems for critical naval applications. Rebellion Defense represents the shift toward software-first defense systems that enable faster, more informed military decision-making.
Scale AI provides AI infrastructure for defense and commercial applications through data labeling and AI model training services. The company serves as the "picks and shovels" of the AI revolution, enabling other defense AI companies to build sophisticated systems by providing the foundational data infrastructure.
Scale AI leads in data labeling and AI training infrastructure, serving as a critical enabler for the entire defense AI ecosystem. The company's dual-use platform serves both commercial and defense sectors, with proven commercial success translating effectively to defense applications. Scale AI functions as an infrastructure play that enables other defense AI companies to build sophisticated autonomous and intelligence systems.
Scale AI is a well-established private company that has raised substantial funding to support its dual-use AI infrastructure platform.
The unprecedented $49.1 billion in defense tech funding raised in 2025 stems from three converging forces that fundamentally reshaped the investment landscape:
Real-World Battlefield Validation: Ukraine demonstrated the effectiveness of drones and autonomous systems in real combat, fundamentally shifting how venture capitalists view defense investments. This battlefield validation provided the confidence investors needed to back defense technology at scale.
Rising Global Defense Budgets: Military spending is increasing worldwide, with Europe seeing the largest budget increases. This government commitment provides a stable foundation for private investment in defense technology.
AI Ethical Shift: Mainstream venture firms dropped ethical objections to defense investing, reframing it as "supporting democratic values." This opened both pure defense and dual-use opportunities for AI applications.
For 2026, the challenge shifts from invention to execution. Manufacturing scale is the next competitive battleground, with manufacturing-focused defense investment rising to $4.7 billion across 39 deals in 2025. Companies that can convert facilities into repeatable output will disproportionately capture both capital and contract velocity.
This list highlights the 15 fastest-growing defense technology companies based on:
The defense technology sector's rapid evolution requires sophisticated intelligence capabilities for companies looking to engage with these innovators. Traditional database queries struggle to keep pace with the dynamic nature of defense tech, where companies pivot quickly based on battlefield needs and government priorities.
This is where patural-language targeting becomes essential. Instead of wrestling with complex filters, defense contractors and service providers can use plain-English prompts like "C-level executives at companies researching cloud security solutions" or "recently funded defense tech startups with 50-200 employees."
Landbase's platform combines company data with 1,500+ unique signals across firmographic, technographic, intent, hiring, and funding data to deliver AI-qualified audiences. For defense sector professionals, this means:
In a sector where timing is everything and relationships matter, AI-powered audience discovery provides the precision and speed needed to engage with the defense tech innovators shaping the future of national security.
A fastest-growing defense tech company is defined by significant recent funding activity, rapid valuation increases, and strategic importance to defense modernization. In 2025, this meant companies raising capital in a record-breaking $49.1 billion funding environment, with equity funding more than doubling to $17.9 billion. Companies like Chaos Industries, which raised $510 million Series D just six months after a $275 million Series C, exemplify the rapid pace of growth in this sector.
Venture capital has transformed the defense technology sector by introducing Silicon Valley speed and innovation to traditionally slow government procurement processes. The $49.1 billion in VC funding raised in 2025 demonstrates investor confidence that commercial ecosystems can deliver advanced technologies faster than traditional approaches. This shift enables companies to develop dual-use technologies that serve both commercial and defense markets, creating more sustainable business models while traditional defense contractors relied on multi-year government contracts.
AI plays a central role in modern defense technology development, enabling autonomous systems, battlefield decision-making, and threat detection. Companies like Helsing and Rebellion Defense develop battlefield AI software for military threat detection and command decisions, while Shield AI creates "AI pilots" that can operate aircraft in GPS-denied environments. The ethical debate around AI in defense has shifted, with mainstream VCs now viewing AI defense investment as supporting democratic values, opening both pure defense and dual-use opportunities that drive the sector's $49.1 billion funding surge.
These defense tech companies serve both domestic and international markets with different emphases. U.S.-based companies like Anduril and Shield AI primarily serve U.S. military customers but are expanding internationally, while European companies like Helsing specifically address European defense sovereignty needs. The international aspect is critical, as 47 countries now operate military satellites, making space domain awareness essential globally. Companies like Skydio serve international customers while maintaining their position as America's largest drone manufacturer.
Companies can identify and engage with defense tech decision-makers through AI-powered audience discovery platforms that combine comprehensive company data with real-time signals. Using natural-language targeting, sales and marketing teams can find specific roles like "C-level executives at defense contractors" or target companies based on activity like "recently funded startups" or "companies researching cloud security solutions." Platforms like Landbase provide access to 300 million+ contacts with 1,500+ unique signals, enabling precise targeting of the rapidly evolving defense technology ecosystem.
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