HavocAI Secures $85 Million Funding Led by B Capital and In-Q-Tel to Scale Autonomous Naval Fleet Technology
HavocAI, the Rhode Island–based startup developing autonomous surface vessels for defense and commercial use, has secured US $85 million in new capital to accelerate production and expand its technological footprint. The round brings the company’s total funding to nearly US $100 million in just 18 months of operation, a significant benchmark for a maritime-autonomy firm.
The financing includes a mix of strategic and financial backers: new investors comprise B Capital, In-Q-Tel (the U.S. intelligence community’s venture arm), Lockheed Martin Ventures, Hanwha Aerospace & Defense, Taiwania Capital, Vanderbilt University Venture Capital, Up Partners, Island Green Capital and Zero Infinity Partners, while early supporters such as Scout Ventures and Outlander Ventures continued participating.
HavocAI co-founded by Paul Lwin (CEO) and Joe Turner has built and deployed unmanned surface vessels (USVs) in lengths including 14 ft, 38 ft, 42 ft and recently the 100-ft “Atlas” multi-mission vessel. The company emphasises a software-first strategy, designing autonomy systems that can integrate with existing shipyards rather than building hulls from scratch—arguing this enables scale by leveraging manufacturing capacity already in place.
The fresh capital will support three key initiatives: integrating HavocAI’s autonomy stack onto additional vessel types, ramping up manufacturing capability to meet U.S. military demand for large fleets of unmanned craft, and expanding international allied deployment—especially in the Indo-Pacific region. The company states that the autonomy of its platform enables a single operator to control hundreds—or eventually thousands—of USVs in coordinated missions, a capability it sees as critical for modern naval operations.
Investor commentary highlights the company’s traction. Howard Morgan of B Capital described HavocAI as “actually delivering working solutions that solve real operational challenges,” while an executive from Taiwania emphasised the startup’s potential to contribute to regional deterrence through technological superiority. The presence of In-Q-Tel and Lockheed Martin underscores the defence-sector faith in the company’s strategic relevance.
HavocAI’s timing coincides with rising demand for unmanned and attritable maritime systems as navies and allied forces seek to innovate in contested littoral zones. The firm says it has already built more than 30 operational vessels and signed partnership agreements with companies including Metal Shark, PacMar Technologies, and others to deploy its autonomy software across varied hull types. The “software-first” model allows the business to focus on scaling autonomy algorithms, system integration and fleet orchestration rather than the laborious build-from-scratch process.
However, scaling this model brings challenges. Manufacturing large fleets of autonomous maritime systems demands complex supply-chain management, naval regulatory approvals, integration with legacy platforms and securing large-scale contracts with long sales cycles. HawocAI will need to prove the reliability and mission durability of its systems at scale, as military and commercial customers reserve large investments only after proven deployment data. Ensuring cost-effectiveness—especially in the “attritable” model of unmanned vessels—is central.
Moreover, as HavocAI pursues international expansion, it must navigate export controls, partner-ecosystem complexity and the varied operational requirements of allied navies. The firm’s ability to demonstrate interoperability, readiness for allied operation and local partner collaborations will influence its global uptake. With recent funding, the company gives itself resources to tackle these issues.
The $85 million round reinforces an accelerated trajectory for HavocAI. From its initial seed financing of $11 million in September 2024 (led by Scout Ventures and co-led by Trousdale Ventures—with participation from Outlander VC, The Veteran Fund, BV.VC, Alumni Ventures and New North Ventures) to this major strategic investment, the startup has moved rapidly. The raise signals deep investor confidence that HavocAI’s autopilot maritime systems can become foundational for future fleets.
HavocAI is now positioned at the intersection of maritime autonomy, defence innovation and fleet-scale deployment—a capital-intensive arena where the new funding gives it critical runway to build hardware, deliver vetted systems and capture a growing market in unmanned maritime operations.
