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Applied Intuition raises $600 million as it pushes further into defense

Applied Intuition has raised $600 million in a Series F funding round, increasing its valuation to $15 billion. Co-led by BlackRock and Kleiner Perkins, the funding will help expand its software solutions for autonomous vehicles, now including defense applications, such as aiding the U.S. Army in vehicle autonomy.

Key points

  • Applied Intuition successfully raised $600 million in Series F funding.
  • The funding round was co-led by BlackRock-managed funds and Kleiner Perkins.
  • New investors included Qatar Investment Authority and Abu Dhabi Investment Council.
  • Valuation rose from $6 billion (after Series E) to $15 billion.
  • The firm specializes in software for developing autonomous vehicle solutions.
  • Applied Intuition is working with major automakers and new players in autonomous vehicles.
  • The company has begun to expand into defense applications, notably working with the U.S. Army.

Why it matters

  • The trend toward defense contractors collaborating with tech firms has increased, notably with the growing emphasis on autonomous technology in military applications.
  • This investment aligns with the trend of increased funding in AI and autonomy sectors since 2023.
  • As the defense sector adopts advanced tech, similar investments may be crucial for national security and operational efficiency by 2025.

The substantial funding for Applied Intuition illustrates the growing intersection of technology and defense, indicating a significant shift towards integrating autonomous solutions within military operations.