Tekever raises $580m at $6.4bn, a week after a British Army drone award
The Portuguese drone maker's Series D was led by UC Investments and Baillie Gifford. It follows the British Army's CORVUS award, worth up to £400m over ten years — a government programme used to price a private round.
Tekever announced a $580 million Series D on 23 September at a $6.4 billion valuation, led by UC Investments and Baillie Gifford. The Portuguese company builds uncrewed aerial systems and has supplied surveillance drones used in Ukraine.
The round lands about a week after the British Army selected Tekever for CORVUS, which the company's announcement describes as worth up to £400 million over the next ten years. A contract ceiling is not revenue — what is actually drawn against it over a decade is unknown — but a named government programme is a firmer input to a private valuation than a pipeline estimate.
The pattern is worth noting on its own: defence procurement is now visible enough, and large enough, to set the price of a private AI-adjacent round within a week of the award.
- Confirmed $580m Series D at a $6.4bn valuation, led by UC Investments and Baillie Gifford, announced 23 September 2026. Tekever announcement, via sUAS News
- Reported British Army CORVUS award worth up to £400m over ten years — as stated in the company's own funding announcement; the ceiling is not committed spend. Tekever announcement, via sUAS News
Today in the September 24, 2026 edition · front page