Saronic secures additional $1.75 billion for shipyard expansion and autonomy

Saronic Technologies, Austin, Texas, announced it has raised $1.75 billion in Series D funding to expand autonomous vessel production, shipyard infrastructure, and manufacturing capacity in the United States. The funding round values the company at $9.25 billion.

The round was led by Kleiner Perkins and included new investors such as Advent International, Bessemer Venture Partners, and DFJ Growth, along with existing investors including Andreessen Horowitz and Franklin Templeton.

The company said the funding will be used to expand production of autonomous surface vessels and invest in shipbuilding infrastructure, including development of a new shipyard referred to as Port Alpha and expansion of existing facilities in Louisiana and Texas.

Saronic has positioned its business model around autonomy-focused vessel design combined with modern manufacturing processes intended to increase production speed and capacity. The company said the approach is aimed at increasing U.S. shipbuilding capacity while producing autonomous vessels for defense and commercial customers.

The company currently produces a range of autonomous surface vessels, including the 24' Corsair and the 180' Marauder autonomous ship. Saronic said demand is increasing for autonomous platforms with greater range, endurance, and payload capacity, and the new funding will support scaled production of larger vessels. 

Saronic reported significant growth in 2025, including a $392 million production contract with the U.S. Navy and the completion of the first Marauder hull less than six months after construction began and less than eight months after acquiring the shipbuilding facility used to build it.

The company also acquired a Louisiana shipyard and committed approximately $300 million to expand the facility by 300,000 sq. ft., a project expected to create about 1,500 jobs. Saronic has also expanded its headquarters in Austin and opened additional offices in San Diego, Washington, D.C., the United Kingdom, and Australia.

Saronic also partnered with Hornbeck Offshore Services to support shipyard operations, workforce development, and autonomous vessel production along the Gulf Coast, leveraging Hornbeck’s offshore vessel and maritime operations experience.

Company officials said the investment is intended to support both autonomous vessel production and expansion of U.S. shipbuilding capacity tied to autonomous maritime systems.