Applied Intuition Raises $600M to Expand Autonomous Vehicle Software into Defense Market

Applied Intuition, a leading provider of autonomous vehicle software, has just closed a $600 million Series F and tender offer, pushing its valuation up to $15 billion. The round was co-led by BlackRock-managed funds and Kleiner Perkins, with new investments from the Qatar Investment Authority, Abu Dhabi Investment Council, Greycroft, and more. Existing investors General Catalyst, Lux, Elad Gil, and Mary Meeker’s growth fund Bond also participated in the round. The company’s latest funding comes just one year after it completed a $250 million Series E, which put the company at a $6 billion valuation. Applied Intuition’s software helps companies and government agencies develop autonomous vehicle solutions, including simulation software and data management. “When they think like, ‘I have this software or AI problem,’ we generally want them to think about us,” CEO Qasar Younis told TechCrunch last year. “Like we want to be that first call.” Applied Intuition works with most of the major automakers, as well as autonomous vehicle companies such as Gatik and Kodiak. The company has also increasingly pushed into the defense space, with the U.S. Army asking for its help in bringing autonomous tech to some of its vehicles. In just 10 days, Applied Intuition was able to take an infantry squad vehicle from “bare bones” to autonomous, including developing a “pedal-pushing robot” to physically turn the wheel and press the throttle and brake pads. With this latest funding round, Applied Intuition is poised to continue its rapid growth and expansion into new markets and industries. The company’s innovative software and expertise in autonomous vehicle development make it a key player in the rapidly evolving field of autonomous technology.