Veteran Ventures Capital Supports Vatn Systems in $60 Million Investment for Undersea Innovation
In a significant move for the defense technology sector, Veteran Ventures Capital (VVC) has announced its investment in Vatn Systems, with a notable participation in the company's $60 million Series A financing. This investment underscores a growing emphasis on scalable and dual-use autonomous systems that aim to enhance national security.
Founded in Rhode Island, Vatn Systems is led by a team of experienced maritime practitioners and defense engineers. The company focuses on developing autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) designed specifically for the U.S. military, allied nations, and commercial clients. The modular design of Vatn's AUVs allows them to operate in large numbers, making them ideal for a variety of missions, including distributed sensing, rapid intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance (ISR), mine countermeasures, and other emerging underwater operations.
Derren Burrell, the Founder and Managing Partner of Veteran Ventures Capital, expressed enthusiasm for Vatn's innovative approach, stating, "Vatn exemplifies the kind of mission-driven innovation VVC was created to support." He noted that the company is addressing urgent needs within the national security sector through exceptional technical rigor and operational understanding.
CEO and co-founder Nelson Mills echoed Burrell's sentiments, emphasizing the strategic support VVC provides to companies in this space. The financial backing will enable Vatn Systems to enhance production capabilities and accelerate the delivery of their underwater mass assistance to customers requiring reliable and rapidly deployable systems at lower costs. The rapid growth and technical advancements achieved by Vatn throughout 2025 reflects the high demand for such technology, facilitating successful demonstrations and collaborative efforts with U.S. government entities.
One of the standout features of Vatn's technology is its proprietary inertial navigation system and a plug-and-play payload architecture. This enables operators to customize the vehicles swiftly based on mission profiles, making adaptations possible in a matter of days instead of months. This agility is crucial not only for enhancing national defense strategies but also for addressing civilian applications such as environmental monitoring, coastal infrastructure oversight, and scientific research.
In the recent investment round, Vatn Systems joins an esteemed group of strategic investors, including Lockheed Martin Ventures, SAIC Ventures, and Airbus Ventures, all recognizing the unique position Vatn occupies in the defense and maritime technology landscape. Craig Jaques, General Partner at VVC, emphasized the blend of deep ocean experience and cutting-edge autonomy that Vin Systems brings to the table, mentioning that as naval operations increasingly move towards unmanned technologies, Vatn is set to emerge as a defining player in this evolving market.
The company’s flagship models, the Skelmir S6 and Skelmir S12, represent significant advances in maritime defense capabilities. These vehicles combine traditional AUV functionalities with lightweight torpedo performance traits, adept at attritting threats, deploying sensors and decoys, and assisting in electronic warfare missions. Both products leverage Vatn’s distinct navigation system, delivering accurate positioning in challenging maritime settings at lower costs compared to conventional navigational solutions.
As Vatn Systems continues to innovate and expand, their presence is expected to influence both defense and civilian sectors significantly. Given the escalating importance of monitoring ocean resources, their adaptive AUVs are not only crucial for military strategies but are also set to play pivotal roles in ensuring maritime safety, environmental stewardship, and sustainable exploration.
Founded in Rhode Island, Vatn Systems is led by a team of experienced maritime practitioners and defense engineers. The company focuses on developing autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) designed specifically for the U.S. military, allied nations, and commercial clients. The modular design of Vatn's AUVs allows them to operate in large numbers, making them ideal for a variety of missions, including distributed sensing, rapid intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance (ISR), mine countermeasures, and other emerging underwater operations.
Derren Burrell, the Founder and Managing Partner of Veteran Ventures Capital, expressed enthusiasm for Vatn's innovative approach, stating, "Vatn exemplifies the kind of mission-driven innovation VVC was created to support." He noted that the company is addressing urgent needs within the national security sector through exceptional technical rigor and operational understanding.
CEO and co-founder Nelson Mills echoed Burrell's sentiments, emphasizing the strategic support VVC provides to companies in this space. The financial backing will enable Vatn Systems to enhance production capabilities and accelerate the delivery of their underwater mass assistance to customers requiring reliable and rapidly deployable systems at lower costs. The rapid growth and technical advancements achieved by Vatn throughout 2025 reflects the high demand for such technology, facilitating successful demonstrations and collaborative efforts with U.S. government entities.
One of the standout features of Vatn's technology is its proprietary inertial navigation system and a plug-and-play payload architecture. This enables operators to customize the vehicles swiftly based on mission profiles, making adaptations possible in a matter of days instead of months. This agility is crucial not only for enhancing national defense strategies but also for addressing civilian applications such as environmental monitoring, coastal infrastructure oversight, and scientific research.
In the recent investment round, Vatn Systems joins an esteemed group of strategic investors, including Lockheed Martin Ventures, SAIC Ventures, and Airbus Ventures, all recognizing the unique position Vatn occupies in the defense and maritime technology landscape. Craig Jaques, General Partner at VVC, emphasized the blend of deep ocean experience and cutting-edge autonomy that Vin Systems brings to the table, mentioning that as naval operations increasingly move towards unmanned technologies, Vatn is set to emerge as a defining player in this evolving market.
The company’s flagship models, the Skelmir S6 and Skelmir S12, represent significant advances in maritime defense capabilities. These vehicles combine traditional AUV functionalities with lightweight torpedo performance traits, adept at attritting threats, deploying sensors and decoys, and assisting in electronic warfare missions. Both products leverage Vatn’s distinct navigation system, delivering accurate positioning in challenging maritime settings at lower costs compared to conventional navigational solutions.
As Vatn Systems continues to innovate and expand, their presence is expected to influence both defense and civilian sectors significantly. Given the escalating importance of monitoring ocean resources, their adaptive AUVs are not only crucial for military strategies but are also set to play pivotal roles in ensuring maritime safety, environmental stewardship, and sustainable exploration.
Topics Business Technology）
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