Radar · Aerospace, Maritime and Defense Tech in United States
Best Aerospace, Maritime and Defense Tech Companies in United States
The 3080 best Aerospace, Maritime and Defense Tech companies in United States in 2026, ranked by funding and momentum. Funding, investors, founders, valuation, tech stack and live signals. Top: SpaceX.
By Riya SenguptaFinancials
3080companies tracked
$56.6Bdisclosed funding
29unicorns
933have raised
Ranked by disclosed equity funding and recent momentum, this directory captures the best Aerospace, Maritime and Defense Tech companies in the United States across 3,080 tracked players and $56.6 billion in total disclosed funding. That's not projected market size. That's capital already committed. Twenty-nine unicorns sit inside that pool, and the concentration at the top is striking: SpaceX alone accounts for $11.9 billion, Anduril has pulled $3.8 billion, and Sierra Space follows at $1.7 billion. So when you're sizing up this sector, you're looking at a funding distribution where the top handful of names carry genuinely outsized weight.
What I find telling is the activity underneath those giants. Median app install growth across 68 maritime, defense, and aerospace apps is running at roughly plus-15% year over year, which signals real end-user adoption, not just boardroom enthusiasm. Hot themes right now include combat drones, missile warning systems, and drone electronic warfare, with military innovation labs drawing serious attention from investors like Y Combinator, NASA, and the National Science Foundation. Shield AI at $930 million and Skydio at $570 million reflect exactly where that institutional money is flowing. The sector's building something durable.
Sources & further reading
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- Raytheon wins $352 million in new defense contracts
FLIAR INTELLIGENCE · AEROSPACE, MARITIME AND DEFENSE TECH × UNITED STATES
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
6.8Mcombined LinkedIn audience
60%of audience held by top 3
9companies hiring publicly (12 mo)
Ranked: Best Aerospace, Maritime and Defense Tech companies in United States
| # | Company | Disclosed funding | Last round | Employees | Founder | Tech stack | Market signals (1y) | Patents & IP focus | Recent signals |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | SpaceX 🦄 Provider of advanced aerospace and space transportation services 87Funding top 11%Partners top 13%News top 16%Market top 18% All 11 signals ▾Fundingtop 11% Partnerstop 13% Newstop 16% Markettop 18% Moattop 20% Growthtop 30% Techtop 30% Talenttop 35% Producttop 38% Innovationtop 46% Globaltop 48% Funding: Raised $11.9B across 27 rounds · 27 rounds over 24 yrs (1.1/yr) Partners: 5 partnership announcements in 12 mo (7 in 24 mo) · 34 contract events in 12 mo rank vs industry peers · Fliar Intelligence Index 87/100 | $11.9B | 3 mo ago | 13,612 13,612 → 20,010 (+47%) · sector median +24% | Elon Musk Co-Founder & CEO | Cart FunctionalityShopifyApple iCloud Mail+25 | 125 signals ▲102% Contracts · M&A · IPO | — | — |
| 2 | Anduril 🦄 Provider of AI-driven defense and autonomous systems across air, land, sea, and space domains 96Funding top 11%Innovation top 14%Patents top 14%Tech top 17% All 13 signals ▾Fundingtop 11% Innovationtop 14% Patentstop 14% Techtop 17% Markettop 21% Moattop 22% Growthtop 25% Partnerstop 26% AItop 30% Newstop 33% Producttop 38% Talenttop 41% Globaltop 47% Funding: Raised $3.8B across 8 rounds · 8 rounds over 7 yrs (1.1/yr) Innovation: 329 patents (top 5% of patent-holders) · 300 filings since 2022 vs 29 in 2017-21 rank vs industry peers · Fliar Intelligence Index 96/100 | $3.8B | 1 mo ago | 2,193 | Matt Grimm Co-Founder & COO | MediumTypeScriptGraphQL+17 | 25 signals ▼19% Contracts · Hiring · Funding | 329 patents Patents concentrated in transport & manufacturing processes | — |
| 3 | Sierra Space 🦄 Developer of space systems, components, spacecraft, propulsion, and related technologies 74Funding top 12%Patents top 18%Moat top 25%News top 32% All 10 signals ▾Fundingtop 12% Patentstop 18% Moattop 25% Newstop 32% Innovationtop 34% Markettop 35% Techtop 41% Growthtop 42% Producttop 45% Globalbottom 40% Funding: Raised $1.7B across 7 rounds · 7 rounds over 5 yrs (1.4/yr) Patents: 84 patents matched (strict assignee match) · 82 filings since 2022 vs 2 in 2017-21 rank vs industry peers · Fliar Intelligence Index 74/100 | $1.7B | 3 mo ago | 1,023 1,023 → 1,336 (+31%) · sector median +24% | — | WordPressMySQLPHP+37 | 6 signals Funding · Capital raise | 84 patents Space habitat hardware, in-space manufacturing, propulsion, solar power, and microgravity life-support systems | 1 internship |
| 4 | Archer 🦄 Developer of electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft for commercial use 67Funding top 18%Partners top 21%Growth top 24%Tech top 25% All 12 signals ▾Fundingtop 18% Partnerstop 21% Growthtop 24% Techtop 25% Innovationtop 28% Moattop 31% Producttop 32% Newstop 34% Markettop 47% Globalbottom 46% Talentbottom 40% Fin. healthbottom 26% Funding: Raised $1.5B across 5 rounds · 5 rounds over 3 yrs (1.7/yr) Partners: 3 partnership announcements in 12 mo (6 in 24 mo) · 15 contract events in 12 mo rank vs industry peers · Fliar Intelligence Index 67/100 | $1.5B | 6 mo ago | 424 | Brett Adcock Co-Founder | PrismicApple iCloud MailNode.js+19 | 69 signals ▼20% Announcements · Contracts · Earnings | — | 1 job opening |
| 5 | Relativity Space 🦄 Provider of AI-powered 3D printed launch vehicles for small payloads 90Patents top 17%Funding top 20%Growth top 21%Innovation top 22% All 11 signals ▾Patentstop 17% Fundingtop 20% Growthtop 21% Innovationtop 22% Moattop 22% Talenttop 35% Markettop 36% Techtop 36% AItop 45% Globalbottom 42% Newsbottom 23% Patents: 124 patents matched (strict assignee match) · 107 filings since 2022 vs 17 in 2017-21 Funding: Raised $1.3B across 7 rounds · 7 rounds over 10 yrs (0.7/yr) rank vs industry peers · Fliar Intelligence Index 90/100 | $1.3B | 17 mo ago | 631 | Tim Ellis Co-Founder | Squarespace CommerceSquarespaceApple iCloud Mail+24 | — | 124 patents Advanced metal additive manufacturing, process control, and large‑scale component assembly | 1 job opening · 1 launch · 1 expansion |
| 6 | BETA 🦄 Manufacturer of electric aircraft, charging systems, and customized training programs 60Funding top 19%Product top 28%Moat top 28%Growth top 32% All 10 signals ▾Fundingtop 19% Producttop 28% Moattop 28% Growthtop 32% Techtop 37% Markettop 48% Fin. healthtop 49% Globalbottom 46% Patentsbottom 45% Innovationbottom 44% Funding: Raised $1.2B across 8 rounds · 8 rounds over 5 yrs (1.6/yr) Product: 1 published app (1.8k installs) · Company stage: Public rank vs industry peers · Fliar Intelligence Index 60/100 | $1.2B | 7 mo ago | 535 535 → 1,279 (+139%) · sector median +24% | — | HubSpot CMS HubApple iCloud MailMicrosoft 365+28 | — | 19 patents Optical eyewear components and mechanical feed mechanisms for imaging and dental devices | 2 partnerships |
| 7 | CHAOS Industries 🦄 Manufacturer of advanced sensing, detection, and effects technologies for defense 76Funding top 14%AI top 15%Growth top 28%Talent top 28% All 10 signals ▾Fundingtop 14% AItop 15% Growthtop 28% Talenttop 28% Moattop 37% Patentstop 46% Innovationtop 49% Markettop 50% Techbottom 49% Globalbottom 46% Funding: Raised $1.0B across 4 rounds · 4 rounds over 3 yrs (1.3/yr) AI: Holds AI/ML patents (G06N-family CPC) rank vs industry peers · Fliar Intelligence Index 76/100 | $1.0B | 7 mo ago | 33 | Gavin Hood Co-Founder | Webflow EcommerceWebflowApple iCloud Mail+16 | — | 3 patents Patents concentrated in electrical & electronics | 1 partnership · 1 award |
| 8 | Shield AI 🦄 Developer of AI-powered platforms and software for defense applications 93Funding top 9%Product top 18%Talent top 22%Moat top 26% All 12 signals ▾Fundingtop 9% Producttop 18% Talenttop 22% Moattop 26% Markettop 28% Growthtop 29% AItop 30% Innovationtop 32% Techtop 33% Newstop 36% Partnerstop 43% Globaltop 48% Funding: Raised $930M across 16 rounds · 16 rounds over 11 yrs (1.5/yr) Product: 4 distinct product lines · Company stage: Series G rank vs industry peers · Fliar Intelligence Index 93/100 | $930M | 2 mo ago | 364 | Brandon Tseng Co-Founder | WordPressApple iCloud MailMySQL+24 | 21 signals Capital raise · Funding · Contracts | — | 1 partnership |
| 9 | 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 | 195 | Ryan McLinko Co-Founder | WebflowApple iCloud MailGoogle Workspace+17 | — | — | — |
| 10 | Joby Aviation Manufacturer of electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft 69Partners top 15%Product top 18%Funding top 25%Growth top 26% All 13 signals ▾Partnerstop 15% Producttop 18% Fundingtop 25% Growthtop 26% Moattop 32% Techtop 33% Newstop 33% Markettop 37% Fin. healthtop 46% Globaltop 47% Talentbottom 49% Innovationbottom 46% Patentsbottom 39% Partners: 5 partnership announcements in 12 mo (7 in 24 mo) · 15 contract events in 12 mo Product: 1 product launch event in 12 mo, 1 the year before · Company stage: Public rank vs industry peers · Fliar Intelligence Index 69/100 | $690M | 12 mo ago | 1,777 1,777 → 2,088 (+18%) · sector median +24% | Joeben Bevirt Founder & CEO | Apache HTTP ServerCloudflareKlaro+13 | 121 signals Announcements · Contracts · M&A | 23 patents Electric VTOL aircraft with pivoting/stowing rotors that mimic rigid-wing aerodynamics | 2 partnerships · 1 expansion |
| 11 | Skydio 🦄 Manufacturer of autonomous drones and related software, services, and accessories 94Patents top 13%Funding top 14%Tech top 16%AI top 20% All 13 signals ▾Patentstop 13% Fundingtop 14% Techtop 16% AItop 20% Moattop 22% Innovationtop 24% Talenttop 28% Markettop 30% Growthtop 30% Newstop 31% Producttop 38% Customerstop 49% Globalbottom 48% Patents: 614 patents matched (strict assignee match) · 513 filings since 2022 vs 98 in 2017-21 Funding: Raised $570M across 7 rounds · 7 rounds over 11 yrs (0.6/yr) rank vs industry peers · Fliar Intelligence Index 94/100 | $570M | 1 mo ago | 332 | Abraham Bachrach Co-Founder & CTO | Cart FunctionalityShopifySentry+49 | 6 signals ▲20% Hiring · Funding | 614 patents Autonomous drone navigation, perception, control, and adaptive communication for aerial robotics. | 2 job openings |
| 12 | Vast Developer of commercial space stations designed for long-term space habitation 64Funding top 18%Growth top 35%Talent top 38%Tech top 45% All 7 signals ▾Fundingtop 18% Growthtop 35% Talenttop 38% Techtop 45% Moattop 48% Markettop 49% Globalbottom 39% Funding: Raised $500M across 2 rounds · 2 rounds over 1 yrs (2.0/yr) Growth: Fresh capital in last 24 mo rank vs industry peers · Fliar Intelligence Index 64/100 | $500M | 3 mo ago | 192 | Jed McCaleb Founder | WebflowApple iCloud MailGoogle Workspace+15 | — | — | 1 launch · 1 partnership |
| 13 | 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 | 25 | Robbie Schingler Co-Founder and Chief Strategy Officer | SanityApple iCloud MailGoogle Workspace+38 | 16 signals ▲45% Earnings · Acquisition | 93 patents Satellite remote sensing: SAR imaging, HDR optics, antenna design, deployment mechanisms, RF interference mitigation | 3 launchs · 1 partnership |
| 14 | Axiom Space 🦄 Developer of commercial space stations for habitation 74Funding top 20%Product top 21%Tech top 23%Innovation top 25% All 10 signals ▾Fundingtop 20% Producttop 21% Techtop 23% Innovationtop 25% Moattop 26% Newstop 27% Talenttop 28% Growthtop 30% Globalbottom 45% Marketbottom 35% Funding: Raised $480M across 3 rounds · 3 rounds over 8 yrs (0.4/yr) Product: 9 distinct product lines · Company stage: Series D rank vs industry peers · Fliar Intelligence Index 74/100 | $480M | 4 mo ago | 2 | Kam Ghaffarian Co-Founder | MagentoApple iCloud MailTypeScript+17 | 7 signals ▲75% Funding | — | 1 partnership |
| 15 | HawkEye 360 Developer of satellite-based geographic monitoring and communication solutions 67Funding top 9%News top 18%Talent top 25%Moat top 28% All 11 signals ▾Fundingtop 9% Newstop 18% Talenttop 25% Moattop 28% Growthtop 30% Patentstop 31% Innovationtop 36% Producttop 39% Techtop 41% Globalbottom 39% Marketbottom 33% Funding: Raised $387M across 13 rounds · 13 rounds over 10 yrs (1.3/yr) News: 17 BI events in 12 mo (of 71 tracked, 8 types) · +55% YoY rank vs industry peers · Fliar Intelligence Index 67/100 | $387M | 3 mo ago | 21 | Robert Mcgwier Founder and Technical Adviser | WordPressMySQLPHP+27 | 17 signals ▲55% Leadership · Funding · IPO | 74 patents RF signal geolocation and emitter identification for spectrum monitoring | — |
| 16 | Firefly Aerospace 🦄 Provider of small and medium satellite launch vehicles, lunar landers, and orbital vehicles 72Product top 19%News top 21%Funding top 25%Moat top 28% All 12 signals ▾Producttop 19% Newstop 21% Fundingtop 25% Moattop 28% Growthtop 31% Markettop 32% Innovationtop 39% Techtop 42% Fin. healthtop 47% Patentstop 48% Talentbottom 49% Globalbottom 37% Product: 3 distinct product lines · Company stage: Public News: 53 BI events in 12 mo (of 98 tracked, 12 types) · +562% YoY rank vs industry peers · Fliar Intelligence Index 72/100 | $363M | 12 mo ago | 384 | Jason Kim CEO | DrupalApple iCloud MailPHP+27 | 53 signals ▲562% IPO · Earnings · Lawsuit | 8 patents Liquid rocket engine cooling, power tap-off, and propellant injection technologies | 1 launch · 1 partnership · 1 award |
| 17 | ZeroAvia Manufacturer of hydrogen electric propulsion systems for commercial aviation aircraft 64Funding top 18%Patents top 19%Moat top 26%Innovation top 28% All 11 signals ▾Fundingtop 18% Patentstop 19% Moattop 26% Innovationtop 28% Techtop 34% Partnerstop 45% Talenttop 45% Globalbottom 49% Growthbottom 47% Marketbottom 46% Newsbottom 40% Funding: Raised $348M across 12 rounds · 12 rounds over 7 yrs (1.7/yr) Patents: 122 patents matched (strict assignee match) · 118 filings since 2022 vs 4 in 2017-21 rank vs industry peers · Fliar Intelligence Index 64/100 | $348M | 5 mo ago | 200 | Val Miftakhov Founder & CEO | WordPressApple iCloud MailMicrosoft 365+33 | 3 signals ▼88% Announcements · Layoffs · Funding | 122 patents Hydrogen fuel‑cell power and cooling integration for aircraft propulsion and airship systems | — |
| 18 | Eve Manufacturer of E-VTOLs and drones 57Funding top 15%Partners top 25%Growth top 34%News top 35% All 11 signals ▾Fundingtop 15% Partnerstop 25% Growthtop 34% Newstop 35% Producttop 35% Markettop 44% Moattop 48% Talentbottom 49% Innovationbottom 46% Globalbottom 46% Techbottom 43% Funding: Raised $339M across 3 rounds · 3 rounds over 4 yrs (0.8/yr) Partners: 0 partnership announcements in 12 mo (1 in 24 mo) · 11 contract events in 12 mo rank vs industry peers · Fliar Intelligence Index 57/100 | $339M | 10 mo ago | 180 180 → 213 (+18%) · sector median +24% | Andre Stein CEO | WordPressDrupalMySQL+16 | 18 signals Contracts · Funding · M&A | — | 1 award |
| 19 | Ursa Major Provider of turnkey propulsion solutions for a wide range of vehicles 62Funding top 19%Growth top 26%Moat top 31%Tech top 33% All 9 signals ▾Fundingtop 19% Growthtop 26% Moattop 31% Techtop 33% Talenttop 38% Marketbottom 49% Innovationbottom 40% Globalbottom 37% Patentsbottom 28% Funding: Raised $323M across 9 rounds · 9 rounds over 5 yrs (1.8/yr) Growth: Headcount 72 → 137 (+90%) across vintages · Fresh capital in last 24 mo rank vs industry peers · Fliar Intelligence Index 62/100 | $323M | 6 mo ago | 137 | Bill Murray Co-Founder & CPO | ContentfulApple iCloud MailNode.js+17 | — | 6 patents Innovative slot machine reel mechanisms and game designs for casino gaming hardware. | — |
| 20 | Epirus 🦄 Developer of high-power microwave systems for electronic warfare and air defense 78Patents top 17%Innovation top 22%Funding top 22%Moat top 22% All 11 signals ▾Patentstop 17% Innovationtop 22% Fundingtop 22% Moattop 22% Talenttop 28% Markettop 41% Techtop 45% AItop 45% Growthtop 50% Globalbottom 40% Newsbottom 24% Patents: 122 patents matched (strict assignee match) · 110 filings since 2022 vs 12 in 2017-21 Innovation: 122 patents (top 16% of patent-holders) · 110 filings since 2022 vs 12 in 2017-21 rank vs industry peers · Fliar Intelligence Index 78/100 | $289M | 8 mo ago | 218 | Nathan M Co-Founder | WebflowGSAPReact+20 | — | 122 patents Patents concentrated in electrical & electronics | 1 partnership |
| 21 | Boom Supersonic 🦄 Manufacturer of supersonic passenger airplanes 67Funding top 25%News top 25%Moat top 26%Partners top 28% All 9 signals ▾Fundingtop 25% Newstop 25% Moattop 26% Partnerstop 28% Techtop 29% Markettop 39% Growthtop 43% Talentbottom 49% Globalbottom 39% Funding: Raised $270M across 9 rounds · 9 rounds over 11 yrs (0.8/yr) News: 12 BI events in 12 mo (of 123 tracked, 8 types) · +500% YoY rank vs industry peers · Fliar Intelligence Index 67/100 | $270M | 6 mo ago | 134 | Blake Scholl Co-Founder & CEO | WordPress Site EditorWordPressApple iCloud Mail+36 | 12 signals ▲500% Contracts · Funding · Capital raise | — | 1 launch |
| 22 | 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 | 132 | Peter Platzer Founder & CEO | WordPressApple iCloud MailMySQL+25 | 31 signals ▼48% Earnings · Contracts · Leadership | 147 patents Wearable physiological monitoring devices and low-cost satellite communication systems | 1 partnership |
| 23 | Hermeus 🦄 Manufacturer of supersonic aircraft 74News top 18%Funding top 23%Growth top 25%Talent top 30% All 8 signals ▾Newstop 18% Fundingtop 23% Growthtop 25% Talenttop 30% Techtop 39% Markettop 44% Moattop 47% Globalbottom 37% News: 12 BI events in 12 mo (of 23 tracked, 4 types) · 4 high-value events (IPO/M&A/funding/contracts) in 12 mo Funding: Raised $239M across 6 rounds · 6 rounds over 7 yrs (0.9/yr) rank vs industry peers · Fliar Intelligence Index 74/100 | $239M | 2 mo ago | 139 | Skyler Shuford Co-Founder & COO | Cart FunctionalitySquarespace CommerceSquarespace+25 | 12 signals Capital raise · Funding · Leadership | — | 1 expansion · 1 award |
| 24 | Saronic 🦄 Developer of autonomous surface vessels for naval and maritime forces 78Funding top 18%AI top 20%Moat top 26%Growth top 30% All 9 signals ▾Fundingtop 18% AItop 20% Moattop 26% Growthtop 30% Talenttop 33% Newstop 34% Techtop 47% Marketbottom 48% Globalbottom 44% Funding: Raised $230M across 4 rounds · 4 rounds over 3 yrs (1.3/yr) AI: Classified as an AI company rank vs industry peers · Fliar Intelligence Index 78/100 | $230M | 2 mo ago | 32 | Doug Lambert Co-Founder & COO | Apple iCloud MailNode.jsSalesforce+15 | 11 signals ▲83% Hiring · Announcements · Capital raise | — | 2 launchs |
| 25 | Intuitive Machines Developer of systems and solutions for space services 74Product top 14%Funding top 28%Tech top 29%Innovation top 32% All 10 signals ▾Producttop 14% Fundingtop 28% Techtop 29% Innovationtop 32% Markettop 35% Talenttop 38% Growthtop 39% Newstop 45% Fin. healthtop 49% Globalbottom 32% Product: 8 distinct product lines · Company stage: Public Funding: Raised $195M across 3 rounds · 3 rounds over 3 yrs (1.0/yr) rank vs industry peers · Fliar Intelligence Index 74/100 | $195M | 3 mo ago | 382 382 → 644 (+69%) · sector median +24% | Kam Ghaffarian Co-Founder & Chairman | DrupalPHPVimeo+25 | 12 signals ▼43% Earnings · M&A · Funding | — | 1 internship · 1 launch · 1 award |
| 26 | Stoke 🦄 Manufacturer of reusable launch vehicles 67Growth top 18%Funding top 22%News top 23%Moat top 28% All 10 signals ▾Growthtop 18% Fundingtop 22% Newstop 23% Moattop 28% Innovationtop 40% Techtop 47% Patentstop 47% Globalbottom 49% Talentbottom 49% Marketbottom 46% Growth: Headcount 5 → 30 (+500%) across vintages · Fresh capital in last 24 mo Funding: Raised $175M across 8 rounds · 8 rounds over 5 yrs (1.6/yr) rank vs industry peers · Fliar Intelligence Index 67/100 | $175M | 4 mo ago | 30 | Andy Lapsa Co-Founder & CEO | WordPress Block EditorElementorWordPress+21 | 9 signals ▲125% Funding · Capital raise | 23 patents Patents concentrated in electrical & electronics | 1 job opening · 1 expansion |
| 27 | CesiumAstro Developer of communication systems for space, air, and ground missions 60Funding top 26%News top 29%Partners top 32%Growth top 35% All 11 signals ▾Fundingtop 26% Newstop 29% Partnerstop 32% Growthtop 35% Innovationtop 37% Moattop 37% Patentstop 40% Marketbottom 49% Talentbottom 49% Techbottom 44% Globalbottom 44% Funding: Raised $154M across 8 rounds · 8 rounds over 9 yrs (0.9/yr) News: 13 BI events in 12 mo (of 21 tracked, 3 types) · 11 high-value events (IPO/M&A/funding/contracts) in 12 mo rank vs industry peers · Fliar Intelligence Index 60/100 | $154M | 4 mo ago | 141 | Shey Sabripour Founder & CEO | WebflowApple iCloud MailTypekit+16 | 13 signals Funding · Capital raise · M&A | 12 patents Patents concentrated in electrical & electronics | 1 internship · 4 awards |
| 28 | Arc Boats Manufacturer of electric ships 53Funding top 27%Growth top 35%Tech top 36%Moat top 39% All 9 signals ▾Fundingtop 27% Growthtop 35% Techtop 36% Moattop 39% Producttop 40% Newstop 45% Talentbottom 49% Marketbottom 38% Globalbottom 32% Funding: Raised $137M across 3 rounds · 3 rounds over 5 yrs (0.6/yr) Growth: Fresh capital in last 24 mo rank vs industry peers · Fliar Intelligence Index 53/100 | $137M | 3 mo ago | 55 | Mitch Lee Co-Founder & CEO | SanityNode.jsTailwind CSS+24 | — | — | 2 job openings · 1 internship · 1 launch |
| 29 | Reliable Robotics Provider of automatic flight control systems 64Innovation top 23%Growth top 26%Patents top 27%Moat top 28% All 10 signals ▾Innovationtop 23% Growthtop 26% Patentstop 27% Moattop 28% Fundingtop 29% Talenttop 38% Newstop 43% Marketbottom 42% Techbottom 36% Globalbottom 33% Innovation: 47 patents (top 32% of patent-holders) · 36 filings since 2022 vs 11 in 2017-21 Growth: Headcount 45 → 72 (+60%) across vintages · Fresh capital in last 24 mo rank vs industry peers · Fliar Intelligence Index 64/100 | $134M | 1 mo ago | 72 | Juerg Frefel Co-founder & CTO | SanityApple iCloud MailGoogle Workspace+10 | — | 47 patents Autonomous UAV navigation, precision landing, and radar‑based sensing/control systems | — |
| 30 | LanzaJet Provider of carbon recycling services 48News top 23%Partners top 29%Growth top 32%Funding top 37% All 11 signals ▾Newstop 23% Partnerstop 29% Growthtop 32% Fundingtop 37% Talenttop 38% Techtop 50% Marketbottom 47% Moatbottom 44% Globalbottom 39% Patentsbottom 36% Innovationbottom 19% News: 18 BI events in 12 mo (of 70 tracked, 8 types) · +157% YoY Partners: 0 partnership announcements in 12 mo (1 in 24 mo) · 5 contract events in 12 mo rank vs industry peers · Fliar Intelligence Index 48/100 | $130M | 3 mo ago | 65 | Mike Patrick CEO of Sembcorp Energy UK | Craft CMSPHPYii+17 | 18 signals ▲157% Funding · Contracts · Capital raise | 2 patents Bio-olefin production via coprocessing renewable feedstocks | 3 awards |
| 31 | Helm Developer of AI-first software for advanced driver-assistance systems and autonomous driving 78Funding top 19%Product top 21%Talent top 28%AI top 30% All 10 signals ▾Fundingtop 19% Producttop 21% Talenttop 28% AItop 30% Growthtop 31% Moattop 31% Innovationtop 32% Techtop 38% Marketbottom 41% Globalbottom 37% Funding: Raised $124M across 4 rounds · 4 rounds over 6 yrs (0.7/yr) Product: 9 distinct product lines · Company stage: Series D rank vs industry peers · Fliar Intelligence Index 78/100 | $124M | 1 mo ago | 37 | — | WebflowBugHerdBugSnag+21 | — | — | — |
| 32 | True Anomaly 🦄 Developer of materials and products for space solutions 62News top 22%Funding top 25%Growth top 30%Talent top 38% All 10 signals ▾Newstop 22% Fundingtop 25% Growthtop 30% Talenttop 38% Innovationtop 40% Patentstop 42% Moattop 43% Markettop 50% Techbottom 44% Globalbottom 37% News: 6 BI events in 12 mo (of 17 tracked, 5 types) · +100% YoY Funding: Raised $117M across 5 rounds · 5 rounds over 4 yrs (1.2/yr) rank vs industry peers · Fliar Intelligence Index 62/100 | $117M | 1 mo ago | 51 | Kyle Zakrzewski Co-Founder | WebflowApple iCloud MailVimeo+14 | 6 signals ▲100% Funding · Capital raise | 9 patents Modular spacecraft bus design and onboard maneuver simulation/control systems | 1 job opening · 1 launch · 1 partnership |
| 33 | Scout AI AI-powered robotic systems for defense and related applications 53Funding top 19%AI top 25%Growth top 35%Moat top 48% All 10 signals ▾Fundingtop 19% AItop 25% Growthtop 35% Moattop 48% Techbottom 49% Talentbottom 49% Globalbottom 44% Innovationbottom 38% Patentsbottom 37% Marketbottom 35% Funding: Raised $115M across 2 rounds · 2 rounds over 1 yrs (2.0/yr) AI: Classified as an AI company · Holds AI/ML patents (G06N-family CPC) rank vs industry peers · Fliar Intelligence Index 53/100 | $115M | 1 mo ago | — | Collin Otis Co-Founder & CTO | SanityNode.jsThree.js+13 | — | 3 patents Advanced hyperspectral imaging sensors and adjustable hitch mechanisms for vehicles | — |
| 34 | Heven Technologies Developer of hydrogen-powered unmanned aerial systems 8Funding top 46%Talent bottom 49%Market bottom 25%Global bottom 25% All 5 signals ▾Fundingtop 46% Talentbottom 49% Marketbottom 25% Globalbottom 25% Techbottom 15% Funding: Raised $100M 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 8/100 | $100M | 6 mo ago | — | Bentzion Levinson Founder & CEO | Microsoft 365GoDaddy | — | — | 1 partnership · 1 award |
| 35 | X-Bow Systems Manufacturer of solid rocket motors and provider of flight services 50Talent top 28%Funding top 31%Moat top 39%Growth top 46% All 8 signals ▾Talenttop 28% Fundingtop 31% Moattop 39% Growthtop 46% Marketbottom 45% Techbottom 45% Globalbottom 32% Newsbottom 21% Talent: 3 named leaders on record · 3 C-suite/founder profiles curated Funding: Raised $97.0M across 5 rounds · 5 rounds over 4 yrs (1.2/yr) rank vs industry peers · Fliar Intelligence Index 50/100 | $97M | 7 mo ago | 78 | Maureen Gannon Co-Founder & CRO | WordPressMySQLPHP+19 | — | — | 1 job opening · 1 launch |
| 36 | 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 | 111 | Alek Strygin Co-Founder | Apple iCloud MailGoogle WorkspacePython+20 | 6 signals ▲100% Leadership · Contracts | — | — |
| 37 | Fortem Technologies Developer of airspace security and defense solutions for drone threats 62Innovation top 23%Product top 30%Moat top 31%Funding top 35% All 10 signals ▾Innovationtop 23% Producttop 30% Moattop 31% Fundingtop 35% Growthtop 42% Talenttop 42% Newsbottom 49% Marketbottom 48% Techbottom 47% Globalbottom 45% Innovation: 5 product lines · Deep-tech classification: Tech Hardware Product: 5 distinct product lines · Company stage: Series B rank vs industry peers · Fliar Intelligence Index 62/100 | $69M | 1 mo ago | 119 119 → 137 (+15%) · sector median +24% | Adam Robertson Co-Founder and CTO | JekyllRubyVimeo+19 | 3 signals Leadership · Funding | — | — |
| 38 | Xona Space Systems Developer of positioning, navigation, and timing infrastructure for connected systems 57Funding top 23%Talent top 23%Growth top 26%Moat top 39% All 8 signals ▾Fundingtop 23% Talenttop 23% Growthtop 26% Moattop 39% Techbottom 44% Globalbottom 39% Marketbottom 34% Newsbottom 18% Funding: Raised $55.0M across 8 rounds · 8 rounds over 6 yrs (1.3/yr) Talent: 5 named leaders on record · 5 C-suite/founder profiles curated rank vs industry peers · Fliar Intelligence Index 57/100 | $55M | 2 mo ago | 41 | Jerami M Co-Founder | Framer SitesReactLenis+8 | — | — | — |
| 39 | Onebrief 🦄 Cloud-based mind mapping solutions for enterprises and the military 45Funding top 31%Moat top 31%Partners top 32%Talent top 33% All 9 signals ▾Fundingtop 31% Moattop 31% Partnerstop 32% Talenttop 33% Techtop 41% Growthtop 50% Newsbottom 39% Marketbottom 36% Globalbottom 32% Funding: Raised $53.0M across 6 rounds · 6 rounds over 6 yrs (1.0/yr) Moat: Editorial + unicorn rating 7/10 · Unicorn rank vs industry peers · Fliar Intelligence Index 45/100 | $53M | 5 mo ago | 4 | Grant Demaree Co-Founder & CEO | WebflowApple iCloud MailSalesforce+25 | 4 signals ▼60% Funding · M&A | — | 1 launch · 1 award |
| 40 | 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 | — | Will Brien Co-Founder & President | — | — | — | — |
| 41 | Morpheus Space Developer of electric propulsion systems for small satellite mobility solutions 50Talent top 28%Tech top 37%Funding top 39%Growth top 45% All 7 signals ▾Talenttop 28% Techtop 37% Fundingtop 39% Growthtop 45% Globalbottom 39% Moatbottom 38% Marketbottom 36% Talent: 3 named leaders on record · 3 C-suite/founder profiles curated Tech: 26 technologies across 5/8 capability areas · Cloud: Cloudflare, Google Cloud rank vs industry peers · Fliar Intelligence Index 50/100 | $43M | 4 mo ago | 38 | Christian Schunk Electronics Manager & Co-Founder | Wix eCommerceWixSentry+19 | — | — | 1 launch |
| 42 | 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 | 100 100 → 93 (-7%) · sector median +24% | — | WordPressApple iCloud MailMySQL+23 | — | 46 patents In-space fluid transfer, valve, propellant production, and fiducial marker technologies for spacecraft servicing | 1 launch |
| 43 | Starfish Space Developer of autonomous spacecraft for on-orbit satellite servicing and life extension 50Growth top 28%Funding top 37%News top 38%Talent top 38% All 8 signals ▾Growthtop 28% Fundingtop 37% Newstop 38% Talenttop 38% Moattop 48% Marketbottom 40% Globalbottom 39% Techbottom 37% Growth: Web rank 10,000,000 → 5,000,000 YoY · Fresh capital in last 24 mo Funding: Raised $42.0M across 5 rounds · 5 rounds over 5 yrs (1.0/yr) rank vs industry peers · Fliar Intelligence Index 50/100 | $42M | 2 mo ago | 44 | Austin Link Co-Founder | WordPressMySQLPHP+13 | 3 signals ▲200% Funding | — | 2 partnerships |
| 44 | Matternet Provider of autonomous drone networks 42Moat top 34%Growth top 35%Funding top 42%Patents top 43% All 9 signals ▾Moattop 34% Growthtop 35% Fundingtop 42% Patentstop 43% Innovationtop 47% Talentbottom 49% Globalbottom 48% Techbottom 38% Marketbottom 35% Moat: IP moat: 25 patents · 9 curated direct competitors tracked Growth: Fresh capital in last 24 mo rank vs industry peers · Fliar Intelligence Index 42/100 | $40M | 3 mo ago | — | Andreas Raptopoulos Founder & CEO | Cart FunctionalitySquarespace CommerceSquarespace+14 | — | 25 patents UAV logistics: ground stations and autonomous aerial transport systems | — |
| 45 | Imbed Biosciences Provider of nanotech-based wound care products 48Growth top 32%Funding top 37%Talent top 38%Moat top 39% All 7 signals ▾Growthtop 32% Fundingtop 37% Talenttop 38% Moattop 39% Techtop 44% Marketbottom 33% Globalbottom 32% Growth: Headcount 24 → 35 (+46%) across vintages · Fresh capital in last 24 mo Funding: Raised $34.3M across 18 rounds · 18 rounds over 16 yrs (1.1/yr) rank vs industry peers · Fliar Intelligence Index 48/100 | $34M | 4 mo ago | 35 35 → 40 (+14%) · sector median +24% | Michael Schurr Co-Founder & Chief Medical Officer | WordPress Block EditorCart FunctionalityWordPress+30 | — | — | — |
| 46 | Firestorm Developer of modular, mission-adaptable unmanned aerial systems and manufacturing solutions 53Patents top 27%Talent top 28%Innovation top 31%Funding top 36% All 9 signals ▾Patentstop 27% Talenttop 28% Innovationtop 31% Fundingtop 36% Moattop 38% Growthtop 45% Techtop 49% Globalbottom 42% Marketbottom 33% Patents: 33 patents matched (strict assignee match) · 33 filings since 2022 vs 0 in 2017-21 Talent: 3 named leaders on record · 3 C-suite/founder profiles curated rank vs industry peers · Fliar Intelligence Index 53/100 | $32M | 3 mo ago | 22 | Chad M Co-Founder | WebflowApple iCloud MailSplide+13 | — | 33 patents Modular, additively‑manufactured UAV airframes and rapid‑assembly mission‑adaptable drone systems | 4 job openings |
| 47 | Prodrone Provider of drones 37Growth top 35%Funding top 44%Partners top 45%Innovation bottom 46% All 8 signals ▾Growthtop 35% Fundingtop 44% Partnerstop 45% Innovationbottom 46% Productbottom 45% Marketbottom 40% Globalbottom 36% Techbottom 32% Growth: Fresh capital in last 24 mo Funding: Raised $15.8M across 4 rounds · 4 rounds over 9 yrs (0.4/yr) rank vs industry peers · Fliar Intelligence Index 37/100 | $16M | 1 mo ago | 50 | — | WordPressMySQLPHP+16 | — | — | — |
| 48 | Psionic Developer of GPS-independent navigation systems for land, air, and space 42Growth top 28%Patents top 35%Innovation top 40%Moat top 42% All 9 signals ▾Growthtop 28% Patentstop 35% Innovationtop 40% Moattop 42% Fundingtop 43% Talentbottom 49% Globalbottom 37% Marketbottom 32% Techbottom 30% Growth: Headcount 25 → 33 (+32%) across vintages · Fresh capital in last 24 mo Patents: 14 patents matched (strict assignee match) · 9 filings since 2022 vs 5 in 2017-21 rank vs industry peers · Fliar Intelligence Index 42/100 | $14M | 2 mo ago | 33 33 → 64 (+94%) · sector median +24% | Steve Sandford Founder & CEO | WordPressMySQLPHP+15 | — | 14 patents GPS‑denied inertial navigation and velocity‑vector tracking for aerial and ground systems | 1 award |
| 49 | Star Catcher Space-based energy grid solutions for space operations 50Talent top 28%Funding top 32%Growth top 35%Moat top 39% All 7 signals ▾Talenttop 28% Fundingtop 32% Growthtop 35% Moattop 39% Techtop 45% Globalbottom 36% Marketbottom 32% Talent: 3 named leaders on record · 3 C-suite/founder profiles curated Funding: Raised $12.2M across 2 rounds · 2 rounds over 2 yrs (1.0/yr) rank vs industry peers · Fliar Intelligence Index 50/100 | $12M | 1 mo ago | — | Andrew Rush Co-founder and CEO | WordPressMySQLPHP+16 | — | — | 6 job openings |
| 50 | Lunar Outpost Developer of robotic systems and infrastructure for planetary surface operations 69Patents top 25%Talent top 28%Innovation top 29%Product top 30% All 10 signals ▾Patentstop 25% Talenttop 28% Innovationtop 29% Producttop 30% Fundingtop 31% Growthtop 35% Techtop 44% Moattop 47% Marketbottom 48% Globalbottom 36% Patents: 36 patents matched (strict assignee match) · 36 filings since 2022 vs 0 in 2017-21 Talent: 4 named leaders on record · 3 C-suite/founder profiles curated rank vs industry peers · Fliar Intelligence Index 69/100 | $12M | 1 mo ago | 70 | Forrest Meyen Co-Founder & Chief Strategy Officer | Wix eCommerceWixSentry+17 | — | 36 patents Lunar rover mobility, thermal conductors, and robotic sampling systems for Moon exploration | 1 internship · 1 partnership · 2 awards |
Top 12 Aerospace, Maritime and Defense Tech companies in United States
#1
SpaceX 🦄Series J · Hawthorne, California · founded 2002 · 13612 employees$11.9Braised▾
SpaceX 🦄
Series J · Hawthorne, California · founded 2002 · 13612 employees
Provider of advanced aerospace and space transportation services. It delivers advanced launch services using reusable rocket systems designed to transport crew and cargo for missions to orbit, the Moon, Mars, and deep space exploration. It also develops and operates large-scale satellite networks that provide high-speed, low-latency internet connectivity across the globe, including remote and underserved regions. It supports human spaceflight programs aimed at expanding long-duration space exploration and increasing access to space for both commercial and governmental missions.
Fliar Intelligence Index™ 87how this company ranks against its industry peers
Funding
top 11%Partners
top 13%News
top 16%Market
top 18%Moat
top 20%Growth
top 30%Funding: Raised $11.9B across 27 rounds · 27 rounds over 24 yrs (1.1/yr) · Last round Series J (Mar 2026)
Partners: 5 partnership announcements in 12 mo (7 in 24 mo) · 34 contract events in 12 mo · Named contractor/client in 34 deals
News: 125 BI events in 12 mo (of 493 tracked, 16 types) · +102% YoY · 83 high-value events (IPO/M&A/funding/contracts) in 12 mo
Audience (LinkedIn): 3.6M LinkedIn followers — 53.2% of this cohort's audience
Funding rounds
- Mar 2026Series J—
- Jan 2025Series J—
- Oct 2023Conventional Debt—
- Jan 2023Series J$750M
Founders & team
Investors
FCC, Legendary Ventures, Mirae Asset, NASA, Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan, Founders Fund
Tech stack
AceAngularApple Icloud MailApple PayAzureAzure Front Door
#2
Anduril 🦄Series H · Costa Mesa, California · founded 2017 · 2193 employees$3.8Braised▾
Anduril 🦄
Series H · Costa Mesa, California · founded 2017 · 2193 employees
Provider of AI-driven defense and autonomous systems across air, land, sea, and space domains. It develops integrated platforms that enhance situational awareness, real-time decision-making, and operational effectiveness for defense and security applications. It delivers a range of autonomous systems and software-defined defense infrastructure, including surveillance systems, unmanned platforms, and command-and-control technologies designed to operate in complex and contested environments. Its solutions support modern military needs such as border security, force protection, and multi-domain mission coordination.
Fliar Intelligence Index™ 96how this company ranks against its industry peers
Funding
top 11%Innovation
top 14%Patents
top 14%Tech
top 17%Market
top 21%Moat
top 22%Funding: Raised $3.8B across 8 rounds · 8 rounds over 7 yrs (1.1/yr) · Last round Series H (May 2026)
Innovation: 329 patents (top 5% of patent-holders) · 300 filings since 2022 vs 29 in 2017-21 · Deep-tech classification: Artificial Intelligence, Tech Hardware
Patents: 329 patents matched (strict assignee match) · 300 filings since 2022 vs 29 in 2017-21 · Latest publication 2026
Funding rounds
- May 2026Series H$5B
- Dec 2025Series G$30M
- Jun 2025Series G$2.5B
- Aug 2024Series F$1.5B
Founders & team
Investors
Founders Fund, Sands Capital, Fidelity Investments, Baillie Gifford, Franklin Templeton Investments, Altimeter Capital
Tech stack
Amazon CloudfrontAmazon S3Amazon Web ServicesApolloAws Certificate ManagerCloudflare
#3
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
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
#4
Series C · Louisville, Colorado · founded 2021 · 1023 employees$1.7Braised▾
Series C · Louisville, Colorado · founded 2021 · 1023 employees
Developer of space systems, components, spacecraft, propulsion, and related technologies. The company provides solutions for commercial spaceflight, national security, and microgravity research. Offerings include spaceplanes, space station habitats, electrical power systems, and environmental control systems. The company also provides hardware, testing, and analysis services.
Fliar Intelligence Index™ 74how this company ranks against its industry peers
Funding
top 12%Patents
top 18%Moat
top 25%News
top 32%Innovation
top 34%Market
top 35%Funding: Raised $1.7B across 7 rounds · 7 rounds over 5 yrs (1.4/yr) · Last round Series C (Mar 2026)
Patents: 84 patents matched (strict assignee match) · 82 filings since 2022 vs 2 in 2017-21 · Latest publication 2026
Moat: Editorial + unicorn rating 9/10 · IP moat: 84 patents · Unicorn
Audience (LinkedIn): 147k LinkedIn followers — 2.2% of this cohort's audience
Funding rounds
- Mar 2026Series C$550M
- May 2025Grant (prize money)$2M
- Feb 2025Grant (prize money)$2M
- Nov 2023Grant (prize money)$1M
Investors
General Atlantic, Coatue, BlackRock, AE Industrial Partners, Moore Strategic Ventures, Kanematsu
Tech stack
AkismetAmazon SesAmazon Web ServicesAnimate.CssBootstrapCloudflare
#5
Series G · San Diego, California · founded 2015 · 364 employees$930.2Mraised▾
Series G · San Diego, California · founded 2015 · 364 employees
Developer of AI-powered platforms and software for defense applications. The company provides solutions for mission autonomy, surveillance, and object detection. Its offerings include autonomous pilot software, command and control toolkits, and autonomy development platforms. It also manufactures unmanned aircraft for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions.
Fliar Intelligence Index™ 93how this company ranks against its industry peers
Funding
top 9%Product
top 18%Talent
top 22%Moat
top 26%Market
top 28%Growth
top 29%Funding: Raised $930M across 16 rounds · 16 rounds over 11 yrs (1.5/yr) · Last round Series G (Mar 2026)
Product: 4 distinct product lines · Company stage: Series G
Talent: Analyst team rating 5/5 · 3 named leaders on record · 3 C-suite/founder profiles curated
Audience (LinkedIn): 151k LinkedIn followers — 2.2% of this cohort's audience
Activity (LinkedIn): 1 partnerships (incl. Hivemind) announced in 12 mo
Funding rounds
- Mar 2026Series G$2B
- Feb 2025Series F$591.8M
- Dec 2023Series F$100M
- Dec 2023Venture Debt$200M
Founders & team
Investors
Andreessen Horowitz, Homebrew, Bloomberg Beta, Founder Collective, Riot, Disruptive Ventures
Tech stack
Anime.JsApple Icloud MailCloudflareCloudflare Bot ManagementCore-JsDocusign
#6
Skydio 🦄Series F · San Mateo, California · founded 2014 · 332 employees$570Mraised▾
Skydio 🦄
Series F · San Mateo, California · founded 2014 · 332 employees
Manufacturer of autonomous drones and related software, services, and accessories. It provides drone platforms, docking stations, attachments, and software for autonomous flight, data capture, and integration. These products serve sectors including public safety, utilities, national security, inspection, transportation, construction, and oil and gas. Services include regulatory and success support, along with developer tools and training.
Fliar Intelligence Index™ 94how this company ranks against its industry peers
Patents
top 13%Funding
top 14%Tech
top 16%AI
top 20%Moat
top 22%Innovation
top 24%Patents: 614 patents matched (strict assignee match) · 513 filings since 2022 vs 98 in 2017-21 · Latest publication 2026
Funding: Raised $570M across 7 rounds · 7 rounds over 11 yrs (0.6/yr) · Last round Series F (Apr 2026)
Tech: 90 technologies across 6/8 capability areas · Cloud: Amazon Cloudfront, Amazon Web Services · Devops: Envoy
Audience (LinkedIn): 136k LinkedIn followers — 2.0% of this cohort's audience
Hiring (LinkedIn): 2 hiring posts in 12 mo (public) · momentum +2 · hiring: Staff Global Supply Manager, Mechanicals, Senior Global Supply Manager, Camera
Funding rounds
- Apr 2026Series F$110M
- May 2024Series E$170M
- Mar 2022Series E$230M
- Feb 2021Series D$170M
Founders & team
Investors
Andreessen Horowitz, Accel, IVP, Deep Learning, Playground Global, Linse Capital
Tech stack
AffirmAmazon CloudfrontAmazon Web ServicesAmerican ExpressApple Icloud MailApple Pay
#7
Archer 🦄Public · San Jose, California · founded 2018 · 424 employees$1.5Braised▾
Archer 🦄
Public · San Jose, California · founded 2018 · 424 employees
Developer of electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft for commercial use. The company focuses on aircraft certification, safety, and defense applications. It provides updates through its newsroom and offers various resources. These resources include information for investors, media, and potential employees.
Fliar Intelligence Index™ 67how this company ranks against its industry peers
Funding
top 18%Partners
top 21%Growth
top 24%Tech
top 25%Innovation
top 28%Moat
top 31%Funding: Raised $1.5B across 5 rounds · 5 rounds over 3 yrs (1.7/yr) · Last round Post IPO (Dec 2025)
Partners: 3 partnership announcements in 12 mo (6 in 24 mo) · 15 contract events in 12 mo · Named contractor/client in 15 deals
Growth: Headcount 164 → 424 (+159%) across vintages · 6 acquisition/expansion moves in 24 mo · Fresh capital in last 24 mo
Audience (LinkedIn): 169k LinkedIn followers — 2.5% of this cohort's audience
Hiring (LinkedIn): 1 hiring post in 12 mo (public) · hiring: Staff GNC Engineer
Funding rounds
- Dec 2025Post IPO—
- Jun 2025Post IPO$850M
- Dec 2024Post IPO$430M
- Aug 2024Post IPO$220M
Founders & team
Investors
United Airlines, Stellantis, Boeing, ARK Investment Management, Wellington, 2PointZero
Tech stack
Amazon Web ServicesAnimate.CssApple Icloud MailBugherdCdnjsCloudflare
#8
Public · Herndon, Virginia · founded 2015 · 21 employees$386.7Mraised▾
Public · Herndon, Virginia · founded 2015 · 21 employees
Developer of satellite-based geographic monitoring and communication solutions. It provides users with a constellation of small satellites in low Earth orbit, to generate reports on wireless signals that can be used to track and monitor global transportation networks, assist with emergencies, and provide other data analytics services to various industries. It also provides maritime situational awareness, collecting information about vessels to create a wealth of current and historical data useful for commercial planning and monitoring, and emergency response.
Fliar Intelligence Index™ 67how this company ranks against its industry peers
Funding
top 9%News
top 18%Talent
top 25%Moat
top 28%Growth
top 30%Patents
top 31%Funding: Raised $387M across 13 rounds · 13 rounds over 10 yrs (1.3/yr) · Last round Series E (Mar 2026)
News: 17 BI events in 12 mo (of 71 tracked, 8 types) · +55% YoY · 9 high-value events (IPO/M&A/funding/contracts) in 12 mo
Talent: Analyst team rating 5/5 · 2 named leaders on record · 2 C-suite/founder profiles curated
Audience (LinkedIn): 27k LinkedIn followers
Funding rounds
- Mar 2026Series E$23M
- Dec 2025Conventional Debt—
- Dec 2025Series E$150M
- Apr 2024Conventional Debt$40M
Founders & team
Investors
Advance, NightDragon, Razor's Edge Ventures, Adage Capital Management, Esri, Shield Capital
Tech stack
AccessibeCloudflareCloudflare Bot ManagementFastlyGoogle AnalyticsGsap
#9
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
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
#10
Hermeus 🦄Series C · Atlanta, Georgia · founded 2018 · 139 employees$238.8Mraised▾
Hermeus 🦄
Series C · Atlanta, Georgia · founded 2018 · 139 employees
Manufacturer of supersonic aircraft. It is involved in designing supersonic aircraft for providing broadband human connectivity to the global community. Its aircraft technology is designed to increase speed and reduce cost.
Fliar Intelligence Index™ 74how this company ranks against its industry peers
News
top 18%Funding
top 23%Growth
top 25%Talent
top 30%Tech
top 39%Market
top 44%News: 12 BI events in 12 mo (of 23 tracked, 4 types) · 4 high-value events (IPO/M&A/funding/contracts) in 12 mo · Top themes: Capital raise, Funding, Leadership
Funding: Raised $239M across 6 rounds · 6 rounds over 7 yrs (0.9/yr) · Last round Conventional Debt (Apr 2026)
Growth: Fresh capital in last 24 mo
Audience (LinkedIn): 126k LinkedIn followers · 278 engagements/post (2.0× cohort median)
Activity (LinkedIn): 1 awards · 1 expansions announced in 12 mo
Funding rounds
- Apr 2026Conventional Debt$150M
- Aug 2025Series C$200.6M
- Jun 2024Series B$40M
- Mar 2022Series B$119.6M
Founders & team
Investors
Khosla Ventures, Founders Fund, In-Q-Tel, Canaan, Revolution, Bling Capital
Tech stack
AngularCart FunctionalityCloudflareCloudflare Bot ManagementCore-JsGoogle Analytics
#11
Series A · Long Beach, California · founded 2021 · 192 employees$500Mraised▾
Series A · Long Beach, California · founded 2021 · 192 employees
Developer of commercial space stations designed for long-term space habitation. The company is focused on building space stations and advancing technologies for living and working in space. It develops hardware and systems for space station modules, including primary structures, solar arrays, and environmental control systems. The company aims to provide platforms for government astronaut missions, private astronaut missions, and payload missions.
Fliar Intelligence Index™ 64how this company ranks against its industry peers
Funding
top 18%Growth
top 35%Talent
top 38%Tech
top 45%Moat
top 48%Market
top 49%Funding: Raised $500M across 2 rounds · 2 rounds over 1 yrs (2.0/yr) · Last round Conventional Debt (Mar 2026)
Growth: Fresh capital in last 24 mo
Talent: 2 named leaders on record · 2 C-suite/founder profiles curated
Audience (LinkedIn): 105k LinkedIn followers
Activity (LinkedIn): 1 product launches · 1 partnerships (incl. UC San Diego Sanford Stem Cell Institute, Auxilium Biotechnologies, LambdaVision, Inc.) announced in 12 mo
Funding rounds
- Mar 2026Conventional Debt$200M
- Mar 2026Series A$300M
- Nov 2025Seed—
Founders & team
Investors
In-Q-Tel, Balerion Space Ventures, Qatar Investment Authority, Mitsui, MUFG, Nikon
Tech stack
Apple Icloud MailCart FunctionalityCloudflareCookieyesDocusignDropbox
#12
Series D · Houston, Texas · founded 2016 · 2 employees$480Mraised▾
Series D · Houston, Texas · founded 2016 · 2 employees
Developer of commercial space stations for habitation. Its space stations can host microgravity experiments and space-environment materials testing. It is also developing a thruster that can be installed on a mobile propulsion test stand. It also caters to government astronauts, tourists, private companies, and individuals for research, manufacturing, space exploration system testing and tourism.
Fliar Intelligence Index™ 74how this company ranks against its industry peers
Funding
top 20%Product
top 21%Tech
top 23%Innovation
top 25%Moat
top 26%News
top 27%Funding: Raised $480M across 3 rounds · 3 rounds over 8 yrs (0.4/yr) · Last round Series D (Feb 2026)
Product: 9 distinct product lines · Company stage: Series D
Tech: 39 technologies across 5/8 capability areas · Cloud: Amazon Cloudfront, Amazon S3 · Security: Cloudflare Bot Management, Hsts
Audience (LinkedIn): 174k LinkedIn followers — 2.6% of this cohort's audience
Activity (LinkedIn): 1 partnerships (incl. Axiom Space) announced in 12 mo
Funding rounds
- Feb 2026Series D$350M
- Aug 2023Series C$350M
- Feb 2021Series B$130M
- Aug 2018Series A—
Founders & team
Investors
C5 Capital, Starbridge Venture Capital, Hemisphere Ventures, The Venture Collective, Declaration Partners, TQS Advisors
Tech stack
Apple Icloud MailCloudflareCloudflare Bot ManagementFont AwesomeGoogle AnalyticsGoogle Font Api
Funding & investor landscape
$56.6Btotal disclosed funding
873companies funded
2,643disclosed rounds
34rounds last 90 days
Most active investors
Notable founders
Elon Musk
Co-Founder & CEO · SpaceX
Matt Grimm
Co-Founder & COO · Anduril
Joseph Chen
Co-Founder · Anduril
Ryan McLinko
Co-Founder · Astranis
John Gedmark
Co-Founder & CEO · Astranis
Brandon Tseng
Co-Founder · Shield AI
Ryan Tseng
Co-Founder & Chief Strategy Officer & President · Shield AI
Abraham Bachrach
Co-Founder & CTO · Skydio
Matt Donahoe
Co-Founder · Skydio
Brett Adcock
Co-Founder · Archer
Robert Mcgwier
Founder and Technical Adviser · HawkEye 360
John Serafini
CEO and Board Member · HawkEye 360
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-system advances in U.S. launch vehicle development.
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), now dominating U.S. propulsion research trajectories.
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), reflecting intensifying safety and stability worries around detonation-based propulsion.
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
- Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne13
- Firehawk Aerospace13
Common questions
How many Aerospace, Maritime and Defense Tech companies are there in United States?
Radar tracks 3080 indexable Aerospace, Maritime and Defense Tech companies headquartered in United States that meet our profile-completeness bar.
What is the total funding raised by Aerospace, Maritime and Defense Tech companies in United States?
The Aerospace, Maritime and Defense Tech companies in United States on this list have raised a combined $56.6B in disclosed equity funding across 873 funded companies.
Which is the highest-funded Aerospace, Maritime and Defense Tech company in United States?
SpaceX is the highest-funded Aerospace, Maritime and Defense Tech company in United States, with $11.9B in disclosed equity funding.
How many Aerospace, Maritime and Defense Tech companies in United States are funded?
873 of the 3080 Aerospace, Maritime and Defense Tech companies in United States on this list have disclosed at least one equity funding round.
How many Aerospace, Maritime and Defense Tech unicorns are there in United States?
29 Aerospace, Maritime and Defense Tech companies in United States on this list are valued at $1B or more.
Who are the top investors in United States Aerospace, Maritime and Defense Tech companies?
The most active investors in United States Aerospace, Maritime and Defense Tech companies on this list include Y Combinator, Techstars, National Science Foundation, NASA, OSTI.
Riya SenguptaFinancials
Riya reads income statements for fun. She covers the real money in a sector — revenue, growth, who actually earns — and never met a vague claim she didn't want a number for.