Tldr:
- Saronic raised $1.75 billion in Series D funding, raising its valuation to $9.25 billion amid strong investor demand.
- The company plans to expand production to more than 20 autonomous ships per year by 2027
- The new capital will expand shipyards in Texas and Louisiana, including the Port Alpha project
- Saronic develops AI-powered maritime systems for defense and commercial operations
Saronic Technologies has secured $1.75 billion in Series D funding, bringing its valuation to $9.25 billion. The round, led by Kleiner Perkins, supports the expansion of autonomous ship production for defense and commercial maritime operations.
Funding round and investor participation
Saronic It confirmed the financing through an official statement on March 31, 2026. The round attracted participation from several major investment companies and existing backers. These companies include Advent, Bessemer Venture Partners, DFJ Growth, BAM Elevate, and Andreessen Horowitz.
Additional support came from 8VC, Caffeinated Capital, Elad Gil, and Franklin Templeton. The funding represents a sharp increase from the previous Series C round of $600 million. That previous round valued the company at $4 billion in 2025.
Coin Bureau’s posts on X also amplified the announcement shortly after the release. One widely shared update described the increase as a major step toward expanding the production of unmanned warships. The publication indicated the company’s focus on supplying the US Army with self-driving ships.
The company’s leadership stated that the capital will work to accelerate manufacturing capacity and ship development. The goal is to deliver more than 20 unmanned ships annually by 2027. This target is in line with growing demand from defense partners and allied governments.
Expansion of shipbuilding and autonomous systems
Saronic plans to use the funds to expand shipbuilding infrastructure in Texas And Louisiana. The main project includes the development of the next generation shipyard, Port Alpha. This facility is expected to support large-scale production of autonomous vessels.
The company is also expanding its existing shipyard in Franklin, Louisiana. It has already allocated $300 million to expand the site. The expansion is expected to create about 1,500 job opportunities in the region.
Saronic continues to build a range of ships, from smaller Corsair models to larger Marauder ships. The Marauder, a 180-foot autonomous vessel, was recently completed in six months. This reflects the company’s focus on faster production timelines.
In parallel, the company is developing artificial intelligence-based marine systems for both surface and subsurface operations. These systems aim to improve the endurance, range and payload capacity of autonomous fleets. Demand for these capabilities has increased among defense and commercial customers.
The company has also expanded its operational footprint outside the United States. New centers have opened in San Diego and Washington, D.C., along with international expansion in the United Kingdom and… Australia. Its workforce has grown to more than 1,300 employees.
Saronic said her approach combines software-based design with modern manufacturing systems. This model aims to expand production scale efficiently while maintaining performance standards. The new funding will support continued development in these areas.
