Applied Intuition Secures $600M to Expand Defense Tech Efforts
▼ Summary
– Applied Intuition raised $600 million in a Series F round, increasing its valuation to $15 billion.
– The funding was co-led by BlackRock and Kleiner Perkins, with participation from new and existing investors like Qatar Investment Authority and General Catalyst.
– The company specializes in autonomous vehicle software, offering simulation tools and data management solutions for businesses and governments.
– Applied Intuition works with major automakers and AV firms like Gatik and Kodiak, aiming to be the go-to for AI and software challenges in the sector.
– The company has expanded into defense, helping the U.S. Army autonomize an infantry squad vehicle in just 10 days.
Applied Intuition, a leader in autonomous vehicle software, has secured $600 million in Series F funding, catapulting its valuation to $15 billion. This latest investment round highlights growing confidence in the company’s innovative approach to defense and automotive technology.
The funding was co-led by BlackRock-managed funds and Kleiner Perkins, with participation from new backers like the Qatar Investment Authority, Abu Dhabi Investment Council, and Greycroft. Existing investors, including General Catalyst, Lux Capital, and Bond, the growth fund led by Mary Meeker, also doubled down on their support.
This massive capital infusion arrives just 12 months after the company’s $250 million Series E, which had valued it at $6 billion. Applied Intuition specializes in cutting-edge simulation tools and data management systems for autonomous vehicle development, serving both private enterprises and government agencies.
CEO Qasar Younis has emphasized the company’s ambition to become the go-to partner for solving complex AI and software challenges in autonomy. “We want to be the first call when organizations face these problems,” he noted in a previous interview.
The firm collaborates with major automakers and AV startups like Gatik and Kodiak, but its expansion into defense technology has drawn significant attention. Recently, the U.S. Army enlisted Applied Intuition to retrofit infantry squad vehicles with autonomous capabilities, a project completed in just 10 days. The team engineered a robotic system capable of operating steering, acceleration, and braking, demonstrating remarkable agility in adapting commercial tech for military use.
With this fresh funding, the company is poised to accelerate its dual focus on civilian and defense applications, reinforcing its position at the forefront of autonomous innovation.
(Source: TechCrunch)
