Tekever raises $580 million Series D first close at $6.4 billion valuation

Tekever, the European developer of AI-powered autonomous systems, said on Wednesday it had raised $580 million in the first close of a Series D funding round led by UC Investments and Baillie Gifford, valuing the company at $6.4 billion.

The round marks UC Investments’ first direct investment in Europe, with Merlyn Advisors joining as a new strategic investor alongside continued backing from existing shareholders Crescent Cove, Ventura Capital and Iberis Capital.

Tekever said it would use the funding to expand internationally, increase its manufacturing and technology capabilities, pursue acquisitions and accelerate development of AI-powered autonomous systems.

The fundraising comes weeks after Britain’s Ministry of Defence selected the company to provide its CORVUS surveillance system under a programme worth up to £400 million — about $532 million — over the next decade.

“Artificial intelligence, autonomy and sovereign technological capability will be fundamental to the security and resilience of democratic societies in the decades ahead,” founder and chief executive Ricardo Mendes said in a statement. “This investment gives us the resources to move faster, scale further and continue building a global technology leader from Europe.”

The $6.4 billion valuation is a sharp rise on the $1.32 billion valuation recorded after Tekever’s May 2025 raise, according to PitchBook data, with the company having now raised more than $1.25 billion in outside funding.

Sources

• Reuters (23 Sept 2026): “AI drone maker Tekever valued at $6.4 billion after $580 million funding round” — $580m first close, UC Investments and Baillie Gifford lead, $6.4bn valuation, use of funds, CORVUS £400m ($532m) programme, ($1 = 0.7523 pounds). Reporting by Maria Rugamer, editing by Milla Nissi-Prussak: https://www.reuters.com/business/ai-drone-maker-tekever-valued-64-billion-after-580-million-funding-round-2026-09-23/
• Tech.eu (23 Sept 2026): “TEKEVER raises $580M Series D at $6.4B valuation” — first close of $580m Series D at $6.4bn valuation; UC Investments and Baillie Gifford led; UC Investments’ first direct investment in Europe; Merlyn Advisors new strategic investor; continued investment from Crescent Cove, Ventura Capital, Iberis Capital; CORVUS programme worth up to £400m over ten years: https://tech.eu/2026/09/23/tekever-raises-580m-series-d-at-6-4b-valuation/
• Resilience Media (23 Sept 2026): “Tekever raises $580M at a $6.8B valuation to give flight to more drones” — $1.32bn valuation after May 2025 raise; more than $1.25bn raised in outside funding (PitchBook data): https://resiliencemedia.co/tekever-raises-580m-at-a-6-8b-valuation-to-give-flight-to-more-drones/
• Company statement (quoted in multiple outlets, incl. europesays.com and impactnews-wire.com): Ricardo Mendes quote on AI, autonomy and sovereign technological capability.