Beaten Zone Ventures Backs Arkeus in AU$5 million Raise to Supercharge Australia’s Defence AI
Australia’s defence future is being built today, and Arkeus is leading the charge. Beaten Zone Ventures is proud to back Arkeus in its latest AU$5 million funding round, helping to scale game-changing autonomous optical technology that is reshaping how intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions are carried out.
This oversubscribed raise, supported by Main Sequence, Salus Ventures, and Beaten Zone Ventures, is a clear vote of confidence in Arkeus’ ability to bring cutting-edge AI-driven defence solutions to the frontlines. With demand for its technology skyrocketing, this funding will enable Arkeus to ramp up manufacturing, accelerate research and development, and get its revolutionary ISR systems into the hands of operators faster than ever before.
Arkeus’ Hyperspectral Optical Radar (HSOR) system is transforming how ISR is conducted—fusing AI, advanced optics, and edge processing to see what the human eye can’t. These capabilities are already operational across six defence platforms, including key Australian Army, Navy, and Air Force programs. The company’s ARK data fusion engine is also breaking new ground, creating a sovereign AI architecture that enables real-time, high-precision decision-making in contested environments.
“Arkeus is exactly the kind of company we love backing—Australian-founded, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible, and delivering real impact for our defence forces. This technology isn’t just impressive; it’s critical. The demand is there, and we’re backing them to move faster, scale bigger, and make sure our forces have the best tools available,” said Steve Baxter, Managing Partner of Beaten Zone Ventures.
This investment isn’t just about one company—it’s about ensuring Australia stays ahead in an increasingly complex security environment. The ability to gather, process, and act on intelligence in real-time gives our forces the edge they need, and Arkeus is making that a reality.
The future of defence technology is autonomous, intelligent, and built right here in Australia. Arkeus is proving that homegrown innovation can lead on the global stage, and Beaten Zone Ventures is proud to be part of that journey.
About Arkeus
Arkeus accelerates decision-making through the fusion of optics and autonomy.
Arkeus specialises in rapid design, innovation and fabrication of autonomous optical capabilities – designed to deliver transformative effects for Search, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (SISR).
Arkeus wide area autonomous optical search and surveillance systems are optimised for a range of missions including ISR, border protection, city size surveillance, force protection, counter terrorism, illegal activity monitoring or search and rescue – across land, sea and space – specialising in extracting critical intelligence and surveillance information and disseminating that data in challenging or contested environments.
For more information about Arkeus, visit www.arkeus.com.