Startup list · United States
Defence startups in United States
Below are the top US defence startups, ranked by total funding. Together the 50 companies on this list have raised a combined $34B, and include 23 unicorns. The strongest hubs are San Diego, Austin, Los Angeles.
$34Bcombined funding · 50 companies
San Diegotop hub
50companies shown
23unicorns
Ranked by total funding · Updated 2026-09-16 · Source: Dealroom
| # | Company | Founded | HQ | Funding |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
 A
AndurilUnicorn
AI-powered autonomous systems for multi-domain defense operations.
|
2017 | Costa Mesa, United States | $12B |
| 2 |
 S
Shield AIUnicorn
AI pilot software for autonomous military aircraft.
|
2015 | San Diego, United States | $3.0B |
| 3 |
 S
Saronic TechnologiesUnicorn
Surface vehicles integrating cutting-edge hardware, software, and artificial intelligence into a single, scalable, fully integrated platform to enhance maritime security and domain awareness
|
2022 | Austin, United States | $2.6B |
| 4 |
 C
CastelionUnicorn
Scalable, low-cost hypersonic strike missile systems.
|
2022 | Torrance, United States | $1.5B |
| 5 |
 M
Mach IndustriesUnicorn
Building next-generation defense systems
|
2023 | Huntington Beach, United States | $1.1B |
| 6 |
 C
Chaos IndustriesUnicorn
Coherent distributed networks for multi-domain defense systems.
|
2022 | Los Angeles, United States | $1.0B |
| 7 |
 T
True AnomalyUnicorn
Autonomous orbital defense systems for national space superiority
|
2022 | Denver, United States | $855M |
| 8 |
 S
SkydioUnicorn
Leverages breakthrough AI to create intelligent flying machines
|
2014 | San Mateo, United States | $851M |
| 9 |
 A
ApexUnicorn
Satellite buses enabling scalable commercial space missions
|
2020 | Los Angeles, United States | $719M |
| 10 |
 B
BlueVoyantUnicorn
Сonverges internal and external cyber defense capabilities into an outcomes-based, cloud-native, and single unified platform: BlueVoyant Elements™
|
2017 | New York City, United States | $696M |
| 11 |
 R
Radiant IndustriesUnicorn
Portable, failsafe nuclear microreactors for clean energy.
|
2019 | El Segundo, United States | $621M |
| 12 |
 F
ForterraUnicorn
Autonomous vehicle systems to serve and support soldiers and civilians working on the front lines
|
2002 | Clarksburg, United States | $584M |
| 13 |
 L
Long WallUnicorn
Deployable missile defense and hypersonic flight-test systems (formerly ABL Space Systems)
|
2017 | El Segundo, United States | $564M |
| 14 |
 E
EpirusUnicorn
Focused on national security, offering Leonidas, a software-defined, high-power microwave system with efficient power management
|
2018 | Hawthorne, United States | $548M |
| 15 |
 K
Kratos Defense and Security Solutions
Technology and products supporting strategic and transformational national security programs, bringing disruptive solutions rapidly to market
|
1994 | San Diego, United States | $491M |
| 16 |
 H
HermeusUnicorn
Reusable hypersonic aircraft for defense and security missions.
|
2018 | Atlanta, United States | $416M |
| 17 |
 A
AmcaUnicorn
Acquiring and developing critical aerospace and defense products with a focus on rapid prototyping and customer responsiveness
|
2024 | El Segundo, United States | $377M |
| 18 |
 U
Ursa Major$25M+ revenue
Hypersonics, solid rocket motors, and space-based defense systems
|
2015 | Berthoud, United States | $375M |
| 19 |
 N
NerosUnicorn
Designs and manufactures advanced unmanned drones and ground control systems for military applications
|
2023 | Los Angeles, United States | $371M |
| 20 |
 H
HarbingerFast growing
EV manufacturer focused on commercial vehicles
|
2021 | Gardena, United States | $358M |
| 21 |
 O
OnebriefUnicorn
A visual strategy tool that helps in campaign, contingency, and crisis planning
|
2019 | Honolulu, United States | $344M |
| 22 |
 R
Reliable RoboticsUnicorn
Advanced automation systems for aircraft
|
2017 | Mountain View, United States | $331M |
| 23 |
 S
Saildrone$25M+ revenue
Unmanned surface vehicles for maritime data and surveillance.
|
2014 | United States | $299M |
| 24 |
 P
Principal Mineral
Strategic materials platform for critical domestic supply chains.
|
2024 | Dallas, United States | $280M |
| 25 |
 A
Allen Control SystemsUnicorn
Autonomous counter-drone kinetic weapon systems.
|
2022 | Austin, United States | $242M |
| 26 |
 R
Rebellion Defense$25M+ revenue
AI software for national defense and security missions
|
2019 | Washington DC, United States | $224M |
| 27 |
 X
X-Bow Systems
Additive manufacturing of solid rocket motors.
|
2016 | Albuquerque, United States | $208M |
| 28 |
 E
Echodyne
Metamaterial radar solutions for autonomous systems and defense.
|
2014 | Bellevue, United States | $199M |
| 29 |
 H
HavocAIFast growing
Autonomous surface fleets delivering scalable maritime autonomy at cost-efficiency
|
2024 | Providence, United States | $196M |
| 30 |
 T
Triton Systems
A global business venture company that launches innovative products and solutions in emerging markets, investing in new technologies through in-house incubation and external partnerships
|
1992 | Chelmsford, United States | $189M |
| 31 |
 A
Auterion$100M+ revenue
Open source infrastructure for autonomous robots and drones
|
2017 | Arlington, United States | $183M |
| 32 |
 S
Shift5
Operational Intelligence platform for America's defense and transportation systems
|
2019 | Kansas City, United States | $182M |
| 33 |
 G
Govini$100M+ revenue
Defense acquisition software accelerating capability delivery
|
2011 | Pittsburgh, United States | $175M |
| 34 |
 D
Defense UnicornsUnicorn
Secure, mission-ready software delivery platforms and tools for national security and defense systems
|
2021 | Colorado Springs, United States | $172M |
| 35 |
 T
TwentyUnicorn
Industrial-scale cyber warfare and intelligence capabilities
|
2024 | Arlington, United States | $168M |
| 36 | C CathedralUnicorn AI-powered offensive and defensive cyber capabilities. | 2026 | United States | $160M |
| 37 |
 F
FirestormFast growing
Developing mission-adaptable aerial vehicles and upending the procurement cost paradigm
|
2022 | San Diego, United States | $160M |
| 38 |
 S
Second Front
Developer of cybersecurity products for the U.S. federal government
|
2014 | Wilmington, United States | $152M |
| 39 |
 O
Overland AIFast growing
Safer, smarter autonomous systems for off-road terrain
|
2023 | Seattle, United States | $141M |
| 40 |
 P
PDW
Modular tactical drone systems for global defense operations
|
2019 | Huntsville, United States | $135M |
| 41 |
 C
Cambium
Developer of advanced materials for extreme environments across aerospace, defense, and industrial sectors
|
2019 | Berkeley, United States | $127M |
| 42 |
 H
Hidden Level
Develops advanced RF sensing technology to detect aerial activity, trusted by NASA and the US Department of Defense for security and safety
|
2018 | Syracuse, United States | $125M |
| 43 |
 P
Percepto
Autonomous drone-in-a-box solution for industrial inspection
|
2014 | Austin, United States | $123M |
| 44 |
 F
Firehawk Aerospace
Additively manufactured rocket motors and propellants for defense.
|
2019 | Dallas, United States | $122M |
| 45 |
 S
Slingshot Aerospace$25M+ revenue
Building space simulation and analytics solutions to bring clarity to complex environments and create a safer world
|
2017 | Brea, United States | $115M |
| 46 |
 S
Scout AIFast growing
Building a robotic foundation model for defense
|
2024 | Sunnyvale, United States | $115M |
| 47 |
 E
Eclypsium
Helps organizations defend their systems against firmware, hardware, and supply chain attacks
|
2017 | Portland, United States | $114M |
| 48 |
 R
Red 6
Revolutionizing augmented reality (AR) for military training applications worldwide
|
2018 | Orlando, United States | $111M |
| 49 |
 Z
Zeno Power
Radioisotope power systems for extreme frontier environments
|
2018 | Washington DC, United States | $110M |
| 50 |
 F
Fortem Technologies$25M+ revenue
Detect all drone activity, secure your airspace and protect against attack from malicious or nefarious drones
|
2016 | Pleasant Grove, United States | $104M |
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