This week saw a heavy concentration of venture capital flowing into U.S. startups focused on physical-world applications. Leading the pack was defense tech unicorn Anduril Industries with a staggering $5 billion financing. Other significant rounds were closed by companies specializing in data center power, robotics, space infrastructure, biotech, and automated farming.
1. Anduril Industries ($5B, Defense Tech): The defense technology powerhouse raised $5 billion in Series H funding at a $61 billion valuation—effectively doubling its $30.5 billion valuation from less than a year ago. The round, led by Andreessen Horowitz and Thrive Capital, brings Anduril’s total funding to $11.4 billion to date.
2. VoltaGrid ($775M, Energy): Based in Houston, VoltaGrid provides mobile natural gas generators tailored for data centers, microgrids, and industrial use. It secured a $1 billion strategic investment from Halliburton and Blackstone, consisting of $775 million in new capital and a $225 million secondary purchase.
3. Mind Robotics ($400M, Robotics): A developer of AI-enabled industrial robotics platforms, Mind Robotics secured $400 million led by Kleiner Perkins. Spun out of Rivian in 2025, the startup has now raised over $1 billion in total capital.
4. Cowboy Space ($275M, Space Tech): Founded by Robinhood co-founder Baiju Bhatt, Cowboy Space focuses on rocket and satellite infrastructure designed to power AI compute in space. Its Series B round, led by Index Ventures, valued the company at $2 billion.
5. Oishii ($150M, Indoor Farming): Utilizing high-level automation to grow strawberries, Oishii raised $150 million in Series C funding led by SPARX Asset Management, bringing its total funding to $370 million.
6. Exaforce ($125M, Cybersecurity): This San Jose-based startup is building an AI-native security operations platform. It secured Series B funding from a high-profile group including HarbourVest, Peak XV, Mayfield, and Khosla Ventures.
7. Create Medicines ($122M, Biotech): Focused on in vivo immunotherapies for autoimmune diseases and cancer, the startup closed a $122 million Series B led by Newpath Partners, ARCH Venture Partners, and Hatteras Venture Partners.
8. HavocAI ($100M, Autonomy): Rhode Island-based HavocAI, specializing in autonomous systems, rounded out the week's major deals with a $100 million financing round.
