Epirus, a defense tech startup specializing in anti-drone systems, has secured an oversubscribed $250 million Series D funding round, as shared with TechCrunch.

Headquartered in Torrance, California, Epirus was previously valued at $1.35 billion during its $200 million Series C round in 2022, according to its announcement at the time. Although Epirus did not disclose a specific valuation for this round, it confirmed to TechCrunch that it exceeds $1 billion. (In January 2025, Bloomberg reported that Epirus was raising this round at a lower valuation than its Series C.)

The Series D funding round was co-led by 8VC and Washington Harbour Partners LP, a Washington D.C.-based investment firm. Additional investors include Gaingels and General Dynamics Land Systems, a subsidiary of one of the largest defense contractors in the U.S.

This funding round brings Epirus’ total raised to over $550 million, solidifying its status as a unicorn. The company joins a select group of defense tech unicorns, including Anduril, which is raising funds at a $28 billion valuation, Shield AI, which is reportedly raising funds at $5 billion, and Saronic, which was valued at $4 billion in its latest round.

Epirus’ flagship product, Leonidas, utilizes high-powered electromagnetic pulses to neutralize drones in battlefield environments. The company has secured several U.S. military contracts, including a $66 million deal with the Army in 2023, as stated on its website.

Joe Lonsdale, Epirus co-founder and managing partner of 8VC, praised Leonidas as the “best protection against drone swarms today” in a statement provided to TechCrunch. (Lonsdale is also a co-founder of Palantir.)

Epirus plans to allocate the funds to expand its presence in international and commercial markets, as well as invest in growing its team, enhancing supply chain resiliency, and establishing a new simulation center in Oklahoma to train soldiers.