Applied Intuition, an emerging leader in AI-driven autonomous vehicle software, announced today that it has secured $600 million in a Series F funding round, driving its valuation to an impressive $15 billion.
The funding round was spearheaded jointly by BlackRock-managed funds and Kleiner Perkins, attracting significant participation from major investment entities like the Qatar Investment Authority, Abu Dhabi Investment Council, and Greycroft. Notably, a number of existing backers—including General Catalyst, Lux Capital, Elad Gil, and Mary Meeker’s growth fund, Bond—also reaffirmed their support through continued investment.
Just one year ago, Applied Intuition closed a $250 million Series E, valuing the company at roughly $6 billion at that time. This latest capital influx underscores the firm’s swift ascent and the market confidence in its robust technological solutions.
The company’s software platform offers state-of-the-art capabilities for simulating autonomous driving environments and managing intricate data sets, serving various stakeholders, from automotive giants to government agencies. Applied Intuition has firmly established itself across the automotive industry, partnering with major automakers and autonomous technology startups such as Gatik and Kodiak.
Of particular note is the company’s strategic expansion into the defense sector. Recently, Applied Intuition stated in a newsletter update that the U.S. Army had engaged the firm to help integrate autonomous driving technology into military transport vehicles. In an impressive demonstration of its agility, the company successfully developed an autonomous infantry squad vehicle within a mere ten days, utilizing innovative solutions such as a physical robot that could operate steering, throttle, and brakes.
Applied Intuition’s CEO, Qasar Younis, has frequently emphasized the firm’s ambition to become the go-to provider when organizations face complex AI or software challenges, aiming to be “the first call” in these scenarios. This latest funding round provides substantial backing for the company’s continuing growth and its expanding footprint in commercial and defense markets alike.
