Top 100 Military startups in USA
Jul 26, 2026
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26
1
Funding: $6.5M
Albacore is a developer of long-range autonomous underwater vehicles designed to deter maritime invasions.
Albacore is a developer of long-range autonomous underwater vehicles designed to deter maritime invasions.
2
Funding: $3M
Aventra Defense Systems operates as a defense technology start-up developing low-cost glide and guidance systems for ultra long-range precision strikes
Aventra Defense Systems operates as a defense technology start-up developing low-cost glide and guidance systems for ultra long-range precision strikes
3
Funding: $1.1B
Divergent is a developer (that has defense contracts) of Divergent Adaptive Production System a software-hardware solution to replace traditional vehicle manufacturing.
Divergent is a developer (that has defense contracts) of Divergent Adaptive Production System a software-hardware solution to replace traditional vehicle manufacturing.
4
Funding: $170M
Govini is transforming Defense Acquisition into a strategic advantage for the United States.
Govini is transforming Defense Acquisition into a strategic advantage for the United States.
5
Funding: $61M
Rapidly equipping warfighters with cutting-edge technology and battlefield-proven insights as-a-service—because speed and tech relevance matter now more than ever.
Rapidly equipping warfighters with cutting-edge technology and battlefield-proven insights as-a-service—because speed and tech relevance matter now more than ever.
7
Funding: $2.2B
Sierra Space is building and operating military sattelites for missile detection and tracking.
Sierra Space is building and operating military sattelites for missile detection and tracking.
8
Funding: $1.1B
True Anomaly develops space security technologies. Its AI platform aims to fill a critical gap in space situational awareness and defensive operations and consists of Mosaic software for geospatial imagery analysis and hardware, including a line of autonomous spacecraft capable of rendezvous and close-proximity operations. These spacecraft, dubbed Jackal, are equipped with a suite of sensors and cameras for tracking, observing, and collecting data on objects in space. Jackal offers high maneuverability, regardless of payload and low cost. Its high-performance propulsion system and secure software base provide unmatched autonomy and control - designed from the ground up for highly dynamic missions to gain space superiority in any competitive orbital environment.
True Anomaly develops space security technologies. Its AI platform aims to fill a critical gap in space situational awareness and defensive operations and consists of Mosaic software for geospatial imagery analysis and hardware, including a line of autonomous spacecraft capable of rendezvous and close-proximity operations. These spacecraft, dubbed Jackal, are equipped with a suite of sensors and cameras for tracking, observing, and collecting data on objects in space. Jackal offers high maneuverability, regardless of payload and low cost. Its high-performance propulsion system and secure software base provide unmatched autonomy and control - designed from the ground up for highly dynamic missions to gain space superiority in any competitive orbital environment.
9
Funding: $566M
Hermeus is developing unmanned hypersonic aircraft Darkhorse designed for US defense and national security missions. It will be powered by the Chimera combined-cycle turbine engine. At low speeds, it operates in turbine mode, like any jet aircraft. At higher speeds, the incoming air bypasses the turbine, and the ramjet engine takes over control. The company uses a rapid prototyping and testing approach similar to SpaceX. It has already conducted a demonstration flight of its prototype, which is comparable in size to an F-16 fighter jet. Hermeus has also a contract with the US Air Force to develop an Advanced Battle Management System.
Hermeus is developing unmanned hypersonic aircraft Darkhorse designed for US defense and national security missions. It will be powered by the Chimera combined-cycle turbine engine. At low speeds, it operates in turbine mode, like any jet aircraft. At higher speeds, the incoming air bypasses the turbine, and the ramjet engine takes over control. The company uses a rapid prototyping and testing approach similar to SpaceX. It has already conducted a demonstration flight of its prototype, which is comparable in size to an F-16 fighter jet. Hermeus has also a contract with the US Air Force to develop an Advanced Battle Management System.
10
Funding: $347.1M
Gecko Robotics produces robots and sensors for inspecting large military objects. The company has signed a multi-year contract with the US Navy to monitor the state and performance of installations and ships in the US Pacific Fleet. The company's software helps the organization monitor the condition of installations and recommend maintenance, preventing problems before they occur and reducing maintenance time and costs. Gecko robots can climb, crawl, swim, and fly to build first-order data layers on the physical world. The company then combines these data with the predictive power of AI into a single source of truth for the physical world.
Gecko Robotics produces robots and sensors for inspecting large military objects. The company has signed a multi-year contract with the US Navy to monitor the state and performance of installations and ships in the US Pacific Fleet. The company's software helps the organization monitor the condition of installations and recommend maintenance, preventing problems before they occur and reducing maintenance time and costs. Gecko robots can climb, crawl, swim, and fly to build first-order data layers on the physical world. The company then combines these data with the predictive power of AI into a single source of truth for the physical world.
11
Funding: $171.5M
Defense Unicorns is a software startup that provides open-source software and AI capabilities for National Security systems.
Defense Unicorns is a software startup that provides open-source software and AI capabilities for National Security systems.
12
Funding: $100M
Aalyria is a telecom startup that specializes in data connectivity and reliability through weather and atmospheric conditions.
Aalyria is a telecom startup that specializes in data connectivity and reliability through weather and atmospheric conditions.
13
Funding: $73M
Vatn Systems creates affordable autonomous underwater vehicles that operate in cooperative groups (swarms). They use machine vision systems and AI-based navigation software that operates effectively in environments with limited access to GPS, while simultaneously reducing hardware costs. The modular design allows the vehicle to be tailored to the required range, accuracy and sensors for each mission at minimal cost. Vatn's UAVs synchronize in time and space to perform collaborative missions, enabling the rapid completion of complex missions. This is achieved through advanced trajectory planning and low-bandwidth, covert communications between UAVs. Vatn's primary investor and partner is the South Korean shipping giant Hanwha Group, which builds submarines.
Vatn Systems creates affordable autonomous underwater vehicles that operate in cooperative groups (swarms). They use machine vision systems and AI-based navigation software that operates effectively in environments with limited access to GPS, while simultaneously reducing hardware costs. The modular design allows the vehicle to be tailored to the required range, accuracy and sensors for each mission at minimal cost. Vatn's UAVs synchronize in time and space to perform collaborative missions, enabling the rapid completion of complex missions. This is achieved through advanced trajectory planning and low-bandwidth, covert communications between UAVs. Vatn's primary investor and partner is the South Korean shipping giant Hanwha Group, which builds submarines.
14
Funding: $31.6M
Grid Aero develops and manufactures autonomous cargo drones for long-range flights. Its Lifter aircraft is capable of carrying thousands of kilograms of cargo over thousands of kilometers. Combining ultra-simple and low-cost designs with advanced autonomous systems, it can reliably operate in remote or hostile environments, where infrastructure is limited or military operations are taking place. Furthermore, the loss of such a drone does not incur significant losses. Grid's autonomous control system combines classic control systems with modern AI, enabling aircraft to operate intelligently over long distances. It learns from other aircraft in the Grid network and minimizes the need for human oversight. Lifter aircraft operate as a fault-tolerant distributed network. With seamless fleet-wide control, a small ground team can manage dozens of aircraft over vast regions.
Grid Aero develops and manufactures autonomous cargo drones for long-range flights. Its Lifter aircraft is capable of carrying thousands of kilograms of cargo over thousands of kilometers. Combining ultra-simple and low-cost designs with advanced autonomous systems, it can reliably operate in remote or hostile environments, where infrastructure is limited or military operations are taking place. Furthermore, the loss of such a drone does not incur significant losses. Grid's autonomous control system combines classic control systems with modern AI, enabling aircraft to operate intelligently over long distances. It learns from other aircraft in the Grid network and minimizes the need for human oversight. Lifter aircraft operate as a fault-tolerant distributed network. With seamless fleet-wide control, a small ground team can manage dozens of aircraft over vast regions.
15
Funding: $21.4M
Integrate develops collaboration platform designed to allow private companies, the U.S. Department of Defense to work jointly on classified, multi-entity projects. It's designed to handle the coordination of mammoth, multi-year mega-projects, such as the F-35 Lightning II program, where thousands of partners must stay in sync What sets Integrate apart from its civilian-focused competitors is its ability to let different organizations simultaneously and securely collaborate on massive project schedules while keeping sensitive details hidden from other participants.
Integrate develops collaboration platform designed to allow private companies, the U.S. Department of Defense to work jointly on classified, multi-entity projects. It's designed to handle the coordination of mammoth, multi-year mega-projects, such as the F-35 Lightning II program, where thousands of partners must stay in sync What sets Integrate apart from its civilian-focused competitors is its ability to let different organizations simultaneously and securely collaborate on massive project schedules while keeping sensitive details hidden from other participants.
16
Funding: $7.2M
Obviant is a data intelligence platform to simplify defense acquisition & GTM.
Obviant is a data intelligence platform to simplify defense acquisition & GTM.
17
developing humanoid robots powered by artificial intelligence. It has a contract with the Pentagon to deliver its “Phantom” humanoid robot for Marine Corps
18
Funding: $11.4B
Anduril Industries is a defense product company that builds technology for military agencies and border surveillance. Provider of AI-based surveillance and reconnaissance solutions for the defense sector. It offers an autonomous operational platform based on sensor fusion, machine learning, and mesh networking to monitor and control warfare assets.
Anduril Industries is a defense product company that builds technology for military agencies and border surveillance. Provider of AI-based surveillance and reconnaissance solutions for the defense sector. It offers an autonomous operational platform based on sensor fusion, machine learning, and mesh networking to monitor and control warfare assets.
19
Funding: $3.6B
Shield AI is developing X-BAT - large, AI-controlled vertical takeoff and landing fighter jet, as well as the Hivemind - intelligent platform for military applications. X-BAT has a 12-meter wingspan, a maximum range of 2,000 nautical miles, and a 4G maneuvering load factor. It can carry combat missiles and take off and land from ships, remote islands or rugged forward bases, eliminating dependence on traditional infrastructure. Its AI autopilot can operate in conditions of GPS and communications interference. The company is collaborating with the US Department of Defense to develop next-generation intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance systems and low-cost missiles. Its Vidar multi-camera system, with day and night vision cameras and sensors, is installed on reconnaissance drones for edge video analytics and mapping. The company is also developing Tracker C-UAS, an intelligent software solution for the early detection of drones in air defense systems using video from electro-optical and infrared sensors.
Shield AI is developing X-BAT - large, AI-controlled vertical takeoff and landing fighter jet, as well as the Hivemind - intelligent platform for military applications. X-BAT has a 12-meter wingspan, a maximum range of 2,000 nautical miles, and a 4G maneuvering load factor. It can carry combat missiles and take off and land from ships, remote islands or rugged forward bases, eliminating dependence on traditional infrastructure. Its AI autopilot can operate in conditions of GPS and communications interference. The company is collaborating with the US Department of Defense to develop next-generation intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance systems and low-cost missiles. Its Vidar multi-camera system, with day and night vision cameras and sensors, is installed on reconnaissance drones for edge video analytics and mapping. The company is also developing Tracker C-UAS, an intelligent software solution for the early detection of drones in air defense systems using video from electro-optical and infrared sensors.
20
Funding: $2.6B
Saronic develops advanced unmanned surface vehicles (USVs) that provide maritime security and situational awareness by combining best-in-class hardware, software, and artificial intelligence into a single, scalable, fully integrated platform. The company produces the Corsair (a 24-foot autonomous surface vessel), Mirage (a 40-foot vessel), and Marauder (a 180-foot cargo boat). Artificial intelligence and cross-platform data fusion enable multi-asset teaming. Digital twins accelerate learning and reduce risk prior to system validation in the physical world. Saronic operates its own shipyard in Franklin and plans to build another mega-factory.
Saronic develops advanced unmanned surface vehicles (USVs) that provide maritime security and situational awareness by combining best-in-class hardware, software, and artificial intelligence into a single, scalable, fully integrated platform. The company produces the Corsair (a 24-foot autonomous surface vessel), Mirage (a 40-foot vessel), and Marauder (a 180-foot cargo boat). Artificial intelligence and cross-platform data fusion enable multi-asset teaming. Digital twins accelerate learning and reduce risk prior to system validation in the physical world. Saronic operates its own shipyard in Franklin and plans to build another mega-factory.
