Autonomous systems investors

Published investor focus

• BAE Systems Launchpad

  United States

  BAE Systems says Launchpad creates and grows startups, accelerates early-stage transformative defense research, supports dual-use innovation, and invests in venture-capital funds backing defense-tech startups.

• Black Flag

  United States

  Black Flag says it provides capital and hands-on support to founders building in AI, aerospace, biology, energy and robotics, and states that it invests $500K–$5M and invests early.

• Caladan Capital

  United States

  Caladan's official investments page documents portfolio companies in marine technology, fiber-optic maritime sensing, and autonomous military aircraft (including Hivemind/V-BAT capabilities).

• Caterpillar Ventures

  United States

  Caterpillar's official article describes Caterpillar Ventures as its way to invest in startups advancing technologies that solve customer challenges, including autonomy and robotics.

• DCVC

  San Francisco, CA, United States

  DCVC is a deep-technology venture capital firm backing companies based on engineering and scientific breakthroughs. Its portfolio and investment themes include space, robotics, autonomy, and national-security applications.

• Draper Associates

  United States

  Draper's site lists aerospace and space as an industry and presents investments in technology companies using AI, robotics, or automation.

• Embedded Ventures

  Los Angeles, CA, United States

  Embedded Ventures invests in founders developing frontier technologies with national-security and commercial applications. Its thesis emphasizes hardware, space, defense and other technologies that can transition between government and commercial markets.

• Expeditions Fund

  United States

  The fund's stated focus covers defense, intelligence, autonomy/AI, advanced/edge computing and cybersecurity; its portfolio/deal materials identify Qomodo (IoT threat management), Calypso AI (AI-model security), Labrys Technologies (GovTech network management) and Disruptive Industries (OSINT).

• Founders Fund

  San Francisco, CA, United States

  Founders Fund is a venture capital firm investing across stages and sectors. Its portfolio includes aerospace, defense, space infrastructure, and autonomy companies.

• Harpoon Ventures

  San Jose, CA, United States

  Harpoon Ventures is a venture capital firm investing in emerging technologies relevant to national security. The firm focuses on deep technology and works with founders developing products for defense and commercial markets.

• Honeywell Ventures

  United States

  Honeywell's official release says its Honeywell Ventures investment fund has strategic investments in robotics companies, including Soft Robotics.

• Industrious Ventures

  United States

  Industrious Ventures' official portfolio page names AstroForge and Canopy Aerospace and describes investments in advanced propulsion for national security and space, autonomous navigation, and electrification of aerospace, defense, and marine systems.

• Inflection

  United States

  OpenVC profile lists first checks at idea stage across cryptography, robotics, aerospace, defense tech and critical infrastructure.

• Institutional Venture Partners (IVP)

  United States

  IVP's official portfolio page lists Skydio and calls it the leading U.S. drone manufacturer and a world leader in autonomous flight.

• Khosla Ventures

  United States

  Robotics/defense investor research documents robotics and frontier-technology activity relevant to dual use.

• Linse Capital

  United States

  Linse Capital's official portfolio page lists Skydio and describes it as the leading U.S. drone manufacturer and world leader in autonomous flight.

• Lux Capital

  New York, NY, United States

  Lux Capital is a technology venture firm investing in companies built around scientific and engineering breakthroughs. Its portfolio and investment activity include defense, space, robotics, AI, cybersecurity and other dual-use frontier technologies.

  Lux’s May 21, 2026 quarterly report discusses defense and industrial investment and names companies including Cambridge Aerospace, EnduroSat and Kela. This provides evidence of interest across allied defense and space markets. The report is not a current eligibility policy or a statement of check size for a new company. Offering context reviewed October 2, 2026.

  Research the partner and portfolio relevant to your specific technology, then confirm investment stage, jurisdiction, current fund and lead/follow preference. Explain the technical milestone and business model rather than relying on the broad defense label. Ask about competitive overlap and the evidence required to move from an introduction to diligence.

• Menlo Ventures

  United States

  Menlo's defense practice says it invests across motors and actuators for drones and robots, uncrewed systems, space and air defenses, and software/intelligence.

• MVP Ventures

  United States

  Official portfolio lists Saronic, Allen Control Systems, Stoke Space and Darkhive.ai, covering autonomous maritime defense, autonomous weapons, space and military drones.

• New North Ventures

  Boston, MA, United States

  New North Ventures backs early-stage founders applying deep technology to industrial, defense and national-security problems.

  New North Ventures describes national-security, AI and deep-tech experience and publishes HawkEye 360 as portfolio evidence. Its site describes support at the intersection of startups and government. That is a reason to research mission and business-model fit, not a promise of customer access or funding. Offering context reviewed October 2, 2026.

  Confirm the current fund’s stage, geographic/legal requirements, round size and lead/follow preference. Prepare the commercial and national-security use cases, evidence behind each and milestone the round funds. Ask which team member would sponsor diligence and what evidence is required before a decision.

• Overmatch Ventures

  Washington, DC, United States

  Overmatch Ventures invests in companies developing technology for defense and national security. The firm is focused on entrepreneurs and products that give military and government users an operational advantage.

• Playground Global

  United States

  Official portfolio lists Relativity Space and describes it as building an autonomous rocket factory and launch services for satellites.

• Protego Ventures

  United States

  Protego says it invests in early growth-stage companies across defense areas including sensors, AI/ML, and autonomous systems such as drones and UAVs.

• Riot Ventures

  Los Angeles, CA, United States

  Riot Ventures invests in founders building the next generation of defense and national-security companies. Its focus includes defense technology, aerospace, autonomy, and cybersecurity.