Saronic Technologies
Austin-based maker of autonomous surface vessels for naval use, from the 24-foot Corsair to the 180-foot Marauder.
- Robotics funding from mid-September to mid-October 2026: chips, data and safety took the private money while humanoid makers turned to stock markets
In the 30 days to October 14, 2026, MEKAWIRE verified 14 private robotics rounds with disclosed amounts worth $1,071.3 million. Compute chips took 51.3%, robot models 20.5% and data, perception and safety software 8.7%, while humanoid makers received $10 million, or 0.9%, against 13.4% between January and mid-September. The four October rounds, Mecka, Multiply Labs, SafeWorld and Minerva Humanoids, paid for what stands between a capable robot and a paid deployment, while humanoid makers raised through an IPO, a SPAC and a Form D offering.
Mentioned - Kraken Robotics closes C$615 million Covelya deal and lifts its 2026 revenue outlook to as much as C$320 million
Kraken Robotics completed its acquisition of UK-based Covelya Group, the parent of Sonardyne, EIVA, Forcys, Voyis and Chelsea Technologies, on July 2, 2026 for about C$615 million in cash and shares. The Canadian sonar and subsea battery maker raised its 2026 revenue guidance to C$290 million to C$320 million from C$165 million to C$175 million.
Mentioned - Saronic raises $1.75 billion at a $9.25 billion valuation to turn uncrewed warships into a shipbuilding business
Austin-based Saronic Technologies said on March 31, 2026 it had closed a $1.75 billion Series D led by Kleiner Perkins at a $9.25 billion valuation, about 2.3 times the $4 billion set in its February 2025 Series C. The autonomous surface vessel maker is putting shipyards at the centre of its plan, including a $300 million expansion in Louisiana and a planned next-generation yard called Port Alpha.
Subject - Shield AI raises $2 billion at a $12.7 billion valuation and buys Aechelon, the simulation house behind the Pentagon's combat test range
Shield AI is raising $1.5 billion in Series G equity led by Advent International at a $12.7 billion post-money valuation, plus $500 million of fixed-return preferred equity from Blackstone funds. The San Diego company is also buying Aechelon Technology, the simulation provider for the Pentagon's Joint Simulation Environment, to train its Hivemind AI pilot in synthetic worlds.
Mentioned - Zipline raises more than $600 million at a $7.6 billion valuation as its drone deliveries pass 2 million
Zipline said on January 21, 2026 that it raised more than $600 million at a $7.6 billion valuation from investors including Fidelity, Baillie Gifford, Valor Equity Partners and Tiger Global. The drone delivery operator has passed two million commercial deliveries, says US volumes grew about 15% a week for seven months, and will launch in Houston and Phoenix before entering at least four new states in 2026.
Mentioned - Trump orders a BVLOS drone rule within 30 days and a Buy American push, turning US drone policy from bans into industrial policy
President Donald Trump signed two executive orders on June 6, 2025 that direct the FAA to propose a rule for routine beyond visual line of sight drone flights within 30 days and finalise it within 240 days, order agencies to prioritise US-made drones, and tell the Pentagon to widen its Blue UAS list. A companion order creates a federal task force on airspace sovereignty and expands counter-drone powers ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2028 Olympics.
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