Latest news with #defenseTech
Geek Wire
09-07-2025
- Business
- Geek Wire
Military tech giant Anduril lands in Bellevue, doubling footprint in Seattle region
(Anduril Photo) Anduril is expanding in the Seattle area with a new office in Bellevue, Wash. The defense tech giant leased 39,851 square feet at Skyline Tower through a sublease with Meta, according to a recent report from Broderick Group. A spokesperson with Anduril confirmed that the company is taking one floor, and is keeping its existing office in Seattle that opened in 2020. Anduril has about 375 employees in the Seattle region. The company, based in Southern California, just raised $2.5 billion to fuel development of its AI-powered hardware and software for military applications. It also recently partnered with Meta on a VR/AR project for the U.S. Army. Anduril is among more than 100 companies that have satellite offices in the Seattle region, tapping into the area's robust tech talent pool. Several other companies have opened new offices in Bellevue recently, including OpenAI, Shopify, Snowflake, and Zoom. Bellevue's Central Business District has a commercial office vacancy rate of 17%, according to Broderick — flat compared to last year, and up from 3.3% in 2019.
TechCrunch
09-07-2025
- Business
- TechCrunch
European VC breaks taboo by investing in pure defense tech from Ukraine's war zones
Defense tech has gone from a no-go zone for VCs to a hot investment sector. However, dual use — meaning that the technology must also have civilian applications — is still a requirement for most of them, including the NATO Innovation Fund. Estonian VC firm Darkstar breaks from this trend by sometimes investing in purely military applications, with the goal of helping rearm Europe using combat-proven solutions emerging from Ukraine. 'This is very critical, not only today but for the next 10 years,' said its cofounder and general partner Ragnar Sass (second from the left in the picture). The firm takes a hands-on approach to this mission, helping startups bring products to military customers both in Ukraine and throughout Europe. For Ukrainian teams, this means not just funding but also support with setting up compliant entities in NATO countries like Estonia. 'In any company which wants to be part of European procurement or even grants, the operational side has to be perfect,' Sass said. With a fundraising target of €25 million (approximately $29.2 million) in the next six to 12 months, Darkstar intends to focus on pre-seed and seed rounds, with a usual check size of €500k to €1 million. It has already made two investments: in Ukrainian-Estonian startups FarSight Vision, which specializes in geospatial analytics and 3D mapping for drone pilots, and Deftak, which develops ammunition for drones. For Sass, investing in weapons wasn't an obvious move. A key figure in the Estonian startup ecosystem ever since Skype's founders funded his first startup, a community for pet owners, he went on to co-found CRM and sales tool Pipedrive, and used the proceeds of that unicorn-sized exit to make more than 50 angel investments. Some of these investments became unicorns, too, including Veriff. But none of them were in defense, even after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022 prompted Sass to deliver trucks and aid to Ukraine, to which he has personal and business ties. 'It took quite a long time mentally to understand that I want to be involved in weapon systems,' Sass said. He eventually made his choice a year and a half ago when Estonian drone startup Krattworks became his first defense investment. Techcrunch event Save up to $475 on your TechCrunch All Stage pass Build smarter. Scale faster. Connect deeper. Join visionaries from Precursor Ventures, NEA, Index Ventures, Underscore VC, and beyond for a day packed with strategies, workshops, and meaningful connections. Save $450 on your TechCrunch All Stage pass Build smarter. Scale faster. Connect deeper. Join visionaries from Precursor Ventures, NEA, Index Ventures, Underscore VC, and beyond for a day packed with strategies, workshops, and meaningful connections. Boston, MA | REGISTER NOW Krattworks marked a turning point for Sass; it was also his last investment as an angel investor. Sass is now putting his money into Darkstar, which started out as a coalition organizing hackathons and bootcamps, leveraging his decade-long experience at hackathon community Garage48 between 2010 and 2020. Since then, Sass went on to fund and sell another company, Salto X, although it is unclear whether he made money from that exit. Sass isn't the only one backing this approach. Darkstar just completed a first close of €15 million (approximately $17.5 million) backed by European entrepreneurs, family offices, and Estonian state-backed LP SmartCap, TechCrunch learned exclusively. Backing a fund like Darkstar makes SmartCap an exception as well, alongside Lithuania's sovereign VC fund Coinvest Capital, which became authorized to make defense investments without requiring civilian use cases in 2023. It's no coincidence that all of these come from the Baltics. Russia's proximity and the Soviet Union's former occupation give Estonians like Sass a sense of urgency that is now spreading across Europe as investors recognize the importance of defense. 'But if you don't have real know-how in that area, you're struggling,' Sass said. For Darkstar, building that know-how meant talking to end users from day one. In Darkstar's case, the end users are Ukraine's brigades. While some changes are being implemented, the country has adopted a decentralized approach, enabling combat units to make their own decisions. This can be hard to navigate for outsiders, but Sass got a head start. 'In the last three and a half years, I have been to Ukraine 20-plus times, and I have personally met 100-plus unit commanders — spent time with them, talked with them, learned from them,' said the entrepreneur, who also found a lot of common ground. 'Elite units are more similar to startups than we can imagine.' Although cheap first-person view (FPV) drones have been used to destroy equipment worth millions, Sass says that it would be a huge mistake to think that tech developments from Ukraine are easily copyable. There's sophistication — 'most elite drone battalions in Ukraine have their own R&D' — and there is velocity on both sides of the frontline. For instance, fiber-optic drones have been a game changer. For startups outside of Ukraine, it means that a solution that works on paper could become pointless, and that's where Darkstar's bootcamps are meant to help. The next one will take place this summer in Kyiv, and according to its website, will give companies 'feedback, field-testing opportunities and combat validation.' Some of Darkstar's deal flow will come from its bootcamps, where staff work hands-on with teams for five days. But the pipeline is broader, and Ukraine's 2,000 eligible teams stand out. 'Many of the Ukrainian companies we are looking at are not six months old; they have been around two-plus years and they have already managed to build a product and company with minimum capital.' General mobilization of Ukrainian men isn't as big an obstacle as often assumed. Founders building effective combat products can receive exemptions and travel approval, and a significant percentage of Ukraine's defense startup founders are women, including FarSight Vision CEO, Viktoriia Yaremchuk, Sass said. As for the restriction on defense tech exports out of Ukraine, that hurdle is in the process of being removed. Darkstar GPs Kaspar Gering, Philip Jungen and Ragnar Sass with Farsight Vision CEO Viktoriia Yaremchuk Image Credits:Darkstar Sass is applying a similar location philosophy to defense investing. Just as he once argued that 'early-stage Nordic startups should cut the crap and move to Silicon Valley,' Darkstar won't invest in companies that intend to stay based exclusively in Ukraine. It is also talking to teams based in Central and Eastern Europe, Latvia, the U.K. and Germany, among others. 'After a year or two, this [portfolio] will be a way more diverse and mixed group.' In alignment with this goal, Darkstar describes itself as pan-European in background. Sass is joined by Estonia-based GPs Kaspar Gering, who spent a decade at Wise in engineering and data science roles, and Mart Noorma, director of the NATO Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence (on the left in the main picture). A fourth GP, Philip Jungen, is based in Germany, with another partner and additional staffers in Ukraine. As for categories, Darkstar plans to invest in autonomous systems, air defense, electromagnetic warfare, communications, cybersecurity, sensors, as well as surveillance and intelligence, both with single and dual uses. According to Sass, some of these could turn into acquisition targets for cash-rich prime contractors struggling to deliver the rapid solutions that NATO countries are now willing to buy from them. But fueled by governments coming to terms with how the war in Ukraine has transformed modern warfare, other startups could also reach hundreds of million in revenue on their own and even go public. It is unclear whether defense startups, particularly those without civilian applications, can achieve breakout success on their own. However, the rapid rise and valuation of companies like Anduril and Helsing along with a wave of new defense-focused funds, suggests that the prospect of venture-scale returns is being taken more seriously. Either way, what keeps Sass going is something bigger. Though he embraces the humor of NAFO, a global online movement leveraging memes to support Ukraine, Sass also delivers a sober warning about Russia's relentless war economy. 'The enemy is moving very fast, and that's exactly why I believe that we need to have the tech community being involved way more to address that huge and growing threat.'
Yahoo
08-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Why BigBear.ai Stock Skyrocketed 63.2% Last Month, and Has Kept Surging in July
Bullish momentum for the broader market and excitement surrounding defense artificial intelligence (AI) technologies powered huge gains for stock in June. also announced new partnerships and deployments for its biometric-identification systems at major airports. stock has continued to move higher in July's trading, and one investment firm sees the stock reaching $9 per share. 10 stocks we like better than › (NYSE: BBAI) enjoyed a huge rally across June's trading as investors became increasingly bullish on growth-dependent tech plays. The company's share price rose 63.2% in the month amid a gain of 5% for the S&P 500 (SNPINDEX: ^GSPC) and a gain of 6.6% for the Nasdaq Composite (NASDAQINDEX: ^IXIC), according to data from S&P Global Market Intelligence. stock surged in June as macroeconomic indicators aligned to support a bullish rally for the market and investors poured into defense-focused artificial intelligence (AI) stocks. The company's share price also got a big boost from positive analyst coverage. Investors bid up growth stocks last month, as comments from key Federal Reserve officials increasingly pointed to the possibility that the central bank will cut interest rates in July. Economic data along some key fronts suggested the Fed may be gearing up to deliver more rate cuts than previously anticipated this year, and some lessening of geopolitical tensions in the Middle East also helped support a rally for the broader market that added to gains for stock. There were also some business-specific developments that helped support gains in the software specialist's valuation last month. The company announced new partnerships with Easy Lease PJSC and Vigilix Technology to accelerate the development and deployment of AI-based technologies, and a partnership with machine-vision specialist Analogic for threat detection at airports. also announced that biometric identification stations from its Pangiam division had been deployed at major international airports. Despite some volatility, stock has continued to see strong gains in July. As of this writing, the company's share price has risen 15.5% in the month and has benefited from positive analyst coverage and ongoing excitement surrounding defense AI opportunities. In new coverage published July 1, H.C. Wainwright maintained a buy rating on and raised its one-year price target on the stock from $6 to $9 per share. The investment firm's analysts expect that winning new customers and landing expanded deals with clients already using its services will pave the way for the stock's rally to continue. As of this writing, hitting H.C. Wainwright's target of $9 per share would mean additional stock price gains of roughly 15%. Following recent gains, stock is now up roughly 73% across 2025's trading -- but it's also still down 21% from its peak across the stretch. While the company's valuation has been surging and business performance is expected to pick up in this year's second half, speculative excitement has played a significant role in powering the run-up for the stock. still has big upside potential if the business effectively capitalizes on rising demand for AI-powered defense software, but the company also still has a lot of proving to do. Before you buy stock in consider this: The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the for investors to buy now… and wasn't one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years. Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $695,481!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $969,935!* Now, it's worth noting Stock Advisor's total average return is 1,053% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 179% for the S&P 500. Don't miss out on the latest top 10 list, available when you join . See the 10 stocks » *Stock Advisor returns as of July 7, 2025 Keith Noonan has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Why Stock Skyrocketed 63.2% Last Month, and Has Kept Surging in July was originally published by The Motley Fool
Yahoo
04-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Can AeroVironment Stock Hit $301 in 2025?
As global tensions rise and battlefields go unmanned, defense tech is the new arms race. Drones are now mission-critical — not just in warfare, but in industries chasing speed, precision, and efficiency. The commercial drone market spans logistics, agriculture, oil, gas, and infrastructure, and is expected to reach a value of $355.55 billion by 2032. Now, with new executive orders signed by President Donald Trump to boost U.S. drone production and airspace security, the stage is set for a domestic surge. AeroVironment (AVAV) is riding the wave with precision. Known for its lethal-yet-lightweight drones like the Switchblade and Puma systems, the defense tech company has become an essential kit for modern militaries navigating volatile flashpoints. These battlefield-tested platforms have already proved their mettle in Ukraine, where low-cost drone warfare is reshaping military strategy. 'It's a Miracle': Nvidia CEO Says Their New Technology Takes 'AI Supercomputing to a Whole New Level' AI Isn't Just About Nvidia: 2 Rising Stars in the Artificial Intelligence Race UnitedHealth Stock Is One of the Worst-Performing S&P 500 Stocks in 2025. Should You Buy the Dip? Our exclusive Barchart Brief newsletter is your FREE midday guide to what's moving stocks, sectors, and investor sentiment - delivered right when you need the info most. Subscribe today! That real-world validation has analysts bullish. Goldman Sachs analyst Anthony Valentini just initiated coverage on AVAV stock with a Street-high $301 price target. After a blazing rally amid stellar Q4 earnings and guidance, can AVAV soar even higher and hit Goldman Sachs' bullseye? Founded in 1971 with roots in human-powered and solar aircraft, AeroVironment has transformed into a powerhouse in unmanned aerial systems and next-gen defense tech. The company is now best-known for its battlefield-ready drones, which have become staples in modern military operations. As the world shifts toward automated warfare and drone-led intelligence, AeroVironment flies at the heart of it all. Wall Street has taken notice. With a market capitalization nearing $7 billion, AVAV stock has surged 60% year-to-date (YTD). Its recent run is even more stunning, up more than 128% in the past three months and 32% in just the past month as investors race to price in its strategic relevance in a rapidly evolving global defense landscape. AeroVironment delivered stellar fiscal Q4 results on June 24, reinforcing why the bulls are locked in. The company posted a 40% year-over-year (YOY) revenue surge to $275.1 million, crushing expectations. Earnings almost quadrupled to $1.61 per share from last year's $0.43 per-share profit, far ahead of the $1.44 consensus. The rally was not carried by one wing, either. Loitering Munitions segment revenue soared 87% during the quarter, MacCready Works revenue rose 24%, and Uncrewed Systems revenue advanced 9%. Momentum didn't stop at the quarter's close. Fiscal 2025 closed with record bookings of $1.2 billion and an order backlog of $726.6 million, up a massive 81.6% YOY, signaling deep demand and high visibility. Despite a modest $1.3 million operating cash outflow, the company's financials remain combat-ready, with $40.9 million in cash and long-term debt capped at just $30 million. From battlefield dominance to balance sheet discipline, the defense tech company is proving it can lead both in the air and on the books. But it was the forward view that turned heads. AeroVironment's fiscal 2026 guidance calls for revenue between $1.9 billion and $2 billion, with EPS between $2.80 and $3.00, driven in part by its BlueHalo acquisition. With geopolitical tensions rising and the U.S. entering a new phase of defense modernization, AeroVironment is not only participating in the shift but helping lead the charge. Meanwhile, analysts tracking the company anticipate fiscal 2026 EPS to dip 10.7% YOY to $2.93, before surging 44% to $4.23 in fiscal 2027. Brokerage firms responded quickly after the Q4 report. William Blair kept its 'Outperform' rating on AVAV stock, citing reduced Ukraine risk and strong growth visibility. Raymond James bumped its price target to $225, citing a robust fiscal 2025 finish and the BlueHalo acquisition's strategic edge. Stifel echoed the optimism, reaffirming a 'Buy" rating. BTIG made a splash among analysts, raising its target to $300, betting on drone warfare's rising relevance. But it was Goldman Sachs that delivered the boldest vote of confidence, initiating coverage with a 'Buy' rating and $301 target. Goldman Sachs is not just chasing short-term momentum — it's betting big on AVAV's staying power. Goldman Sachs views the war in Ukraine as a turning point, with AeroVironment's Switchblade and Puma systems becoming real-world proof that low-cost, high-impact tech can shift military doctrine. With the U.S. Department of Defense ramping up contracts and allies boosting their budgets, Goldman expects AeroVironment to ride operating leverage into 'higher profitability and cash generation." Analysts have deemed AVAV stock to be a 'Strong Buy' overall. Out of eight analysts covering the stock, seven recommend a 'Strong Buy' while one offers a 'Moderate Buy' rating. The mean target price has already been surpassed, a testament to AVAV stock's recent rally. However, Goldman Sachs' Street-high target of $301 suggests that shares can rise 22% from current levels. On the date of publication, Sristi Suman Jayaswal did not have (either directly or indirectly) positions in any of the securities mentioned in this article. All information and data in this article is solely for informational purposes. This article was originally published on
Globe and Mail
30-06-2025
- Business
- Globe and Mail
Why BigBear.ai Stock Is Skyrocketing Today
(NYSE: BBAI) stock is seeing another day of explosive gains in Monday's trading. The software specialist company's share price was up 20% as of 2:15 p.m. ET. Meanwhile, the S&P 500 (SNPINDEX: ^GSPC) and Nasdaq Composite (NASDAQINDEX: ^IXIC) were both up 1% during that time frame. BigBear's valuation is surging higher today thanks to excitement surrounding defense technology stocks. The company's share price is now up 83% over the last month. stock surges on continued defense tech rally stock is continuing to rally in conjunction with rising excitement surrounding technology companies with substantial exposure to the defense industry. The last major business-specific news for the company arrived on June 17, when announced that multiple biometric identification systems from its Pangiam unit had been deployed in major international airports. Given that this announcement corresponded with relatively little movement for the stock, recent gains appear to be mostly driven by the broader increase in bullish momentum for defense-tech plays. What's next for stock has been highly volatile over the last year. While the company certainly has some substantial opportunities to score wins as defense-tech spending continues to rise, its business performance has also been somewhat uneven. For example, the company's revenue grew just 5% year over year in the first quarter despite the strong demand backdrop for artificial intelligence (AI) software. Additionally, it appears that some of the company's recent gains have been driven by meme-stock momentum. Based on publicly available knowledge, recent gains seem somewhat out of step with its recent valuation run-up. While it's possible that there are some big things in the works behind the scenes that are helping to push its valuation higher, huge gains for the stock on relatively little news also mean that the risk profile here has gone up substantially again. Should you invest $1,000 in right now? Before you buy stock in consider this: The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and wasn't one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years. Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $713,547!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $966,931!* Now, it's worth noting Stock Advisor 's total average return is1,062% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to177%for the S&P 500. Don't miss out on the latest top 10 list, available when you join Stock Advisor. See the 10 stocks » *Stock Advisor returns as of June 30, 2025
