Best Aerospace, Maritime and Defense Tech Companies in Boston, United States
The 44 best Aerospace, Maritime and Defense Tech companies in Boston, United States in 2026, ranked by funding and momentum. Funding, investors, founders, valuation, tech stack and live signals. Top: Merlin Labs.
Our analysis of 50 Aerospace, Maritime and Defense Tech companies
$31.9b in tracked funding; 90% of the stack-profiled cohort runs cloud-native; funding activity peaked in 2021.
Ranked: Best Aerospace, Maritime and Defense Tech companies in Boston
| # | Company | Disclosed funding | Last round | Employees | Founder | Tech stack | Stage | Patents & IP focus | Recent signals |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Merlin Labs Developer of AI-enabled autonomous pilot software for civil and military aviation | $134M | 49 mo ago | 44 | Matt George Founder & CEO | DrupalApple iCloud MailGoogle Workspace+26 | Public | 614 patents Advanced directional drilling control, communication networks, and monitoring systems for oil/gas wells | 1 expansion |
| 2 | REGENT Craft Developer of wing-in-ground technology-based electric sea gliders | $94M | 26 mo ago | 45 | Michael Klinker Co-Founder and CTO | WebflowApple iCloud MailGoogle Workspace+18 | Series A | 50 patents Hydrofoil and winglet control systems for high‑performance marine and aerial craft | 1 internship · 1 expansion · 1 award |
| 3 | Accion Developer of ion beam-based electric propulsion systems for satellites | $72M | 23 mo ago | 23 | Natalya Bailey Founder | — | Series C | — | — |
| 4 | Sea Machines Provider of unmanned surface vehicles for industrial purposes | $46M | 31 mo ago | 26 26 → 58 (+123%) | — | WordPressMySQLPHP+32 | Series B | — | — |
| 5 | Neurala Developer of vision artificial intelligence software for industrial quality inspections | $33M | 62 mo ago | 30 | Anatoli Gorchet Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer | HubSpot CMS HubYouTubeHubSpot+19 | Series C | 74 patents Edge AI continual learning and on-device anomaly detection using adaptive deep neural networks | — |
| 6 | AirQtel Provider of ultra-high precision aerial surveillance data 27Funding top 38%Talent bottom 49%Global bottom 25% All 3 signals ▾Fundingtop 38% Talentbottom 49% Globalbottom 25% Funding: Raised $27.0M across 1 rounds · 1 rounds over 1 yrs (1.0/yr) Talent: 1 named leader on record · 1 C-suite/founder profile curated rank vs industry peers · Fliar Intelligence Index 27/100 | $27M | 18 mo ago | — | Vin Loccisano Founder & CEO | — | Series A | — | — |
| 7 | CargoMetrics Offers technology and method development for measuring maritime trade and in other fields | $24M | 30 mo ago | 19 | — | — | Series A | — | — |
| 8 | Flux Marine Electric boating: Revolutionizing marine propulsion with sustainable, powerful systems | $16M | 9 mo ago | 30 | Jonathan Lord Co-Founder & CTO | Webflow EcommerceWebflowStripe+16 | Series A | 30 patents Patents concentrated in transport & manufacturing processes | — |
| 9 | Maglev Aero Developer of e-VTOL aircraft | $12M | 18 mo ago | 24 | — | VimeoReactReact Router+10 | Series B | 50 patents VTOL aircraft propulsion, magnetic levitation, and advanced rotor/flight‑control systems | — |
| 10 | Plymouth Rock Provider of AI-based radar imaging and signal processing based threat detection solution | $7M | 37 mo ago | — | Philip Lancaster CEO | — | Public | — | — |
| 11 | Tellus Labs Provider of a machine learning-based geospatial platform using satellite imagery to provide actionable… | $3M | 90 mo ago | 708 | — | — | Acqui-Hired | 6 patents Recycling waste rubber into pyrolyzed rubber pellets for material reuse | — |
| 12 | GreenSight Agronomic Robotics, analytics, and automation solutions for golf, sports turf, agriculture, defense | $3M | 66 mo ago | 77 | — | WebflowAmazon Web ServicesHandlebars+17 | Series A | — | 2 launchs |
| 13 | PlotBox Offers cloud-based cemetery, crematory, and funeral software for centralized data management and streamlined… | $3M | 16 mo ago | 72 72 → 128 (+78%) | Leona McAllister Co-Founder | HubSpot CMS HubTwitch PlayerEnvoy+19 | Series A | — | 1 partnership |
| 14 | Zydro Manufacturer of unmanned surface and underwater vehicles for maritime operations | $2M | 4 mo ago | — | Chris Dalke Founder & CEO | — | Seed | — | 1 job opening |
| 15 | FreightFlows Provider of web-based predictive maritime analytics solutions for global trade | $2M | 53 mo ago | 5 | Matt Morgan Founder & CEO | — | Seed | — | — |
| 16 | Robotics 88 Platform provides autonomous drone solutions for wildland fire management | $925K | 36 mo ago | — | Erin Linebarger Co-Founder & CEO | — | Funding Raised | 103 patents Robotic automation for food processing, dispensing, slicing, and pump systems | — |
| 17 | Ascent AeroSystems Coaxial vehicle configuration based drones | $600K | 83 mo ago | 24 24 → 38 (+58%) | Nathaniel Meringer Co-Founder | WordPressMySQLPHP+29 | Acquired | 24 patents Design and propulsion of unmanned aerial vehicles, especially VTOL and hybrid systems. | — |
| 18 | Aura Intelligent Systems Provider of radar imaging solution for drones and autonomous vehicles | $256K | 67 mo ago | 6 | Jungah Lee Founder & CEO | — | Funding Raised | — | — |
| 19 | Cleo Robotics Specializing in safe, compact drones for GPS-denied and confined environments | $120K | 90 mo ago | 10 | Simon Czarnota Co-Founder & CTO | — | Seed | 17 patents Advanced vertical ducted‑fan propulsion and control systems for multi‑mode UAVs. | — |
| 20 | Airmada Maritime logistics and surverying services provider | $120K | 122 mo ago | 31 | — | — | Deadpooled | — | — |
Top 12 Aerospace, Maritime and Defense Tech companies in Boston
#1
Series A · Boston, Massachusetts · founded 2016 · 30 employees$15.5Mraised▾
Electric boating: Revolutionizing marine propulsion with sustainable, powerful systems. They design and build electric propulsion systems, partnering with hull manufacturers to deliver a better boating experience. Their systems improve every aspect of boating, from the all-electric outboard to supporting technology. They offer recreational boats like dual consoles, center consoles, and pontoons. They are revolutionizing marine propulsion to be more powerful, efficient, sustainable, and enjoyable. They are looking for passionate individuals to push the boundaries of electric propulsion and contribute to a cleaner marine industry. They offer electric outboards, electric motors, and electric propulsion technology. They are advancing electric propulsion technology to deliver boating experiences.
- Nov 2025Series A$15M
- Mar 2022Series A$15.5M
- Feb 2021Grant (prize money)$255.7K
- Jan 2021Grant (prize money)$50K
#2
Seed · Boston, Massachusetts · founded 2025$2Mraised▾
Manufacturer of unmanned surface and underwater vehicles for maritime operations. This business produces hardware and software systems designed for autonomous navigation and data collection in marine environments. The product line includes kits for surface vessels and tools for processing nautical charts. These systems facilitate remote sensing and observation tasks in oceanic domains.
- Mar 2026Seed$2M
#3
Series C · Boston, Massachusetts · founded 2014 · 23 employees$71.6Mraised▾
Developer of ion beam-based electric propulsion systems for satellites. It enables propulsion and attitude control for small satellites using an ionic liquid electrospray propulsion system. Its features include multi-mode compatibility, inertness, non-toxicity, MEMS-based manufacturing processes, and high resiliency.
- Sep 2024Series C$5.7M
- Jul 2021Series C$42M
- Feb 2020Series B$11M
- Oct 2018Series A$3M
#4
Series A · Boston, Massachusetts · founded 2021$27Mraised▾
Provider of ultra-high precision aerial surveillance data. This data is acquired through real-time, low earth orbit technology, exceeding the capabilities of many military systems. The service offers clients industry-best real-time data for risk management and threat mitigation. This enables informed decision-making based on precise and timely information.
- Feb 2025Series A$27M
#5
Series B · Boston, Massachusetts · founded 2017 · 24 employees$11.8Mraised▾
Developer of eVTOL (electric vertical take-off and landing) aircraft management platform designed to optimize mobility and connectivity. The company's platform helps in the deployment of high-performance and ultra-quiet vertical flight systems, enabling clients to improve urban air mobility systems.
- Jan 2025Series B$2.3M
- Nov 2021Series B$11.8M
#6
Series A · Boston, Massachusetts · founded 2020 · 45 employees$94.5Mraised▾
Developer of wing-in-ground technology-based electric sea gliders. Its passenger vehicles are a hybrid between an aircraft and a hydrofoil and use wing-in-ground-effect technology to travel at an altitude of a few metres above the surface of the water. It includes electric propulsion and long-distance travel.
- Jun 2024Series A—
- Mar 2024Series A—
- Jul 2023Series A$60.5M
- Mar 2023Series A—
#7
Series A · Boston, Massachusetts · founded 2012 · 72 employees$2.6Mraised▾
Offers cloud-based cemetery, crematory, and funeral software for centralized data management and streamlined operations. It is a cloud-based death care management solution that offers cemetery, crematory, and funeral software with integrated mapping technology to centralize all data, records, teams, and tasks. It provides document management software to keep records accessible.
- Apr 2025Series A—
- May 2019Series A$2.6M
- Nov 2018Conventional Debt—
- Oct 2017Conventional Debt—
#8
Series B · Boston, Massachusetts · founded 2014 · 26 employees$45.7Mraised▾
Sea Machines provides unmanned surface vehicles and technology for industrial applications. It offers SM300 which is a vessel intelligence system for survey vessels, patrol boats, ferries & other workboats providing autonomous command and control. Also offers SM200, which provides integrated, line-of-sight & remote-helm control for collaborative vessel operations, and SM400, which is an AI-powered situational awareness system for container ships.
- Dec 2023Series B$14.1M
- 2023Series B—
- Oct 2020Series B$5M
- Jul 2020Series B$15M
#9
Series A · Boston, Massachusetts · founded 2010 · 19 employees$24.4Mraised▾
CargoMetrics is a maritime company that offers technology and method development for measuring maritime trade and in other fields. It collects, computes and monetizes the data. The company uses big data and machine learning techniques to measure the moving maritime cargo using its proprietary platform consisting of sensors and satellites. It offers transportation and logistics solution platform 'TruFreight' to get real-time, data-driven transparency in freight pricing. It also offers data edge technology to view shipping updated in real-time.
- Jan 2024Series A$2.5M
- Aug 2017Series A$10M
- Aug 2016Series A$9.7M
- Jan 2015Seed$2.1M
#10
Public · Boston, Massachusetts · founded 2017 · 44 employees$133.5Mraised▾
Developer of AI-enabled autonomous pilot software for civil and military aviation. The software translates pilot skills into certified autonomous software. It manages all phases of flight, adjusting for conditions and mission demands. The pilot follows flight paths, avoids obstacles, adjusts for traffic, and understands airspace rules. It interacts with air traffic control and engages with human systems.
- Jul 2022Series B$105M
- May 2021Series B$25M
#11
Public · Boston, Massachusetts · founded 2016$7.1Mraised▾
Provider of AI-based radar imaging and signal processing-based threat detection solution. It develops security screening technologies to detect remotely assault firearms and suicide bombs concealed on the person or a carry bag. Its product portfolio includes millimeter remote imaging from an airborne drone that uses a thermographic inspection antenna used in security imaging of personnel, military inspection for emplaced threats, non-destructive inspection of oil and gas pipelines and plants, and navigation in degraded visual environments. It also offers wireless threat indication systems for threat detection screening in Wi-Fi-enabled zones in buildings and places, such as airports, shopping malls, schools, and sports venues. It offers multiple types of drones and microwave radar systems.
- Jul 2023Post IPO$594.4K
- Mar 2023Post IPO$1.7M
- Aug 2021Post IPO$318.4K
- Jan 2021Post IPO$392K
#12
Series C · Boston, Massachusetts · founded 2006 · 30 employees$33.1Mraised▾
Developer of vision artificial intelligence software for industrial quality inspections. The software helps manufacturers improve their vision inspection processes and automate anomaly and defect detection. It offers a vision artificial intelligence tool that can be retrofitted into existing production line infrastructure. The software provides flexibility to deploy vision artificial intelligence models to meet specific business needs.
- Jun 2021Series C$12M
- May 2020Series B$4.9M
- Feb 2017Series A$120K
- Dec 2016Series A$14M
Funding & investor landscape
Notable founders
Market landscape — 10 sub-themes by coverage
Share of Aerospace, Maritime and Defense Tech coverage by sub-theme.
Regulatory-risk over time rising
Funding & growth over time
funding rising · growth rising
How research on Launch Vehicles is moving in the United States
A read on the academic research around Launch Vehicles — which themes are gaining ground, the institutions and researchers driving them, and how the tone is shifting. Based on 1,518 United States-affiliated papers.
- Marshall Space Flight Center339
- Langley Research Center111
- Jacobs77
- Purdue University West Lafayette61
- Ames Research Center61
- Detonation1→8
- Trajectory2→6
- Rocket (weapon)16→20
- Combustor1→4
- Propellant13→14
- Detonation10→40
- Propulsion26→34
- Liquid-propellant rocket20→28
- Combustor10→15
- Combustion11→16
- Detonation2→11
- Rocket (weapon)20→21
- Rocket engine12→13
Where launch vehicles is researched across United States
Location clusters by institution affiliation — each city's volume, stance tone, and a quick read on its hot topic, what's advancing, the opening opportunity, and the main concern.
Who's filing launch vehicles patents in the United States
United States launch vehicles patent filing is accelerating — 333 filings from 249 assignees (2016–2025), led by Boeing, BLUE Origin, United Technologies; annual filings 29→46.
- Boeing47
- BLUE Origin44
- United Technologies33
- Venus Aerospace25
- 8 Rivers Capital19
- Aerojet Rocketdyne15
- Firehawk Aerospace13
- Aerojet General13
Common questions
Rohit lives in the feed. He covers what's moving right now — the funding rounds, launches and shifts breaking across the trade press — and ties them back to where the sector is heading.