AI defence start-up raises $12 million funding boost

A tech company developing artificial intelligence-driven solutions to connect defence systems has secured more than $12 million in funding.

Arondite raised $10 million in a seed round led by Index Ventures, with additional backing from Concept Ventures and Creator Fund, to help scale its hardware-agnostic technology.

Bosses say the apparatus will transform fields such as minefield clearance and counter-intrusion operations.

Founded by former British Army Officer Will Blyth alongside Rob Underhill, who was a lead engineer at BAE Systems before becoming the founding engineer at Garrison Technology, Arondite’s software enables human operators to manage multiple autonomous systems, such as drones and robots, through one interface, enhancing safety and operational control. 

Will said: “During my military career, having the right information at the right time was often a matter of life or death. 

“Defence systems that don’t talk to each other make operations far more dangerous. 

“My vision for Arondite was to create the software and artificial intelligence tools to connect up defence hardware and give people working on the front lines the information, oversight and understanding they need to make use of machines without compromising safety and control.

“Defence organisations, governments and industry are increasingly relying on blends of autonomous systems. 

“But current approaches to leveraging these complex webs of hardware and data aren’t keeping pace. 

“We need to offer teams new, scalable ways to work with machines. 

“That’s the role we believe we can play in UK and European defence and security going forward.”

Hannah Seal, partner at Index Ventures, added: “We’re thrilled to support Will and Rob on their journey to enable true human-machine teaming in the autonomous age. 

“With their rare combination of real-world experience, technical expertise and start-up acumen, they are uniquely equipped to change how people interact with robots while ensuring they safely retain control over critical decisions.”

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