Blue Water Autonomy, a Boston-based shipbuilding technology company, reports that it has raised $50 million in a Series A funding round led by GV, with participation from Eclipse, Riot and Impatient Ventures. The company has now secured a total of $64m since its founding in 2024.
The new funding will be used to build and deploy Blue Water’s first full-sized long-range autonomous ship in 2026. The vessel will be designed to operate for months at sea.
Since its $14m seed round in April, the company notes that it has quadrupled its team, completed engineering tests, and begun securing long-lead materials from more than 50 suppliers.
“There is an urgent need for autonomous ships designed specifically for maritime security and logistics. This funding gives our team the resources to build long-range autonomous ships from the keel up that will operate on the open ocean for months at a time,” said CEO Rylan Hamilton.
“Blue Water Autonomy is laser-focused on perfecting a single platform class. This intentional strategy ensures unmatched quality, speed to market, and reliability from day one.”
Blue Water is targeting medium-sized unmanned surface vessels in line with US Department of Defense priorities, with Pentagon funding allocated for autonomous ship development. The company notes that it has recently opened a Washington D.C. office and expanded its team to include Navy veterans and shipbuilders with experience delivering more than 30 vessels to the US fleet.
GV Managing Partner Dave Munichiello will join the company’s board of directors as part of the deal.
