Defense startup Saronic has secured a $600 million Series C funding round to build “Port Alpha,” a next-generation shipyard focused on producing unmanned and autonomous vessels. The company, which is valued at $4 billion, aims to create a new fleet of autonomous vessels that redefine maritime superiority and guarantee freedom of the seas for generations to come.
Led by entrepreneur and investor Elad Gil, Saronic’s funding round was announced today with CEO Dino Mavrookas stating that “Port Alpha” will generate opportunities for the US shipbuilding workforce, forge public-private partnerships, and bring innovation and ingenuity to the industry. The company plans to work with federal and state governments to determine the best location for the new project.
Finding skilled workers to build ships has been a top issue for both the US Navy and the defense industrial base in recent years. Saronic aims to overcome this challenge by “changing the culture” around shipbuilding, attracting talent from Silicon Valley and other industries with a training pipeline and recruitment programs.
The company’s new shipyard project is aligned with the Pentagon’s Replicator initiative, which aims to mass-produce expendable drones. Saronic has also acquired a production facility in Austin, Texas, which will be fully operational by the end of this year. The funding round effectively quadruples the company’s valuation and marks the next step for Saronic in its ambitious plans to build a fleet of autonomous vessels.
Source: https://breakingdefense.com/2025/02/startup-saronic-to-build-port-alpha-next-gen-shipyard-focused-on-autonomous-vessels