Seasats, San Diego, a manufacturer of small uncrewed surface vehicles, has closed a $20 million Series A financing led by Konvoy Ventures, with participation from Shield Capital, DNS Capital, Techstars, Tanis Venture Management, Crumpton Ventures, Dorado Group, and other strategic investors.
The company has raised more than $40 million in total funding and has recently been awarded over $100 million in U.S. government contracts.
The U.S. Navy is rapidly expanding plans to build out uncrewed surface vessel fleets, prioritizing robotic and autonomous systems as cost-effective alternatives to manned combatants for missions including intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and resupply operations.
"Seasats has delivered what much of the market continues to promise: operationally proven autonomous surface vehicles that can deploy and meet the mission," said Jason Chapman, co-founder and managing partner at Konvoy Ventures. "As part of our diligence, we spoke directly with Seasats' customers, and we were impressed by their consistent testimony about the vessel's ability to execute real-world missions. Combined with growing adoption across military, commercial, and international partners, Seasats is uniquely positioned to deliver the next phase of maritime autonomy."
Seasats produces long-endurance autonomous vessels and interceptor craft. The company's long-endurance vessel has completed trans-Pacific and trans-Atlantic crossings, and its interceptor has conducted continuous operations of over a week.
"Robotics typically deliver value by automating tasks across one or more of the three D's: dirty, dull, and dangerous," said Mike Flanigan, CEO and co-founder of Seasats. "We've focused on attacking the 'dull' problem, making vessels that can reliably operate for weeks or months, just like Navy and utility ships do. That approach has won tremendous support from users and investors, and this funding underscores that."
In the past year, Seasats secured U.S. Marine Corps and U.S. Navy contracts. The company was also selected for the Department of War's Accelerate the Procurement and Fielding of Innovative Technologies (APFIT) program, which funds innovative capabilities that have completed development and are ready to scale.
The APFIT program is designed to rapidly field-proven technologies to military units.
Funds from the Series A will support the expansion of new facilities, additional product lines, and continued team growth as the company responds to increasing demand for low-cost, scalable maritime autonomy, Seasats said.
"Seasats is delivering critical capabilities that strengthen security for the United States and our allies," said Philip Bilden, founder and managing partner at Shield Capital. "Whether providing port security, patrolling coasts, or protecting our forward deployed military in dangerous duties, Seasats is supporting missions that matter."
