Saronic Secures $600M to Build Autonomous Warship Factory

Defense technology startup Saronic has raised $600 million in a Series C funding round to establish a production facility for autonomous warships. With this investment, the Austin-based company’s valuation has surged to $4 billion, quadrupling its worth from the previous round.

The funding was led by Elad Gil, with General Catalyst joining existing backers Andreessen Horowitz, 8VC, and Caffeinated Capital, among others. This makes Saronic one of the most valuable defense tech startups in the United States, following Anduril, which was valued at $14 billion in its latest round. Meanwhile, Shield AI is reportedly negotiating a new investment that could push its valuation to $5 billion. Anduril is also in discussions for another round that could double its valuation to $28 billion.

The funds will be used to develop an autonomous shipyard, named "Port Alpha." While the exact location has not yet been finalized, the company is actively seeking a site, according to a Saronic spokesperson. Co-founder and CEO Dino Mavrookas stated that the facility is envisioned as the "shipyard of the future" and is expected to begin operations within five years.

Currently, Saronic has developed three models of autonomous surface vessels (ASVs), measuring up to 24 feet in length. However, the planned facility will also produce larger unmanned warships, aiming to enhance U.S. naval shipbuilding capabilities in comparison to China.

The growing emphasis on autonomous warships has been reinforced by Ukraine’s use of drone boats, which have successfully challenged the Russian Navy in the Black Sea despite Ukraine having no significant manned fleet. The effectiveness of these vessels in modern conflicts has made them a strategic priority in military technology investments.

With this latest funding round, Saronic has raised a total of approximately $850 million. Speaking to CNBC, Mavrookas attributed the company’s soaring valuation to its ability to rapidly develop both vessels and software.

The autonomous defense sector is experiencing a wave of large-scale investments. Last month, Anduril announced plans for a billion-dollar megafactory in Ohio, signaling a broader push for advanced defense manufacturing capabilities. Saronic’s latest move underscores the continued momentum in the defense tech