Austin-based defense tech startup Saronic has secured $600 million in Series C funding to develop Port Alpha, an advanced factory for producing autonomous warships.
The roundThe round, led by Elad Gil, also saw participation from General Catalyst, Andreessen Horowitz, 8VC, and Caffeinated Capital. This funding quadruples Saronic’s valuation to $4 billion, making it one of the top three most valuable defense startups in the U.S., behind Anduril ($14B) and Shield AI (potentially $5B).
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Building the “Shipyard of the Future”
Saronic is still finalizing a location for Port Alpha, but the facility is expected to begin operations within five years, according to CEO Dino Mavrookas. The factory will mass-produce both small and large unmanned vessels, bolstering U.S. naval capabilities against competitors like China.
AI-Powered Naval Warfare
Saronic has already developed three autonomous surface vessel (ASV) models up to 24 feet long—half the size of a standard lifeboat. The company aims to scale up production to larger autonomous warships, following global trends in AI-powered naval warfare, as seen in Ukraine’s successful use of drone ships against Russia’s navy.
Riding the Defense Tech Investment Wave
The company has now raised $850 million to date, benefiting from growing interest in defense startups. The company’s latest round follows similar mega-deals, including:
- Anduril’s planned $28 billion raise
- Shield AI’s rumored $5 billion valuation round
With Port Alpha, Saronic is positioning itself as a key innovator in autonomous military technology, reshaping the future of AI-driven naval defense.
