Saronic, an Austin-based defense startup, has raised $1.75 billion in a Series D funding round led by Kleiner Perkins. This investment more than doubled Saronic's valuation to $9.25 billion from $4 billion following a previous $600 million raise last year. The company plans to leverage this capital to expand its supply chain and shipbuilding capacity, aiming to produce over 20 autonomous surface vessels annually by 2027 at its new Texas shipyard, Port Alpha.

Summary of transaction details:

• Deal Type: Series D
• Transaction Amount: $1,750,000,000
• Valuation: $9,250,000,000
• Headquarters: Austin, Texas
• Founder: Dino Mavrookas
• Notable Investors: Kleiner Perkins, Advent International, Bessemer Venture Partners, DFJ Growth, BAM Elevate, 8VC, Caffeinated Capital, Andreessen Horowitz, Franklin Resources, Inc. & Elad Gil

Founded in 2022, Saronic focuses on developing AI-powered military systems and is scaling its manufacturing capabilities following the acquisition of a Louisiana shipyard. The influx of investor interest highlights the growing demand in the defense sector for advanced technology solutions, supporting the company's strategic initiatives to enhance operational capacity.