Radar · Aerospace, Maritime and Defense Tech in San Francisco
Best Aerospace, Maritime and Defense Tech Companies in San Francisco, United States
The 130 best Aerospace, Maritime and Defense Tech companies in San Francisco, United States in 2026, ranked by funding and momentum. Funding, investors, founders, valuation, tech stack and live signals. Top: Zipline.
By Rohit KhannaTrends & Stories
130companies tracked
$4.4Bdisclosed funding
4unicorns
74have raised
FLIAR INTELLIGENCE · AEROSPACE, MARITIME AND DEFENSE TECH × SAN FRANCISCO
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.
50companies analysed
90%cloud-native stacks
2021funding peak (by rounds)
20unicorns
2017median founding year
893kcombined LinkedIn audience
46%of audience held by top 3
8companies hiring publicly (12 mo)
Ranked: Best Aerospace, Maritime and Defense Tech companies in San Francisco
| # | Company | Disclosed funding | Last round | Stage | Employees | Founder | Patents & IP focus | Recent signals |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Zipline 🦄 Provider of drones for on-demand delivery services 96Moat top 15%Funding top 19%Talent top 19%Market top 23% All 10 signals ▾Moattop 15% Fundingtop 19% Talenttop 19% Markettop 23% Producttop 24% Innovationtop 25% Growthtop 26% Customerstop 26% Techtop 32% Globaltop 36% Moat: Editorial + unicorn rating 9/10 · Unicorn Funding: Raised $900M · 11 rounds over 14 yrs (0.8/yr) rank vs industry peers · Fliar Intelligence Index 96/100 | $900M | 37 mo ago | Series F | 496 | Keller Rinaudo Cliffton Co-Founder & CEO | — | 1 launch |
| 2 | Astranis 🦄 Developer of satellite-based communication services 76Funding top 15%Product top 26%Moat top 26%Innovation top 27% All 11 signals ▾Fundingtop 15% Producttop 26% Moattop 26% Innovationtop 27% Growthtop 34% Talenttop 34% Markettop 40% Partnerstop 40% Techbottom 49% Globalbottom 39% Newsbottom 29% Funding: Raised $753M across 10 rounds · 10 rounds over 11 yrs (0.9/yr) Product: 3 distinct product lines · Company stage: Series E rank vs industry peers · Fliar Intelligence Index 76/100 | $753M | 1 mo ago | Series E | 195 | Ryan McLinko Co-Founder | — | — |
| 3 | Planet 🦄 Provider of daily satellite imagery and geospatial data analytics services 62Funding top 16%Tech top 20%Moat top 28%Product top 35% All 11 signals ▾Fundingtop 16% Techtop 20% Moattop 28% Producttop 35% Newstop 37% Patentstop 39% Globaltop 40% Markettop 41% Innovationtop 47% Talentbottom 49% Growthbottom 38% Funding: Raised $484M across 11 rounds · 11 rounds over 15 yrs (0.7/yr) Tech: 88 technologies across 6/8 capability areas · Cloud: Amazon Cloudfront, Amazon S3 rank vs industry peers · Fliar Intelligence Index 62/100 | $484M | 9 mo ago | Public | 25 | Robbie Schingler Co-Founder and Chief Strategy Officer | 93 patents Satellite remote sensing: SAR imaging, HDR optics, antenna design, deployment mechanisms, RF interference mitigation | 3 launchs · 1 partnership |
| 4 | FLYR Developer of an AI-powered platform for travel and transportation industries 50Funding top 17%Moat top 41%Market top 43%Tech top 45% All 11 signals ▾Fundingtop 17% Moattop 41% Markettop 43% Techtop 45% AItop 45% Talentbottom 49% Growthbottom 40% Globalbottom 39% Innovationbottom 32% Patentsbottom 28% Newsbottom 22% Funding: Raised $375M across 6 rounds · 6 rounds over 5 yrs (1.2/yr) Moat: Editorial + unicorn rating 6/10 · IP moat: 3 patents rank vs industry peers · Fliar Intelligence Index 50/100 | $375M | 22 mo ago | Series D | 598 | Alex Mans Founder & CEO | 3 patents E‑commerce price protection and product conversion verification systems | — |
| 5 | Spire Provider of space-based data, analytics, and space services using a large nanosatellite constellation in low… 64Partners top 17%Funding top 18%Moat top 29%Market top 30% All 13 signals ▾Partnerstop 17% Fundingtop 18% Moattop 29% Markettop 30% Patentstop 33% Talenttop 33% Newstop 37% Innovationtop 43% Techtop 44% Producttop 46% Globaltop 47% Growthbottom 45% Fin. healthbottom 45% Partners: 6 contract events in 12 mo · Named contractor/client in 6 deals Funding: Raised $246M across 18 rounds · 18 rounds over 13 yrs (1.4/yr) rank vs industry peers · Fliar Intelligence Index 64/100 | $246M | 2 mo ago | Acquired | 132 | Peter Platzer Founder & CEO | 147 patents Wearable physiological monitoring devices and low-cost satellite communication systems | 1 partnership |
| 6 | Swift Navigation Provider of precise positioning solutions for automotive, mobile, and mass markets 74Funding top 19%Innovation top 20%Patents top 22%Tech top 24% All 10 signals ▾Fundingtop 19% Innovationtop 20% Patentstop 22% Techtop 24% Moattop 26% Producttop 29% Growthtop 45% Newstop 46% Marketbottom 47% Globalbottom 42% Funding: Raised $200M across 6 rounds · 6 rounds over 12 yrs (0.5/yr) Innovation: 129 patents (top 9% of patent-holders) · 97 filings since 2022 vs 31 in 2017-21 rank vs industry peers · Fliar Intelligence Index 74/100 | $200M | 10 mo ago | Series E | 102 102 → 130 (+27%) · sector median +34% | — | 129 patents Real-time GNSS correction, integrity monitoring, and outlier mitigation for precise positioning | 1 award |
| 7 | Loft Orbital 🦄 Provider of space mission launch services | $156M | 17 mo ago | Series C | 76 | Pierre Vaujour Co-Founder & CEO | 7 patents On-orbit satellite servicing and spacecraft operational platforms | 1 launch · 1 partnership |
| 8 | DroneDeploy Provider of a cloud software platform for commercial drones | $142M | 64 mo ago | Series E | 238 238 → 375 (+58%) · sector median +34% | Jono Millin Founder | 21 patents Patents concentrated in computing, sensing & instrumentation | 1 job opening |
| 9 | Dedrone Provider of AI-based smart airspace security solutions | $130M | 47 mo ago | Acquired | 48 | Ingo Seebach Co-Founder & COO | 61 patents UAV detection, tracking, and countermeasure technologies using RF, radar, and signal analysis | — |
| 10 | Airware Develops an integrated platform for delivering drone-based solutions to enterprise clients | $116M | 112 mo ago | Acqui-Hired | 55 | — | 78 patents Optical spectroscopy and NDIR sensing technologies for liquid analysis and measurement | — |
| 11 | Elroy Air Autonomous aircraft systems for cargo delivery purposes 62Growth top 18%News top 20%Funding top 27%Moat top 31% All 10 signals ▾Growthtop 18% Newstop 20% Fundingtop 27% Moattop 31% Talenttop 34% Partnerstop 40% Producttop 49% Techbottom 47% Marketbottom 40% Globalbottom 39% Growth: Headcount 18 → 48 (+167%) across vintages · Fresh capital in last 24 mo News: 6 BI events in 12 mo (of 31 tracked, 6 types) · +200% YoY rank vs industry peers · Fliar Intelligence Index 62/100 | $110M | 19 mo ago | Series B | 48 48 → 45 (-6%) · sector median +34% | Clint Cope Chief Product Officer & Co-Founder | — | 2 launchs · 2 partnerships |
| 12 | Skycatch Developer of drone automation and data analysis software platform solutions | $74M | 62 mo ago | Series B | 10 | Christian Sanz CEO | 46 patents UAV aerial photogrammetry: precise camera positioning, 3D mapping, mission planning, stockpile analytics | — |
| 13 | Portside Cloud-based aircraft management systems 62News top 24%Funding top 25%Growth top 28%Partners top 31% All 11 signals ▾Newstop 24% Fundingtop 25% Growthtop 28% Partnerstop 31% Moattop 39% Techtop 40% Producttop 43% Innovationtop 45% Talenttop 46% Marketbottom 49% Globalbottom 36% News: 6 BI events in 12 mo (of 19 tracked, 4 types) · +100% YoY Funding: Raised $70.0M across 2 rounds · 2 rounds over 5 yrs (0.4/yr) rank vs industry peers · Fliar Intelligence Index 62/100 | $70M | 3 mo ago | Series B | 111 | Alek Strygin Co-Founder | — | — |
| 14 | Xwing Developer of autonomous aircraft technologies | $57M | 62 mo ago | Series B | 87 | — | 13 patents Patents concentrated in computing, sensing & instrumentation | — |
| 15 | Sofar Ocean Provider of marine weather forecasts and ocean condition monitoring solutions 64AI top 15%Tech top 24%Funding top 31%Moat top 31% All 11 signals ▾AItop 15% Techtop 24% Fundingtop 31% Moattop 31% Growthtop 35% Talenttop 38% Producttop 46% Marketbottom 45% Patentsbottom 38% Globalbottom 37% Innovationbottom 34% AI: Holds AI/ML patents (G06N-family CPC) Tech: 50 technologies across 5/8 capability areas · Cloud: Amazon Cloudfront, Amazon S3 rank vs industry peers · Fliar Intelligence Index 64/100 | $48M | 14 mo ago | Series B | 91 | Tim Janssen Co-Founder & CEO | 10 patents Marine weather forecasting and metocean sensor integration solutions | 1 partnership |
| 16 | Ulysses Developer of autonomous underwater vehicles and integrated hardware and software systems 45Talent top 28%Funding top 45%Global bottom 33% All 3 signals ▾Talenttop 28% Fundingtop 45% Globalbottom 33% Talent: 4 named leaders on record · 4 C-suite/founder profiles curated Funding: Raised $46.1M across 2 rounds · 2 rounds over 1 yrs (2.0/yr) rank vs industry peers · Fliar Intelligence Index 45/100 | $46M | 2 mo ago | Series A | — | Will Brien Co-Founder & President | — | — |
| 17 | Orbital Sidekick Platform offering space-based hyperspectral imaging and analysis solutions | $44M | 11 mo ago | Series A | 27 27 → 20 (-26%) · sector median +34% | Tushar Prabhakar Co-Founder & COO | — | 1 job opening |
| 18 | Orbit Fab Provider of in-space refueling services and hardware for spacecraft operations 62Innovation top 23%Patents top 25%Moat top 30%Growth top 35% All 9 signals ▾Innovationtop 23% Patentstop 25% Moattop 30% Growthtop 35% Fundingtop 36% Marketbottom 45% Techbottom 45% Newsbottom 42% Globalbottom 42% Innovation: 46 patents (top 33% of patent-holders) · 35 filings since 2022 vs 11 in 2017-21 Patents: 46 patents matched (strict assignee match) · 35 filings since 2022 vs 11 in 2017-21 rank vs industry peers · Fliar Intelligence Index 62/100 | $43M | 3 mo ago | Series B | 100 100 → 93 (-7%) · sector median +34% | — | 46 patents In-space fluid transfer, valve, propellant production, and fiducial marker technologies for spacecraft servicing | 1 launch |
| 19 | GetMyBoat Operator of an online platform providing boat rentals and yacht charters | $36M | 51 mo ago | Series B | 7 | — | — | — |
| 20 | Airspace Intelligence Provider of AI-enabled operational data analytics solutions for airlines | $34M | 30 mo ago | Series B | 74 | Lucas Kukielka Co-Founder & VP Product Engineering | — | 1 partnership |
| 21 | Corvus Robotics Autonomous drone systems for warehouse inventory management and disinfection 35Product top 32%Funding top 34%Innovation top 37%Patents top 39% All 11 signals ▾Producttop 32% Fundingtop 34% Innovationtop 37% Patentstop 39% Moattop 42% Growthtop 48% Newsbottom 42% Techbottom 41% Talentbottom 40% Globalbottom 39% Marketbottom 25% Product: 1 product launch event in 12 mo, 1 the year before · 12 distinct product lines Funding: Raised $28.1M across 3 rounds · 3 rounds over 9 yrs (0.3/yr) rank vs industry peers · Fliar Intelligence Index 35/100 | $28M | 21 mo ago | Series A | 10 | Mohammed Kabir Co-Founder & CTO | 11 patents Autonomous material handling robots and aerial drone logistics, including navigation, docking, and extreme‑temp operation. | — |
| 22 | Clear Metal Provider of AI and web-enabled data analytics platforms for the container shipping industry | $27M | 76 mo ago | Acqui-Hired | 56 | — | — | — |
| 23 | Hivemapper Network of contributors providing real-time street-level mapping data and applications 64AI top 15%Growth top 28%Tech top 28%Funding top 33% All 12 signals ▾AItop 15% Growthtop 28% Techtop 28% Fundingtop 33% Customerstop 34% Talenttop 41% Producttop 46% Moattop 47% Innovationbottom 40% Globalbottom 37% Marketbottom 34% Patentsbottom 29% AI: Holds AI/ML patents (G06N-family CPC) Growth: Web rank 10,000,000 → 5,000,000 YoY · Fresh capital in last 24 mo rank vs industry peers · Fliar Intelligence Index 64/100 | $23M | 11 mo ago | Series B | 23 23 → 43 (+87%) · sector median +34% | Ariel Seidman Co-Founder | 2 patents 3D geo-registered mapping from imagery for autonomous navigation | — |
| 24 | Sunflower Labs Provider of AI-driven home security solutions using smart lighting and drones 62Funding top 31%Innovation top 35%Growth top 35%Patents top 36% All 11 signals ▾Fundingtop 31% Innovationtop 35% Growthtop 35% Patentstop 36% Moattop 37% Talenttop 38% Techtop 43% Newstop 44% AItop 45% Globalbottom 39% Marketbottom 34% Funding: Raised $22.1M across 5 rounds · 5 rounds over 10 yrs (0.5/yr) Innovation: 18 patents (top 54% of patent-holders) · 5 filings since 2022 vs 3 in 2017-21 rank vs industry peers · Fliar Intelligence Index 62/100 | $22M | 7 mo ago | Series B | 30 | Chris Eheim Founder + CTO | 18 patents Autonomous multicopter drones for security surveillance, auto‑landing, and sensor‑network integration | — |
| 25 | Haven Software Platform for International Shippers | $19M | 78 mo ago | Acquired | 226 | — | 18 patents Advanced fluid handling and gas‑liquid separation technologies for industrial process equipment. | — |
| 26 | Vizion Provider of cloud-based API for marine container, and vessel tracking | $19M | 47 mo ago | Series A | 50 | Tyler Hughes Co-Founder & CTO | — | — |
| 27 | TurbineOne AI-based surveillance and reconnaissance solutions for the military | $18M | 13 mo ago | Series B | 11 | Dave Hammerschmidt Co-Founder | 15 patents Distributed mesh and ad‑hoc network synchronization, resource management, and processing pipelines | — |
| 28 | Somewear Provider of the satellite-powered system for defense | $16M | 44 mo ago | Series A | 19 | Alan Besquin Co-Founder | 6 patents Off‑grid low‑latency mesh communication systems for unmanned devices | — |
| 29 | BlueCargo Platform offering scheduling and reporting solutions for port operations | $15M | 39 mo ago | Seed | 13 | Alexandra Griffon Co-founder & CEO | — | 1 award |
| 30 | Poseidon Aerospace Developer of unmanned aircraft systems for commercial and defense applications | $11M | 7 mo ago | Seed | — | David Zagaynov Co-Founder & CEO | — | 5 job openings |
| 31 | AgroScout Provider of crop scouting solutions | $11M | 58 mo ago | Series A | 20 | Simcha Shore Founder & CEO | — | — |
| 32 | Ulysses Ecosystem Engineering Developer of autonomous underwater drones 27Talent top 38%Funding top 48%Global bottom 48%Tech bottom 45% All 5 signals ▾Talenttop 38% Fundingtop 48% Globalbottom 48% Techbottom 45% Marketbottom 31% Talent: 2 named leaders on record · 2 C-suite/founder profiles curated Funding: Raised $9.5M across 2 rounds · 2 rounds over 2 yrs (1.0/yr) rank vs industry peers · Fliar Intelligence Index 27/100 | $10M | 15 mo ago | Series A | — | Jamie Wedderburn Co-Founder | — | — |
| 33 | SkySelect Provider of an AI-powered platform for aircraft parts procurement and sourcing 50Talent top 28%Funding top 36%AI top 45%News top 46% All 8 signals ▾Talenttop 28% Fundingtop 36% AItop 45% Newstop 46% Moattop 48% Techbottom 46% Globalbottom 43% Marketbottom 38% Talent: 3 named leaders on record · 3 C-suite/founder profiles curated Funding: Raised $9.0M across 1 rounds · 1 rounds over 1 yrs (1.0/yr) rank vs industry peers · Fliar Intelligence Index 50/100 | $9M | 3 mo ago | Series A | 56 | Rain Opik Co-Founder | — | 1 job opening · 2 partnerships |
| 34 | Vantage Robotics Creates unmanned aircraft systems | $9M | 37 mo ago | Series B | 19 19 → 34 (+79%) · sector median +34% | Joe Niekerk Co-Founder & CTO | 23 patents Patents concentrated in transport & manufacturing processes | — |
| 35 | Portex Provider of web-based freight procurement management solutions | $8M | 21 mo ago | Seed | 7 | — | 10 patents Needle and vial safety devices preventing accidental needle sticks and removal. | — |
| 36 | Catalyx space Provider of autonomous space labs and reusable capsules for in-orbit services | $7M | 10 mo ago | Seed | — | Rifath Shaarook Co-Founder & CEO | — | — |
| 37 | Navier Developer of electric propulsion systems and hydrofoils for recreational boating | $7M | 36 mo ago | Series A | 14 | Sampriti Bhattacharyya Co-Founder & CEO | 15 patents AI-driven adaptive network architecture, feedback control, and energy-aware resource management | 1 award |
| 38 | Cascade Space Developer of software and a ground station network for space communications | $6M | 10 mo ago | Seed | — | Jacob Portukalian Co-Founder & CEO | — | — |
| 39 | MightyFly Offers autonomous drone vehicles providing end to end logistics services 35Patents top 39%Funding top 40%Innovation top 41%Moat top 42% All 12 signals ▾Patentstop 39% Fundingtop 40% Innovationtop 41% Moattop 42% Growthtop 45% Talentbottom 49% Newsbottom 45% Productbottom 45% Techbottom 42% Globalbottom 37% Partnersbottom 35% Marketbottom 24% Patents: 8 patents matched (strict assignee match) · 6 filings since 2022 vs 2 in 2017-21 Funding: Raised $5.1M across 3 rounds · 3 rounds over 5 yrs (0.6/yr) rank vs industry peers · Fliar Intelligence Index 35/100 | $5M | 3 mo ago | Series A | 10 10 → 14 (+40%) · sector median +34% | Manal Habib Founder & CEO | 8 patents Autonomous drone logistics with payload transport and aerial collision‑avoidance systems | — |
| 40 | Avion Developer of drones for delivery | $5M | 34 mo ago | Deadpooled | 21 | Brook A Co-Founder & CEO | — | — |
| 41 | Theseus GPS denied navigation for drones | $5M | 14 mo ago | Seed | — | Ian Laffey Co-Founder | 4 patents AI-driven spinal surgery planning and pedicle screw placement prediction systems | — |
| 42 | Reveal Tech Provider of intelligent systems for the military | $2M | 13 mo ago | Series B | 19 | — | — | 1 job opening · 2 launchs |
| 43 | Aerobotics7 Developer of technology for landmine detection and neutralization | $1M | 13 mo ago | Seed | 10 | Harshwardhansinh Zala Co-Founder & CEO | 3 patents Aerial UAV-based detection and neutralization of landmines and unexploded ordnance | — |
| 44 | Initium Aerospace Developer of orbital class launch vehicle | $528K | 6 mo ago | Seed | — | Conrad Scheibye Co-Founder | — | — |
| 45 | AxionOrbital Space Cloud-based no-code IDE offering planetary-scale data analysis and mission management for space applications | $500K | 5 mo ago | Seed | — | Atharva Peshkar Co-Founder & CTO | — | — |
| 46 | Astro Mechanica Developer of supersonic propulsion systems | $500K | 10 mo ago | Series A | — | Ian Brooke Founder & CEO | — | 1 partnership · 1 award |
| 47 | Instinct Provider of navigation solutions for lunar missions | $500K | 15 mo ago | Seed | — | Joe Papworth Co-Founder & VP of Engineering | — | 1 job opening · 1 partnership |
| 48 | Enhanced Radar A technology company developing AI-powered solutions to augment air traffic control services | $500K | 15 mo ago | Seed | — | Eric Button Co-Founder & CEO | — | — |
| 49 | Elodin Aerospace design software | $500K | 24 mo ago | Seed | — | Andrei Khvalko Co-Founder | — | — |
Top 12 Aerospace, Maritime and Defense Tech companies in San Francisco
#1
Astranis 🦄Series E · San Francisco, California · founded 2015 · 195 employees$753Mraised▾
Astranis 🦄
Series E · San Francisco, California · founded 2015 · 195 employees
Developer of satellite-based communication services. It provides users with a platform that develops small-sized, low-cost telecommunication satellites in the geostationary orbit and in a fixed location. It can provide internet connectivity as soon as the satellite is launched to rural areas and indigenous communities.
Fliar Intelligence Index™ 76how this company ranks against its industry peers
Funding
top 15%Product
top 26%Moat
top 26%Innovation
top 27%Growth
top 34%Talent
top 34%Funding: Raised $753M across 10 rounds · 10 rounds over 11 yrs (0.9/yr) · Last round Series E (May 2026)
Product: 3 distinct product lines · Company stage: Series E
Moat: Editorial + unicorn rating 9/10 · Unicorn · 9 curated direct competitors tracked
Audience (LinkedIn): 55k LinkedIn followers — 6.2% of this cohort's audience
Funding rounds
- May 2026Conventional Debt$155M
- May 2026Series E$300M
- Jul 2024Series D$200M
- Apr 2023Conventional Debt—
Founders & team
Investors
Venrock, Andreessen Horowitz, Y Combinator, Fifty Years, Refactor Capital, TriplePoint Capital
Tech stack
Cart FunctionalityGoogle AnalyticsGoogle Font ApiGoogle Hosted LibrariesJqueryOpen Graph
#2
Acquired · San Francisco, California · founded 2012 · 132 employees$246.5Mraised▾
Acquired · San Francisco, California · founded 2012 · 132 employees
Provider of space-based data, analytics, and space services using a large nanosatellite constellation in low orbit. The company collects and processes radio-frequency and atmospheric signals to deliver actionable insights for weather and climate, aviation, maritime, government, and security use cases, including RF geolocation, flight tracking, ship tracking, and greenhouse gas monitoring. It also offers space-as-a-service solutions that let customers deploy custom payloads and dedicated constellations on its platform, with end-to-end manufacturing, ground station network, and constellation management tools accessible via APIs and dashboards.
Fliar Intelligence Index™ 64how this company ranks against its industry peers
Partners
top 17%Funding
top 18%Moat
top 29%Market
top 30%Patents
top 33%Talent
top 33%Partners: 6 contract events in 12 mo · Named contractor/client in 6 deals · Marquee-customer mentions: top 13% of tracked companies
Funding: Raised $246M across 18 rounds · 18 rounds over 13 yrs (1.4/yr) · Last round Post IPO (Apr 2026)
Moat: Editorial + unicorn rating 6/10 · IP moat: 147 patents · 9 curated direct competitors tracked
Audience (LinkedIn): 68k LinkedIn followers — 7.6% of this cohort's audience
Activity (LinkedIn): 1 partnerships (incl. Diehl Defence) announced in 12 mo
Funding rounds
- Apr 2026Post IPO$70M
- Mar 2025Post IPO$40M
- Feb 2024Post IPO$10M
- Dec 2021Grant (prize money)$468K
Founders & team
Investors
Gov, Expon Capital, Luxembourg Future Fund, Scottish Enterprise, Signal Group, Grishin Robotics
Tech stack
Amazon CloudfrontAmazon Web ServicesApache Http ServerApple Icloud MailAutoptimizeBootstrap
#3
Planet 🦄Public · San Francisco, California · founded 2010 · 25 employees$483.6Mraised▾
Planet 🦄
Public · San Francisco, California · founded 2010 · 25 employees
Provider of daily satellite imagery and geospatial data analytics services. The organization offers high-frequency imagery, mosaics, on-demand tasking, and analytic feeds. It transforms imagery into insights, providing data for monitoring, change detection, and analysis. The company delivers data products and cloud-based tools, offering solutions across various industries.
Fliar Intelligence Index™ 62how this company ranks against its industry peers
Funding
top 16%Tech
top 20%Moat
top 28%Product
top 35%News
top 37%Patents
top 39%Funding: Raised $484M across 11 rounds · 11 rounds over 15 yrs (0.7/yr) · Last round Post IPO (Sep 2025)
Tech: 88 technologies across 6/8 capability areas · Cloud: Amazon Cloudfront, Amazon S3 · Devops: Envoy, Nginx
Moat: Editorial + unicorn rating 6/10 · IP moat: 93 patents · Unicorn
Audience (LinkedIn): 162k LinkedIn followers — 18.1% of this cohort's audience
Activity (LinkedIn): 3 product launches · 1 partnerships (incl. Isar Aerospace) announced in 12 mo
Funding rounds
- Sep 2025Post IPO$460M
- Jan 2021Grant (prize money)$816.9K
- Jul 2019Series D—
- Feb 2019Series D$168M
Founders & team
Investors
Europa, EDBI, O'Reilly AlphaTech Ventures, Lux Capital, Felicis Ventures, Industry Ventures
Tech stack
AddsearchAmazon CloudfrontAmazon S3Amazon Web ServicesApple Icloud MailBabel
#4
Series B · San Francisco, California · founded 2018 · 100 employees$42.7Mraised▾
Series B · San Francisco, California · founded 2018 · 100 employees
Provider of in-space refueling services and hardware for spacecraft operations. The company develops fuel shuttles that deliver fuel to spacecraft equipped with its refueling interface. Mission planning software optimizes refueling logistics. The company builds flight-proven hardware to create a commercial spacecraft refueling service.
Fliar Intelligence Index™ 62how this company ranks against its industry peers
Innovation
top 23%Patents
top 25%Moat
top 30%Growth
top 35%Funding
top 36%Market
bottom 45%Innovation: 46 patents (top 33% of patent-holders) · 35 filings since 2022 vs 11 in 2017-21 · Deep-tech classification: Tech Hardware
Patents: 46 patents matched (strict assignee match) · 35 filings since 2022 vs 11 in 2017-21 · Latest publication 2026
Moat: Editorial + unicorn rating 7/10 · IP moat: 46 patents · 5 curated direct competitors tracked
Audience (LinkedIn): 27k LinkedIn followers — 3.0% of this cohort's audience
Activity (LinkedIn): 1 product launches announced in 12 mo
Funding rounds
- Mar 2026Series B$20M
- Jul 2025Series B—
- Apr 2023Series A$28.5M
- Sep 2021Series A$10M
Investors
Techstars, 8090 Industries, Stride Capital, Industrious Ventures, Lockheed Martin, Tribe Capital
Tech stack
Apple Icloud MailCloudflareCloudflare Bot ManagementFancyboxGoogle Font ApiHsts
#5
Series B · San Francisco, California · founded 2017 · 111 employees$70Mraised▾
Series B · San Francisco, California · founded 2017 · 111 employees
Cloud-based aircraft data, reporting & price analytics solution for aircraft management companies & flight departments. It provides maintenance/scheduling system monthly statements, revenue/expense data, financial/tax reporting, online payments, invoices, budgeting tools, up-to-date aircraft calendar & more.
Fliar Intelligence Index™ 62how this company ranks against its industry peers
News
top 24%Funding
top 25%Growth
top 28%Partners
top 31%Moat
top 39%Tech
top 40%News: 6 BI events in 12 mo (of 19 tracked, 4 types) · +100% YoY · 3 high-value events (IPO/M&A/funding/contracts) in 12 mo
Funding: Raised $70.0M across 2 rounds · 2 rounds over 5 yrs (0.4/yr) · Last round Series B (Mar 2026)
Growth: 3 acquisition/expansion moves in 24 mo · Fresh capital in last 24 mo
Audience (LinkedIn): 18k LinkedIn followers
Funding rounds
- Mar 2026Series B—
- May 2024Series B—
- Feb 2023Series B$50M
- May 2021Series A$17M
Founders & team
Investors
Vista Equity Partners, Insight Partners, Tiger Global Management, I2BF Global Ventures, Soma Capital, Dragoneer Investment Group
Tech stack
Amazon CloudfrontAmazon S3Amazon SesAmazon Web ServicesApple Icloud MailAws Certificate Manager
#6
Series A · San Francisco, California · founded 2023$46.1Mraised▾
Series A · San Francisco, California · founded 2023
Developer of autonomous underwater vehicles and integrated hardware and software systems. The company builds autonomous systems for maritime operations. These systems are designed to restore ecosystems, defend infrastructure, and steward expansive domains. The company's autonomous launch, recovery, and recharge system enables remote mission execution without human intervention. The modular design allows for swapping modules and payloads for various subsea tasks.
Fliar Intelligence Index™ 45how this company ranks against its industry peers
Talent
top 28%Funding
top 45%Global
bottom 33%Talent: 4 named leaders on record · 4 C-suite/founder profiles curated
Funding: Raised $46.1M across 2 rounds · 2 rounds over 1 yrs (2.0/yr) · Last round Series A (Mar 2026)
Global: Single-market focus (United States)
Funding rounds
- Mar 2026Series A$38.1M
- 2025Seed$8M
Founders & team
Investors
Pebblebed, Andreessen Horowitz, Booz Allen Hamilton
#7
Series E · San Francisco, California · founded 2012 · 102 employees$200Mraised▾
Series E · San Francisco, California · founded 2012 · 102 employees
Provider of precise positioning solutions for automotive, mobile, and mass markets. The company delivers GNSS positioning solutions designed for autonomous applications. It offers a suite of positioning solutions that are accurate, affordable, easily integrated, reliable, and secure. The company designs and assembles products to benefit customers across the globe.
Fliar Intelligence Index™ 74how this company ranks against its industry peers
Funding
top 19%Innovation
top 20%Patents
top 22%Tech
top 24%Moat
top 26%Product
top 29%Funding: Raised $200M across 6 rounds · 6 rounds over 12 yrs (0.5/yr) · Last round Series E (Jul 2025)
Innovation: 129 patents (top 9% of patent-holders) · 97 filings since 2022 vs 31 in 2017-21 · 12 product lines
Patents: 129 patents matched (strict assignee match) · 97 filings since 2022 vs 31 in 2017-21 · Latest publication 2026
Audience (LinkedIn): 11k LinkedIn followers
Activity (LinkedIn): 1 awards announced in 12 mo
Funding rounds
- Jul 2025Series E$50M
- Oct 2022Series D$100M
- Feb 2021Series C$50M
- Jun 2017Series B$34M
Investors
First Round Capital, New Enterprise Associates, Eclipse, EPIQ, Global Brain, KDDI Open Innovation Fund
Tech stack
Amazon SesAmazon Web ServicesAtlassian StatuspageBootstrapCart FunctionalityCloudflare
#8
Series A · San Francisco, California · founded 2011 · 56 employees$9Mraised▾
Series A · San Francisco, California · founded 2011 · 56 employees
Provider of an AI-powered platform for aircraft parts procurement and sourcing. The platform offers self-service software and full-service options for procurement and order tracking. It provides sourcing and purchase order optimization for cost savings and lead-time reduction. The platform also offers full-service procurement to increase purchasing capacity. It allows supply chain visibility, improves on-time delivery, and scales procurement.
Fliar Intelligence Index™ 50how this company ranks against its industry peers
Talent
top 28%Funding
top 36%AI
top 45%News
top 46%Moat
top 48%Tech
bottom 46%Talent: 3 named leaders on record · 3 C-suite/founder profiles curated
Funding: Raised $9.0M across 1 rounds · 1 rounds over 1 yrs (1.0/yr) · Last round Series A (Mar 2026)
AI: Product described with: ai-powered
Audience (LinkedIn): 8k LinkedIn followers
Hiring (LinkedIn): 1 hiring post in 12 mo (public) · hiring: Pre-Sales & Implementation Manager
Activity (LinkedIn): 2 partnerships (incl. Armac) announced in 12 mo
Funding rounds
- Mar 2026Series A$9M
Founders & team
Investors
Verb Ventures, The Rock Creek Group, SmartCap, Bain Capital Ventures, Lux Capital, Correlation Ventures
Tech stack
Amazon SesAmazon Web ServicesCloudflareGoogle Font ApiGoogle WorkspaceGsap
#9
Series B · San Francisco, California · founded 2016 · 30 employees$22.1Mraised▾
Series B · San Francisco, California · founded 2016 · 30 employees
Provider of AI-driven home security solutions using smart lighting and drones. The smart lights are integrated into a stick form factor that also contains motion sensors to detect intruders. The stick can be stuck on the grounds of a house and when a trespasser is detected. When unusual activity is detected, the companion drone can be sent to collect video. The drone is a quadcopter that flies autonomously and records video using a combined IR and optical camera.
Fliar Intelligence Index™ 62how this company ranks against its industry peers
Funding
top 31%Innovation
top 35%Growth
top 35%Patents
top 36%Moat
top 37%Talent
top 38%Funding: Raised $22.1M across 5 rounds · 5 rounds over 10 yrs (0.5/yr) · Last round Series B (Nov 2025)
Innovation: 18 patents (top 54% of patent-holders) · 5 filings since 2022 vs 3 in 2017-21 · Deep-tech classification: Tech Hardware
Growth: Fresh capital in last 24 mo
Audience (LinkedIn): 6k LinkedIn followers
Funding rounds
- Nov 2025Series B$16M
- Dec 2023Series A$1.5M
- Jan 2022Series A$15M
- 2019Seed—
Founders & team
Investors
General Catalyst, Stanley Ventures, Gentian Investments, Drone Fund, All Turtles, Pbfs.com
Tech stack
Framer SitesGoogle MapsGoogle Tag ManagerGoogle WorkspaceHstsHttp/3
#10
Series A · San Francisco, California · founded 2016 · 27 employees$44Mraised▾
Series A · San Francisco, California · founded 2016 · 27 employees
Platform offering space-based hyperspectral imaging and analysis solutions. It offers a constellation of satellites that captures hyperspectral data over customer assets on a daily basis for enabling unparalleled rapid target monitoring services for both commercial and defence users on a global scale. It analyzes the chemical fingerprint of each target and provides multiple services to the energy sector including regulatory compliance, leak prevention, detection, and speciation monitoring services.
LinkedIn Pulse recent public activity · Jul 2026
Audience: 7k LinkedIn followers
Hiring: 1 hiring post in 12 mo (public) · hiring: Payload Operations Lead
Funding rounds
- Jun 2025Series A$3.5M
- Oct 2024Series A$8.6M
- Mar 2024Series A$4.6M
- Jan 2023Series A$10M
Founders & team
Investors
Temasek, Allied Minds, Energy Innovation Capital, 11.2 Capital, Syndicate 708, Williams
Tech stack
BootstrapJsdelivrNetlifyHsts
#11
Series D · San Francisco, California · founded 2013 · 598 employees$375Mraised▾
Series D · San Francisco, California · founded 2013 · 598 employees
Developer of an AI-powered platform for travel and transportation industries. The platform provides offer and order management, shopping cart functionality, and personalized offers. It facilitates cross-airline retailing and seamless servicing. The platform also provides revenue management, customizable reporting, and precision budgeting and forecasting for the hospitality sector.
Fliar Intelligence Index™ 50how this company ranks against its industry peers
Funding
top 17%Moat
top 41%Market
top 43%Tech
top 45%AI
top 45%Talent
bottom 49%Funding: Raised $375M across 6 rounds · 6 rounds over 5 yrs (1.2/yr) · Last round Conventional Debt (Aug 2024)
Moat: Editorial + unicorn rating 6/10 · IP moat: 3 patents · 9 curated direct competitors tracked
Market: 598 employees (top 10% of Transportation and Logistics Tech) · Top-5,000,000 web property
Funding rounds
- Aug 2024Conventional Debt$70M
- Aug 2024Series D$225M
- Sep 2021Series C$150M
- May 2020Series B$12.1M
Founders & team
Investors
Vista Equity Partners, WestCap, WndrCo, Streamlined Ventures, JetBlue Technology Ventures, Gopher Assets
Tech stack
AhrefsCdnjsCloudflareCloudflare Bot ManagementCookieyesCore-Js
#12
Series C · San Francisco, California · founded 2016 · 76 employees$156.2Mraised▾
Series C · San Francisco, California · founded 2016 · 76 employees
Provider of space mission launch services. It offers microsatellite launching services. It includes platform manufacturing and integration, standard interfaces installation, launch booking and integration, regulatory compliance and licensing, and insurance. It also provides commissioning and routine operations through its global ground station partners. Its satellite operation dashboard enables payload tasking and access to data in near-real-time.
LinkedIn Pulse recent public activity · Jul 2026
Audience: 42k LinkedIn followers — 4.6% of this cohort's audience
Activity: 1 product launches · 1 partnerships (incl. NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory) announced in 12 mo
Funding rounds
- Jan 2025Series C$170M
- Dec 2021Series B$140M
- May 2021Grant (prize money)$750K
- Nov 2019Series A$13M
Founders & team
Investors
NIH SBIR/STTR, V1.VC, Uncork Capital, MDI Ventures, Mercuria Investment, RESTEC
Tech stack
Apple Icloud MailCloudflareCloudflare Bot ManagementCookieyesCore-JsDocusign
Funding & investor landscape
$4.4Btotal disclosed funding
68companies funded
218disclosed rounds
3rounds last 90 days
Most active investors
Y Combinator19 rounds
Notable founders
Ryan McLinko
Co-Founder · Astranis
John Gedmark
Co-Founder & CEO · Astranis
Peter Platzer
Founder & CEO · Spire
Jeroen Cappaert
Co-Founder & CTO · Spire
Robbie Schingler
Co-Founder and Chief Strategy Officer · Planet
Alek Strygin
Co-Founder · Portside
Will Brien
Co-Founder & President · Ulysses
Colm Brien
Co-Founder & COO · Ulysses
Rain Opik
Co-Founder · SkySelect
Soufiane Houri
Co-Founder · SkySelect
Chris Eheim
Founder + CTO · Sunflower Labs
Alex Pachikov
Co-Founder & CEO · Sunflower Labs
Prism market signals · United States · country-scoped Prism corpus, 1,706,034 docs
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
RESEARCH SIGNALS · United States
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.
research sentiment over time
200820172026
enthusiastic · positive · guarded tone
Tone is overwhelmingly optimistic and intensifying — the enthusiastic (strongly-positive) share moved 40% → 45% across 2008–2026.
top research entities
- Marshall Space Flight Center339
- Langley Research Center111
- Jacobs77
- Purdue University West Lafayette61
- Ames Research Center61
leading researchers
Kimberly F. Robinson · Stephen D. Heister · Jeremy Pinier · Stephen D. Creech · Paul Gradl · William A. Hargus · Matthew E. Harvazinski · Bruce R. Askins
▲
Breakthroughs158 · 10%
▲ 9%→12% share
▲1.3× share momentum0 median citations34% since 2021mostly methods-led
Combustor breakthrough research quadrupled (1→4), signaling rapid propulsion-core discoveries in U.S. launch vehicle programs.
rising sub-themes (early→recent)
- Detonation1→8
- Trajectory2→6
- Rocket (weapon)16→20
- Combustor1→4
- Propellant13→14
Landmark Entry Guidance: A Unified Method · 380 cites
◆
Advancements612 · 40%
▲ 37%→47% share
▲1.3× share momentum1 median citations33% since 2021mostly methods-led
Detonation advancement papers surged fourfold (10→40), dominating propulsion research growth as field-share rose to 47%.
rising sub-themes (early→recent)
- Detonation10→40
- Propulsion26→34
- Liquid-propellant rocket20→28
- Combustor10→15
- Combustion11→16
Newly emergingHeat flux 0→5
Landmark Highly Constrained Optimal Launch Ascent Guidance · 78 cites
▼
Concerns228 · 15%
15%→15% share
▲1.0× share momentum1 median citations28% since 2021mostly empirical
Detonation concern papers quintupled (2→11), flagging intensifying safety and stability risks alongside its research boom.
rising sub-themes (early→recent)
- Detonation2→11
- Rocket (weapon)20→21
- Rocket engine12→13
Landmark Limits on the Space Launch Market Related to Stratospheric Ozone Depletion · 80 cites
RESEARCH HOTSPOTS · United States
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.
Los Angeles32 · +0.16
Atlanta27 · +0.31
Boston20 · +0.46
SF Bay Area16 · +0.44
Ann Arbor13 · +0.37
Seattle11 · +0.33
Austin7 · +0.06
San Diego6 · +0.55
PATENT SIGNAL · United States
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.
333 filings249 assigneespeak 51/yr2016–2025
filing momentum (YoY 2016–2025)
top patent filers
- Boeing47
- BLUE Origin44
- United Technologies33
- Venus Aerospace25
- 8 Rivers Capital19
- Aerojet Rocketdyne15
- Aerojet General13
- Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne13
Common questions
How many Aerospace, Maritime and Defense Tech companies are there in San Francisco, United States?
Radar tracks 130 indexable Aerospace, Maritime and Defense Tech companies headquartered in San Francisco, United States that meet our profile-completeness bar.
What is the total funding raised by Aerospace, Maritime and Defense Tech companies in San Francisco, United States?
The Aerospace, Maritime and Defense Tech companies in San Francisco, United States on this list have raised a combined $4.4B in disclosed equity funding across 68 funded companies.
Which is the highest-funded Aerospace, Maritime and Defense Tech company in San Francisco, United States?
Zipline is the highest-funded Aerospace, Maritime and Defense Tech company in San Francisco, United States, with $900M in disclosed equity funding.
How many Aerospace, Maritime and Defense Tech companies in San Francisco, United States are funded?
68 of the 130 Aerospace, Maritime and Defense Tech companies in San Francisco, United States on this list have disclosed at least one equity funding round.
How many Aerospace, Maritime and Defense Tech unicorns are there in San Francisco, United States?
4 Aerospace, Maritime and Defense Tech companies in San Francisco, United States on this list are valued at $1B or more.
Who are the top investors in San Francisco, United States Aerospace, Maritime and Defense Tech companies?
The most active investors in San Francisco, United States Aerospace, Maritime and Defense Tech companies on this list include Y Combinator, Soma Capital, Felicis Ventures, Andreessen Horowitz, First Round Capital.
Rohit KhannaTrends & Stories
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.