About Aerospace, Maritime and Defense Tech sector in United Kingdom
The Aerospace, Maritime and Defense Tech sector in United Kingdom comprises 1.56K companies, including 323 funded companies having collectively raised $15.5B in venture capital money and private equity. Out of these, 178 are Series A+ funded, and 3 have achieved unicorn status.
Aerospace, Maritime and Defense Tech sector in United Kingdom has seen 113 acquisitions and 15 IPOs. This represents almost 8.2% of all such companies - which is higher than the 4.3% exit rate of tech companies in general.
This sector includes companies engaged in the technology-enabled manufacturing, sales, and management of aircraft, spacecraft, ships, and defense equipment.
Aerospace, Maritime and Defense Tech sector is also known as Aerospace & Defense Tech, Aerospace or Maritime and Defence Tech.
It includes companies manufacturing advanced aircraft, spacecraft, ships and military equipment. It also includes companies that provide software solutions to aircraft, spacecraft, ship manufacturers and sellers as well as to the defense industry. It also includes companies providing them with tech heavy hardware and advanced materials. It excludes defense contractors and traditional aircraft and ship manufacturers. It also excludes companies providing services to the aerospace, maritime and defense industry stakeholders.
Top Aerospace, Maritime and Defense Tech Companies in United Kingdom
There are 1,558 Aerospace, Maritime and Defense Tech startups in United Kingdom which include Inmarsat, Savvy Navvy, Meggitt, ALL.SPACE, BLADE. Out of these, 323 startups are funded, with 178 having secured Series A+ funding, and 3 achieving unicorn status.
2026 has seen the creation of 37 Aerospace, Maritime and Defense Tech startups in United Kingdom. Over the past 10 years, an average of 66 new companies have been launched annually. Notably, several of these startups have been founded by alumni of Imperial College London, University of Cambridge and University of Oxford.
Here is the list of top Aerospace, Maritime and Defense Tech startups in United Kingdom
1. Inmarsat
Developer of satellite-based communication services. It provides users with deploying and operating a proprietary fleet of communication satellites and ground terminals to offer data and voice connectivity, as well as mobile satellite communications services. It also provides solutions to the governmental, agricultural, transport, aerospace, maritime and enterprise sectors.
Key facts about Inmarsat
- Founded Year: 1979
- Location: London (United Kingdom)
- Stage: Acquired
- Investors: EchoStar, UBS and 3 Others
- Latest Funding Round: Conventional Debt, Sep 20, 2019, $*****
- Tracxn Score: 70/100 What is this?
- Competitors Rank: 1 of 264 Competitors
2. Savvy Navvy
Provider of a mobile app for marine navigation. It provides users with automated route planning from the start location to the destination through a mobile app. It also enables users to select favourable routes with ETA planning, GPS locations, 3D Route previews, and waypoint export options.
Key facts about Savvy Navvy
- Founded Year: 2017
- Location: Bournemouth (United Kingdom)
- Stage: Seed
- Total Funding till date: $4.6M
- Latest Funding Round: Seed, Nov 16, 2025, $*****
- Tracxn Score: 70/100 What is this?
- Competitors Rank: 1 of 96 Competitors
3. Meggitt
Manufacturer of components and sub-systems for the aerospace industry. The company conducts its business through three market segments, including aerospace equipment, energy equipment, and defence system. Through its aerospace equipment segment, it offers aircraft braking systems, polymer and composites, thermal systems, and safety systems. Through its sensing system segment, it offers multiple sensors, such as vibrometers, sensors, and ferrocerium piezoceramics. It also offers a ground manoeuvring camera system (GMCS) and a high-definition camera for cabin surveillance.
Key facts about Meggitt
- Founded Year: 1947
- Location: Christchurch (United Kingdom)
- Stage: Acquired
- Investors: Fidelity, Capital Group and 2 Others
- Latest Funding Round: Grant (prize money), Jun 01, 2021, $*****
- Tracxn Score: 66/100 What is this?
- Competitors Rank: 1 of 239 Competitors
4. ALL.SPACE
Key facts about ALL.SPACE
- Founded Year: 2013
- Location: Reading (United Kingdom)
- Stage: Acquired
- Total Funding till date: $202M
- Investors: Boka, Boeing and 17 Others
- Latest Funding Round: Grant (prize money), Jul 22, 2025, $*****
- Tracxn Score: 66/100 What is this?
- Competitors Rank: 1 of 115 Competitors
5. BLADE
Key facts about BLADE
- Founded Year: 2014
- Location: New York City (United States)
- Stage: Public
- Total Funding till date: $44M
- Investors: Lerer Hippeau, The Raine Group and 7 Others
- Latest Funding Round: Post IPO, Jan 19, 2023, $*****
- Tracxn Score: 65/100 What is this?
- Competitors Rank: 2 of 5 Competitors
Companies founded year-on-year in the Aerospace, Maritime and Defense Tech sector in United Kingdom
37 new startups have been founded so far in 2026 in the Aerospace, Maritime and Defense Tech sector in United Kingdom. 104 Aerospace, Maritime and Defense Tech startups in United Kingdom were founded in 2019 - this is the most number of startups founded in any year in the last 10 years.
- Total Number of Companies
Year | No. of companies |
|---|---|
2026 | 37 |
2025 | 45 |
2024 | 43 |
2023 | 49 |
2022 | 42 |
2021 | 72 |
2020 | 101 |
2019 | 104 |
2018 | 95 |
2017 | 78 |
Stage-wise distribution of Aerospace, Maritime and Defense Tech sector companies in United Kingdom
Out of the total 1,558 Aerospace, Maritime and Defense Tech companies in United Kingdom, 323 have secured funding. Among them, 178 have reached Series A or higher, and 146 to Series B or beyond.
Founded - 1,558
Funded - 323
Series A+ - 178
Series B+ - 146
Series C+ - 137
Company Stage | No. of companies |
|---|---|
Founded | 1,558 |
Funded | 323 |
Series A+ | 178 |
Series B+ | 146 |
Series C+ | 137 |
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Funding Trends in the Aerospace, Maritime and Defense Tech sector in United Kingdom
Total funding year-on-year in the Aerospace, Maritime and Defense Tech sector in United Kingdom
The Aerospace, Maritime and Defense Tech sector in United Kingdom saw a total funding of more than $11.6B in the last 10 years. The most amount of funding was in 2019 at more than $5.21B. There has been a total funding of $1.33B in 2026 till date.
- Total Funding
Year | Total Funding |
|---|---|
2026 | $1.33B |
2025 | $669M |
2024 | $359M |
2023 | $518M |
2022 | $497M |
2021 | $2.35B |
2020 | $447M |
2019 | $5.21B |
2018 | $214M |
2017 | $43.7M |
Recent Funding Rounds in Aerospace, Maritime and Defense Tech in United Kingdom
In the year 2026, till August 2026, Aerospace, Maritime and Defense Tech companies in United Kingdom have raised $1.01B in equity funding across 33 rounds.
In the same period last year (i.e. till August 2025), Aerospace, Maritime and Defense Tech companies in United Kingdom had raised $359M across 28 rounds.
So, 2026 has seen a 182.4% rise in funding in Aerospace, Maritime and Defense Tech companies in United Kingdom as compared to 2025.
Here are some recent, important funding rounds in Aerospace, Maritime and Defense Tech companies in United Kingdom:
Company | Round Raised | Amount Raised | Funding Date | Investors |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Series A | 6787 | Aug 24, 2026 | and 3 more | |
Series A | 6936 | Aug 21, 2026 | and 3 more | |
Seed | 5619 | Aug 17, 2026 | ||
Series C | 1431 | Aug 10, 2026 | and 6 more | |
Series A | 7093 | Jul 28, 2026 |
Top Investors in Aerospace, Maritime and Defense Tech in United Kingdom
Seraphim is the top investor in Aerospace, Maritime and Defense Tech companies in United Kingdom based on number of companies invested.
Here are some top investors in Aerospace, Maritime and Defense Tech companies in United Kingdom:
Investor | Location | Top Portfolio Companies |
|---|---|---|
London (United Kingdom) | ||
Sunnyvale (United States) | ||
London (United Kingdom) | ||
Cambridge (United States) | - | |
Palo Alto (United States) |
M&A activity in Aerospace, Maritime and Defense Tech sector in United Kingdom
In the year 2026, till August 2026, 8 acquisitions happened in Aerospace, Maritime and Defense Tech sector in United Kingdom. Last year, in 2025, a total of 10 acquisitions happened in Aerospace, Maritime and Defense Tech sector in United Kingdom.
Here are some recent, important acquisitions in Aerospace, Maritime and Defense Tech sector in United Kingdom:
Company | Acquisition Type | Acquisition Date | Acquirers |
|---|---|---|---|
Business Acquisition | Aug 21, 2026 | ||
Business Acquisition | Jun 18, 2026 | ||
Business Acquisition | May 19, 2026 | ||
Business Acquisition | May 15, 2026 | ||
Business Acquisition | Apr 30, 2026 |
Acquisition trends in Aerospace, Maritime and Defense Tech sector in United Kingdom
Here are the acquisition trends in Aerospace, Maritime and Defense Tech sector in United Kingdom:
- Total Number of Acquisitions
Year | No. of companies |
|---|---|
2026 | 8 |
2025 | 10 |
2024 | 12 |
2023 | 12 |
2022 | 14 |
2021 | 12 |
2020 | 4 |
2019 | 15 |
2018 | 8 |
2017 | 14 |
IPOs in Aerospace, Maritime and Defense Tech in United Kingdom
In the year 2021, till December 2021, 2 IPOs happened in Aerospace, Maritime and Defense Tech sector in United Kingdom.
Here are some recent, important IPOs in Aerospace, Maritime and Defense Tech sector in United Kingdom:
Company | IPO Date | Exchange Symbol |
|---|---|---|
Dec 17, 2021 | National Stock Exchange (NSE), Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) | |
Dec 15, 2021 | New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) | |
Nov 05, 2019 | National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations (NASDAQ) | |
Feb 27, 2013 | London Stock Exchange (LSE) | |
Mar 08, 2006 | London Stock Exchange (LSE) |
Colleges which produce the most Aerospace, Maritime and Defense Tech companies in United Kingdom
Companies founded by alumni from top colleges in the Aerospace, Maritime and Defense Tech in United Kingdom
Most number of Aerospace, Maritime and Defense Tech startups in United Kingdom have been founded by alumni from Imperial College London, University of Cambridge and University of Oxford.
College | No. of companies |
|---|---|
Imperial College London | 18 |
University of Cambridge | 14 |
University of Oxford | 13 |
University College London | 9 |
University of Bristol | 7 |
London Business School (LBS) | 4 |
University of Edinburgh | 4 |
University of Manchester | 4 |
Columbia University | 3 |
Harvard University | 3 |
Total funding in Aerospace, Maritime and Defense Tech companies founded by alumni from top colleges in United Kingdom
In the last 10 years, University of Cambridge graduates' Aerospace, Maritime and Defense Tech companies in United Kingdom have raised the most funding among top colleges. University of Edinburgh alumni are second, and University of Oxford alumni are third.
College | Total Funding |
|---|---|
University of Cambridge | $903M |
University of Edinburgh | $528M |
University of Oxford | $250M |
INSEAD | $213M |
Harvard Business School | $151M |
Harvard University | $151M |
Imperial College London | $71.2M |
University of Manchester | $58.6M |
University College London | $57.2M |
IIT Kharagpur | $47.6M |
Top News in Aerospace, Maritime and Defense Tech in United Kingdom
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Accelya unveils modern retailing readiness assessment for buyersBusiness Travel News Europe•Aug 05, 2026•Accelya
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SOSi and Janes Partner to Integrate Military Intelligence Data on exoINSIGHT PlatformExecutiveBiz•May 14, 2026•Janes, SOSi
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myRiva and Accelya Accelerate Direct Airline Distribution, Achieving 82% NDC BookingsTravolution•May 04, 2026•Accelya, myRiva
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Kraken Technology Group and NVL Group Form Joint Venture for Uncrewed Maritime PlatformsGlobal Legal Chronicle•Apr 29, 2026•Nvl, Kraken Technology Group
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