All Rankings

Top 100 Defense & Space Tech Startups in the US 2026

The most-funded defense tech and space tech startups headquartered in the United States, ranked by total capital raised.

Known total funding for 100 of 100 ranked companies: $73.2B.

Showing top 100 matching companies · Ranked by total funding raised

Use company data through the API.
Example request
curl "https://indexed.vc/api/v1/companies?industries=Defense+Tech,Space+Tech&countries=United+States&operatingStatus=active&sort=total_funding_raised&order=desc&limit=100" -H "X-API-Key: YOUR_API_KEY"

The API industry filter also matches related labels: Defense, Aerospace & Defense, Space, Aerospace.

The API has no company type filter, so public companies can appear; this list counts private companies only.

The API cannot leave out companies whose latest round is a grant, private equity or debt financing; this list does.

Data from Indexed.vcUpdated

Methodology: up to 100 active companies matching this list's filters are ordered by disclosed total funding in USD. Companies whose latest round is one of: Grant, Private Equity, Debt Financing are excluded. Totals include recorded grants and other qualifying funding, not just equity. Open a company profile for its funding summary and available detail. How this data is built.

26
Robotic Research

Forterra builds autonomous mission systems that integrate mobility, communications, sensing, and ...

Clarksburg, United States201–500Artificial Intelligence, Defense Tech
Series CTotal funding$641.7MNov 2025
27
Northwood Space

Provides end-to-end ground infrastructure and phased-array ground stations for satellite communic...

Torrance, United States51–200Infrastructure, Space Tech
Series CTotal funding$611.3MNov 2026
28
Varda

In-space pharmaceutical manufacturing company that designs, builds, and flies spacecraft to proce...

El Segundo, United States51–200Biotech, Manufacturing
Series DTotal funding$610.3MSep 2026
29
Epirus

Epirus develops directed energy and high-power microwave systems, including the Leonidas platform...

Torrance, United States201–500Defense Tech
Series DTotal funding$535.0MMar 2025
30
Apex Space

Apex manufactures configurable satellite bus platforms at scale for commercial and government con...

Los Angeles, United States51–200Aerospace, Manufacturing
Series DTotal funding$535.0MSep 2025
31
Hermeus

Hermeus develops high-speed aircraft and propulsion systems for defense missions, using rapid ite...

Atlanta, United States201–500Aerospace, Defense Tech
Series CTotal funding$502.1MApr 2026
32
Skyryse

Aviation technology company ushering in a new era of flight safety with automation.

El Segundo, United States51–200Defense Tech
Series CTotal funding$500.0MFeb 2026
33
Muon Space

Designs, builds, and operates mission-optimized satellite constellations delivering Earth-observa...

Mountain View, United States51–200Data & Analytics, Hardware
Series CTotal funding$491.9MAug 2026
34
Starcloud

Starcloud builds scalable data center infrastructure in space, using solar energy and radiative c...

Redmond, United States1–10Cloud, Space Tech
Extension RoundTotal funding$477.9MAug 2026
35
Peregrine

Peregrine creates software that helps organizations integrate and analyze large and complex data ...

San Francisco, United States201–500Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity
Series DTotal funding$470.0MJun 2026
36
Loft Orbital

Loft integrates, launches, and operates spacecraft for governments, companies, and research insti...

San Francisco, United States51–200Aerospace, Space Tech
Series CTotal funding$463.9MJan 2025
37
Long Wall

Defense tech manufacturer of modular missile defense and hypersonic test systems for U.S. defense...

Los Angeles, United States1–10Defense Tech
Extension RoundTotal funding$419.2MOct 2021
38
JetZero

JetZero is developing the Z4, a blended wing body commercial aircraft designed for zero-emission ...

Long Beach, United States51–200Climate Tech, Defense Tech
Series BTotal funding$410.0MJan 2026
39
Mariana Minerals

Mariana Minerals develops and operates software-first critical-minerals projects, supplying mater...

Houston, United States51–200Artificial Intelligence, Defense Tech
Series BTotal funding$395.0MAug 2026
40
AMCA

Advanced Manufacturing Company of America designs and manufactures advanced aerospace and defense...

El Segundo, United States11–50Defense Tech
Series BTotal funding$376.5MMay 2026
41
Neros

Neros develops and manufactures advanced unmanned drone systems for battlefield defense with a U....

El Segundo, United States51–200Defense Tech
Series CTotal funding$372.0MAug 2026
42
Cowboy Space

Cowboy Space builds solar-powered orbital data centers, combining rockets and satellites to deliv...

San Francisco, United States11–50Aerospace, Space Tech
Series BTotal funding$365.0MMay 2026
43
SparkCognition

Empowering the world’s problem-solvers and catalyzing growth with their proven artificial intelli...

San Francisco, United States201–500Energy, Artificial Intelligence
Series DTotal funding$320.0MJan 2022
44
Rebellion Defense

Rebellion builds technology products using artificial intelligence and machine learning that serv...

Washington, United States11–50Artificial Intelligence, Defense Tech
Series CTotal funding$316.0MMar 2024
45
Saildrone

Builds and operates autonomous, wind- and solar-powered unmanned surface vehicles for defense, go...

Alameda, United States201–500Artificial Intelligence, Hardware
Corporate RoundTotal funding$284.0MOct 2025
46
BLACK CAPE, INC.

Black Cape engineers trustworthy AI, data analysis, and software solutions for U.S. defense, inte...

Arlington, United States51–200Artificial Intelligence, Defense Tech
Corporate RoundTotal funding$281.6MMar 2025
47
Hubble Network

Hubble Network develops satellite connectivity for Bluetooth devices, helping track shipping cont...

Las Vegas, United States11–50Space Tech
Series CTotal funding$270.0MSep 2026
48
EPIR, INC.

R&D company with 33 SBIR/STTR awards from Department of Defense, Department of Energy, National A...

BOLINGBROOK, United States11–50Defense Tech
Series DTotal funding$267.6MMar 2025
49
Allen Control Systems

Allen Control Systems builds AI-powered autonomous robotic weapon stations for counter-drone defe...

Alexandria, United States11–50Defense Tech
Series BTotal funding$254.0MJun 2026
50
Niantic Spatial

AI spatial computing platform

San Francisco, United States51–200Artificial Intelligence, Defense Tech
Corporate RoundTotal funding$250.0MMar 2025