Saildrone Funding News- Saildrone Closes $60Mn Fund to Bring Maritime Autonomy to Europe

The investment will speed up Saildrone’s expansion across Europe, focusing on maritime security and defence. As part of this growth, Saildrone will open its European headquarters and operations center in Copenhagen — a strategic hub for both NATO and the EU.

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Saildrone’s unmanned surface vehicles (USVs) are built for long missions and use smart sensors and AI to monitor ocean conditions above and below the surface. With rising threats in the Baltic, North Sea, and European Arctic, there's a growing need for constant awareness at sea — and Saildrone helps meet that need.These USVs can keep watch over important undersea infrastructure like energy pipelines and fibre-optic cables in real time.

“I am thrilled to partner with EIFO and the Danish government to establish Saildrone’s European headquarters in Copenhagen, Denmark,” said Richard Jenkins, Saildrone’s founder and CEO. “Denmark’s unique geographic and political position at the heart of northern Europe makes it the perfect place to establish our European headquarters and operational hub. Working initially with the Danish Armed Forces, we plan to roll out Saildrone’s maritime intelligence services to multiple NATO countries during the course of the year. Our goal is to provide 24/7, year-round coverage for all critical infrastructure within the Baltic and North Sea, safeguarding these highly valuable installations for current and future generations.”

Saildrone was founded in 2012 by British engineer Richard Jenkins in Alameda, California. Jenkins, a mechanical engineering graduate from Imperial College London, spent 10 years developing wind-powered vehicles — and in 2009, he broke the world land speed record by reaching 126.2 mph in Nevada. Inspired by the potential of his patented wing technology, he turned his focus to the ocean.

Saildrone now builds autonomous surface vehicles powered by wind and solar energy. These unmanned vehicles can collect high-resolution ocean data and patrol remote areas for over 12 months without refuelling. They offer a safe, low-cost, and eco-friendly way to support defence, security, and intelligence operations.

Equipped with advanced sensors and communication systems, Saildrone USVs help with tasks like detecting illegal fishing, enforcing borders, and protecting key infrastructure. They can even operate without GPS, using alternative navigation methods like acoustic, inertial, and celestial systems — a major advantage in areas where GPS signals are jammed or spoofed.

Saildrone’s autonomous vehicles have proven their effectiveness in extreme environments like the Arctic and Southern Ocean. For NATO allies such as Denmark, these platforms offer a powerful, cost-saving tool for boosting maritime awareness and readiness. Saildrone’s Voyager USVs can cut operational costs by up to 96% compared to traditional manned patrol vessels — while delivering equal or better coverage. This makes them both efficient and environmentally friendly, aligning with Denmark’s green goals and EIFO’s mission to support sustainable security innovations.

Saildrone’s deployment also supports the EU’s 2025 Action Plan for Subsea Cable Security and NATO’s Maritime Unmanned Systems Initiative. These programs call for advanced, AI-driven surveillance and stronger public-private collaboration to protect key European infrastructure. The real-time data from Saildrone’s USVs will contribute directly to these efforts, strengthening defence across the Baltic and North Sea region.

“We are thrilled to invest in Saildrone and that Denmark has been chosen as the centre for Saildrone’s European activities. Saildrone is a leading company in a rapidly growing market, and access to this technology can become critical for both Denmark’s and Europe’s security. We expect Saildrone will impact both the Danish defence industry and Danish challenges with surveillance in the Arctic and counteracting sabotage in Danish waters — at a fraction of the cost of a patrol ship,” said Peder Lundquist, CEO of EIFO.

Saildrone will launch its first four Voyager USVs in the Baltic Sea in June 2025 under a contract with the Danish Armed Forces. By 2026, the company aims to expand to over 50 USVs across NATO countries, supporting missions such as anti-submarine warfare and counter-drone operations.

As hybrid threats grow more complex, Saildrone’s always-on, AI-powered surveillance offers a new approach to maritime security. It helps protect Europe’s vital infrastructure while promoting sustainable and innovative defence solutions.

About Saildrone

Saildrone based in Alameda, California, has raised significant funding to grow and innovate. In 2025 the company secured $60 million bringing its total funding to $325 million. This new investment will help launch an AI-powered maritime security hub in Europe. Earlier, in 2021, Saildrone raised $100 million in a Series C round to develop its ocean intelligence tools.