Stark Valued at $500M after $62M in Fresh Funding Led by Sequoia Capital
German unmanned weapons systems startup Stark has raised $62 million in fresh funding led by Sequoia Capital, boosting its valuation to $500 million. The latest round has drawn interest from 8VC, Thiel Capital, the NATO Innovation Fund, In-Q-Tel (the CIA’s venture arm), Project A, and Döpfner Capital.
The latest raise brings its total funding to $100 million, with early backing from Peter Thiel and Sequoia.
Sequoia first invested $15 million in Stark in late 2023 at a valuation of around $97 million. Since then, it has attracted nearly $100 million in capital, reflecting surging investor interest in defence technologies.
Building Next-Gen AI-Powered Weaponised Drones
Founded in 2024 by Florian Seibel and Johannes Schaback, with the former being the co-founder of autonomous drone company Quantum Systems, Stark focuses on building weaponised drones.
The company’s primary focus is on developing loitering munitions, drones capable of hovering before striking targets with precision. Beyond hardware, the company is also building AI-powered command-and-control systems for coordinated battlefield operations. It is suggested by reports that the company is eyeing expansion into additional land, air, and sea platforms, positioning itself as a versatile defence technology provider.
As a part of its expansion, the acquired Berlin-based Pleno, a startup developing autonomous navigation software, to enhance swarming capabilities. In July, Stark announced its expansion to the UK, establishing a new drone production facility in Swindon, positioning itself in a rapidly growing defence tech market.
Growing Investments in Defence Tech
This wave of investor enthusiasm is closely tied to Europe’s defence rearmament. Following Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine and amid shifting US military commitments, Germany plans to boost its annual defence budget to €162 billion by 2029. This budget expansion is expected to drive procurement of advanced systems, creating fertile ground for European drone makers like Stark and domestic competitor Helsing.
Future Outlook
Stark’s latest funding round cements its position as a leading player in Europe’s rapidly evolving defence tech landscape. Backed by top-tier investors and driven by soaring defence budgets, the startup is well-positioned for rapid growth and innovation. Yet, as Stark scales its AI-powered, weaponised drone systems, navigating the complex ethical, regulatory, and accountability challenges will be critical to its long-term success.
Source: Tech Funding News
