Epirus, a rising star in the defense tech landscape, recently announced it raised an impressive $250 million Series D round. The funding was led by 8VC and Washington Harbour Partners, underscoring investors’ growing interest in advanced technologies designed to address modern security threats.
This Los Angeles-based company specializes in high-power microwave (HPM) systems, which have the unique ability to disable or neutralize drones, drone swarms, and other electronic devices. By honing in on HPM technology, Epirus provides defense and security solutions that aim to protect critical infrastructure, military operations, and commercial enterprises—an offering that many see as essential in today’s rapidly evolving threat environment.
A Strategic Investment from General Dynamics
Along with traditional venture capital participation, the latest round of funding included a strategic investment from General Dynamics Land Systems. This participation highlights the defense industry’s growing confidence in Epirus’ high-energy microwave technology, which could potentially transform how militaries and security forces handle new-age warfare scenarios.
Founded in 2018, Epirus has now raised more than $550 million in total. Although the company didn’t disclose its new valuation, the sheer size of this Series D speaks volumes about the confidence backers have in Epirus’ capabilities. Its technology’s ability to quickly counter threats like drone swarms—a concern that governments and private sectors share—places the company on a fast track for global expansion.
Plans for Global and Commercial Growth in Defense Tech
Epirus intends to use the fresh capital infusion to expand internationally, widen its customer base, and ramp up commercial market outreach. The funds will also help the company grow its workforce, ensuring it can continue to innovate and meet the escalating global demand for anti-drone and electronic countermeasures.
“With our capital and talent, and the right partnerships with the U.S. Department of Defense, we will continue to advance Epirus’ technology. It will quickly become critical for defending aircraft, ships, and even satellites and space-based platforms—shaping the future of warfare,”
— Epirus founder and 8VC managing partner Joe Lonsdale.
This statement underscores Epirus’ ambition to supply technology that not only supports traditional battlefield operations but also extends defense capabilities to the final frontier: space.
The Rise of Big-Ticket Defense Tech Funding
Epirus’ substantial raise is no anomaly; it’s just the newest example of significant capital flooding into defense tech. In a fast-changing geopolitical climate, investors are looking to back ventures that promise safety, strategic advantage, and commercial applications. As a result, venture funding in the defense sector has soared.
Recent Crunchbase data revealed that funding to VC-backed defense startups—covering military, national security, and law enforcement—reached $3 billion. This figure marked an 11% increase from the $2.7 billion tallied the year before. The uptick indicates growing confidence in defense-focused products and solutions, particularly those that leverage cutting-edge systems like robotics, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity frameworks, and advanced communications.
Record-Breaking Deals Across the Board
Epirus’ venture milestone follows last month’s news of Saronic, another major player in defense tech, securing a $600 million Series C round led by investor Elad Gil. With a valuation of $4 billion, the Austin-based startup creates autonomous surface vessels—essentially water-based drones for the U.S. Navy. These surface vehicles patrol and traverse the ocean, broadening the scope of unmanned operations at sea.
Such high-dollar funding rounds underscore a broader trend: investors are increasingly willing to pour large sums into ambitious defense tech startups. This enthusiasm is driven by a global context in which unmanned and remote systems, advanced sensors, AI-driven analytics, and disruptive energy weapons have become focal points of modern security strategies.
Why Defense Tech is Booming
Several factors are fueling the surge in defense tech investments:
- Evolving Threat Landscape
The rapid development of drone technology, cyber warfare, and space-based systems has introduced new vulnerabilities. Defense tech companies like Epirus aim to mitigate these risks. - Government Partnerships
Innovative startups enjoy robust support from government agencies, which seek flexible and quickly deployable solutions. Strategic investments from giants like General Dynamics reflect a push for rapid defense modernization. - Dual-Use Applications
Many defense innovations also have commercial or civilian spin-offs. This dual-use potential broadens the market, attracting both government contracts and private-sector deals. - Investor Optimism
Today’s venture capital climate values disruptive technologies, especially those offering large potential returns through government contracts, licensing agreements, or acquisitions by established defense contractors.
Epirus’ Microwave Technology Advantage
The core innovation at Epirus lies in its high-power microwave approach. HPM systems direct a concentrated beam of microwave energy toward targets, disabling electronics without necessarily resorting to conventional force. This capability has broad applications:
- Counter-Drone Measures: Swarms of drones pose severe risks to military bases, airports, and critical infrastructure. HPM pulses can neutralize these threats swiftly.
- Infrastructure Protection: From power grids to data centers, essential sites rely on electronic systems that could be compromised by malicious activity. Epirus’ technology can serve as a protective shield.
- Electronic Warfare: In battlefield scenarios, having the ability to disable or disrupt enemy communications and surveillance tools can tip the scales.
This technology appeals to defense agencies worldwide because it promises a tactical edge, especially in an era where threats continue to advance and adapt.
Epirus, Defense Tech & the Future
Epirus’ ambitious vision involves scaling both its engineering capacity and global market presence. By forging partnerships with agencies like the U.S. Department of Defense, the company stands at the forefront of next-gen defense tech. Its mission resonates with an industry that recognizes how pivotal early-stage innovation is in shaping future combat strategies.
The infusion of funds will likely accelerate research and development, enabling breakthroughs that could redefine how militaries and organizations respond to modern challenges. With satellites and space-based systems now under threat, Epirus’ allusion to space defense signals a broader push into safeguarding critical assets in orbit.
With Epirus’ mammoth Series D, the defense tech sector continues to prove its resilience and relevance. The combined forces of private venture capital, government partnerships, and tech-driven solutions are reshaping how nations and businesses approach security. As drone swarms, cyber threats, and emerging weapons systems gain momentum, high-power microwave technology offers a powerful deterrent.
By pairing ambitious R&D efforts with robust financial backing, Epirus is well-positioned to stand among the most influential players in defense tech. As we look to a future where space-based platforms and autonomous systems play a larger role, it’s clear the demand for innovative security solutions will only grow. Epirus’ story is one more chapter in the evolving book of defense technology—a story where big funding, cutting-edge inventions, and modern warfare demands intertwine to shape tomorrow’s battlefield.
