Arkeus, a Melbourne, AU-based defense technology company developing AI-powered sensing systems for autonomous military platforms, has raised $18 million in Series A funding.
Investors
The round was led by QIC Ventures, with participation from R+VC, Folklore Ventures, DYNE Ventures, Main Sequence Ventures, Salus Ventures, and Beaten Zone.
QIC Ventures is the venture capital arm of Australia’s Queensland Investment Corporation (QIC), a government-owned institutional investment manager headquartered in Brisbane. With A$130 billion in assets under management, the firm invests on behalf of institutional clients, including Brighter Super, one of Queensland’s leading industry superannuation funds. QIC Ventures focuses on innovative Australian startups from pre-seed through Series C and growth stages. Since 2016, the firm has invested in more than 80 companies across sectors, including technology, aerospace, healthcare, and enterprise software.
Arkeus Use of Funds
The company will use the funding to accelerate global expansion, scale manufacturing capabilities, and further develop its AI-powered hyperspectral sensing systems for defense and autonomous operations.
About Arkeus
Arkeus is a defense technology company that builds AI-powered sensing systems designed to enhance autonomous military platforms operating in contested environments. Its core technology includes hyperspectral optical radar systems capable of detecting, classifying, and tracking objects across multiple domains in real time, even in degraded visual conditions. The company’s systems are already deployed with the U.S. Department of Defense and the Australian Department of Defence. Headquartered in Melbourne, Australia, it integrated with major drone manufacturers such as AeroVironment, Textron, Tekever, and Boeing subsidiary Insitu.
Funding Details
Company: Arkeus
Raised: $18.0M
Round: Series A
Funding Date: May 2026
Lead Investor: QIC Ventures
Additional Investors: R+VC, Folklore Ventures, DYNE Ventures, Main Sequence Ventures, Salus Ventures, Beaten Zone
Company Website: https://arkeus.com/
Software Category: Defense AI / Autonomous Sensing Systems
Source: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/arkeus-announces-18m-series-a-to-scale-ai-sensing-systems-for-autonomous-platforms-operating-in-contested-military-environments-302773282.html