Robotics-Driven Startups Land Major Funding in Farming and Maritime Defence

Separately, Kraken Technology has raised $175 million in a Series B round to advance its autonomous maritime defence systems, Ventureburn reported. The financing values the UK-based company at $1 billion, placing it among Europe's newest defence technology unicorns.

The round was led by DTCP and drew backing from a broad group of investors, including the British Business Bank, the NATO Innovation Fund, Rheinmetall, Inocea Group, HICO, Thesiger Capital Group, BOKA Capital, Supernova Invest, Hakluyt Capital, the UK's National Security Strategic Investment Fund, SmartCap, Notion Capital and Speedinvest.

According to the report, the capital will fund rapid product development and expand the company's international manufacturing footprint, while strengthening production partnerships across key defence markets.

Autonomous Platforms for Naval Roles

Kraken Technology, founded by Chief Executive Officer Mal Crease, builds uncrewed surface vessels and subsurface platforms for defence, security and commercial clients, using lightweight carbon-fibre composites. Its flagship K3 SCOUT platform is designed for missions such as maritime surveillance, logistics, force protection and precision strikes.

The company also produces the K4 MANTA, a hybrid vessel able to operate both above and below the surface for covert operations, along with larger K5 KRAKEN and K7 SABRE platforms.

Together, the two rounds underscore how robotics and autonomy continue to draw significant private and institutional investment across distinct industries, from food production to maritime security.