Blue Water Autonomy, a Boston-based startup focused on developing large-scale autonomous naval vessels, has officially emerged from stealth mode. The company announced it has secured $14 million in seed funding from prominent investors including Eclipse VC, Riot, and Impatient Ventures to further advance its technological development and testing operations.
Founded in 2024, Blue Water Autonomy leverages the expertise of an accomplished team consisting of former members of the U.S. Navy, as well as executives previously associated with Amazon Robotics and iRobot. Within just one year, the company states it has successfully assembled a comprehensive autonomy technology stack and completed initial conceptual designs for its line of captain-less maritime vessels.
The startup is part of a rapidly expanding group of defense-focused ventures, driven by record-breaking investments into defense technology in recent years. Notable examples include the significant investments received by defense-tech companies like Anduril, which secured a landmark $1.5 billion Series F funding round, and fellow autonomous maritime startup Saronic with a $175 million Series B raise.
Blue Water Autonomy is currently conducting open-water trials of a 100-ton autonomous test vessel off the coast near Boston. The latest capital infusion will enable the company to grow its engineering workforce and intensify the pace of testing and development, accelerating its readiness to deliver advanced autonomous naval technologies.
Eclipse VC’s Seth Winterroth praised the startup, highlighting that Blue Water Autonomy uniquely approaches autonomous maritime technology at the ship-design level, combining robotics expertise with military experience. This dual capability positions the company as a potentially pivotal partner not only for the Navy and the wider Department of Defense but across the entire maritime industry.
