Applied Intuition raises $600M to expand autonomous vehicle and defense software
Applied Intuition, a rising force in autonomous vehicle software, has closed a massive $600 million Series F funding round and tender offer, catapulting its valuation to $15 billion. The company, known for its advanced simulation and data management tools for autonomous systems, continues to cement its position as a cornerstone of the self-driving tech ecosystem.
Major Backing from Global Investors
The round was co-led by BlackRock-managed funds and Kleiner Perkins, with significant participation from heavyweight new investors including the Qatar Investment Authority, Abu Dhabi Investment Council, and Greycroft. Existing backers such as General Catalyst, Lux Capital, Elad Gil, and Bond, the growth fund founded by Mary Meeker, also doubled down on their investments.
This new funding comes just a year after Applied Intuition’s $250 million Series E, which valued the company at $6 billion. The rapid leap to $15 billion signals strong investor confidence in the company’s potential to lead the evolution of autonomous systems across industries.
Powering Autonomy Across Automotive and Defense
Founded to provide simulation and development tools for autonomous vehicle companies, Applied Intuition now partners with most major automakers and high-profile startups like Gatik and Kodiak. Its platform is essential for companies and agencies tackling complex software and AI challenges in autonomy.
“When they think like, ‘I have this software or AI problem,’ we generally want them to think about us,” CEO Qasar Younis told TechCrunch in 2023. “We want to be that first call.”
A Fast Track Into Defense
Beyond commercial applications, Applied Intuition is making a bold push into defense. In a recent announcement, the company revealed it was tapped by the U.S. Army to help retrofit vehicles with autonomous technology. In just 10 days, the team transformed a bare-bones infantry squad vehicle into a functioning autonomous system—complete with a custom-built robot to control the wheel, throttle, and brakes.
What’s Next?
With fresh capital and a rapidly growing valuation, Applied Intuition is poised to scale its platform across sectors—from self-driving cars to military-grade autonomous systems. The company’s dual-focus strategy on commercial and defense applications could make it one of the most influential players in the AI and robotics revolution.
This funding round not only underscores the maturity of the autonomous software market but also signals that Applied Intuition is no longer a startup to watch—it’s a leader to follow.
