Spear AI

Washington, DC Defense Technology Private

Spear AI is a defense technology company founded by U.S. Navy veterans that develops AI/ML software, maritime sensing systems, and engineering services for contested maritime and undersea environments. The company specializes in processing passive acoustic data gathered by undersea listening devices, helping operators differentiate benign environmental sounds (rain, marine life) from potential threats such as vessels or silent-running submarines. Its product stack includes deployable acoustic sensors (for buoys or vessels), a data-labeling and organization platform for sonar recordings, and the Horizon platform for AI-driven maritime data workflows. Spear AI's customers include the U.S. Navy, which awarded the company a $6 million contract in 2025 for its data-labeling tool to support undersea threat classification.

Overview

Company data and valuation marks are estimates and may be incomplete, stale, erroneous, or revised.

Founded

2021

Employees

40–80

Total Funding

$2.3M

1 rounds

Funding

Total raised $2.3M across 1 rounds

Funding data and valuation marks are estimates and may be incomplete, stale, erroneous, or revised.

Last updated 06-25-2026

Latest Round

Type

Seed

Date

July 25, 2025

Amount

$2.3M

Valuation

Lead Investors

Scare the Bear CapitalCortical Ventures

Leadership

  • Michael Hunter

    Co-Founder & CEO

    LinkedIn
  • John McGunnigle

    Co-Founder, Executive Chairman & CTO

  • Dennis Torres

    VP, Engineering

  • Matthew Barchick

    VP, Services

  • Chris Norton

    Technical Director, AI

  • Jaim Cottingham

    VP, Business Strategy

  • Carl Kaiser

    VP, Hardware

  • Briant Higgins

    Director of Special Operations

Competitors

Competitor list is illustrative and may be incomplete, stale, or erroneous.

  • Anduril Industries

    Defense technology company building autonomous systems including the Dive-LD/Dive-XL undersea vehicles and a Sea Spear-partnered subsea acoustic sensing capability; competes in undersea ISR and anti-submarine warfare.

  • Ultra Maritime

    Maritime defense electronics supplier producing the Sea Spear deployable sonar array and AI-enabled acoustic processing for anti-submarine warfare; partnered with Anduril on autonomous subsea sensing.

  • Saronic Technologies

    Builds autonomous surface vessels with AI for U.S. Navy maritime domain awareness, ISR, and forward-deployed defense; overlaps with Spear AI in AI-driven naval sensing missions.

  • Lockheed Martin

    Prime defense contractor that supplies large-scale undersea warfare and sonar systems to the U.S. Navy; legacy incumbent in the segments Spear AI is targeting with AI-native software.

  • Northrop Grumman

    Defense prime with extensive undersea, ASW, and maritime sensor portfolios; competes for U.S. Navy contracts in the same threat detection and acoustic processing domains.

Spear AI Investment FAQ

Public status and buying access

No. Spear AI is a private company and does not have a public stock ticker or trade on a public stock exchange. Its shares are generally held by founders, employees, investors, and other private shareholders. Buyers and sellers may be able to transact in Spear AI shares through private secondary transactions, but any transaction depends on share availability, buyer and seller agreement, transfer restrictions, company approval rights, and any applicable right of first refusal. There is no guarantee that Spear AI will complete an IPO or other liquidity event.

Yes, it is sometimes possible to buy Spear AI shares pre-IPO through private secondary transactions. This depends on finding a willing seller, company approval, and satisfying any transfer restrictions or rights of first refusal.

Buyers interested in buying Spear AI shares on the secondary market typically do so through SetterVC and other secondary-market platforms, subject to eligibility requirements, share availability, transfer restrictions, and issuer approval. Buyers may need to satisfy sophistication, accreditation, institutional, platform, regulatory, or other eligibility requirements before participating. Once eligible, buyers may be able to view listings, make bids, and work with a licensed broker through the transaction process. Buyers should ensure they have appropriate legal and financial advisors guiding them before completing any transaction.

Valuation and funding

Spear AI's latest disclosed funding round was a Seed round in July 25, 2025. The round raised approximately $2.3M, with Scare the Bear Capital and Cortical Ventures listed as disclosed lead or major investors. Primary funding rounds are different from secondary transactions: in a primary round, capital goes to the company, while in a secondary transaction, investors buy existing shares from current shareholders. Funding-round data reflects publicly reported or collected information and may be incomplete.

Spear AI has raised approximately $2.3M in disclosed funding across 1 round. These figures reflect primary capital raised by the company and do not include every possible secondary transaction, undisclosed round, debt facility, or private transfer. Reported funding totals can change as new rounds are announced or older round details are corrected. Eligible users can use SetterVC to track Spear AI's funding history alongside private-market activity where available.

Spear AI's disclosed investors include Scare the Bear Capital and Cortical Ventures. Investor lists are based on public reporting, company announcements, and collected funding-round data, and may be incomplete. Participation in a prior funding round does not mean those investors are currently buying or selling shares. On SetterVC, eligible users can review Spear AI's funding history, valuation history, and private-market activity alongside other venture-backed companies.

Market context

Spear AI's most-cited competitors include Anduril Industries, Ultra Maritime, Saronic Technologies, Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman. Investors often compare these companies by sector, product focus, valuation, funding raised, growth signals, investor base, and private-market activity.

Secondary-market demand for Spear AI shares can be affected by company performance, revenue growth, profitability, funding history, valuation, investor interest, sector momentum, public-market conditions, expected timing of a liquidity event, and the availability of shares for sale. Demand can also be affected by transfer restrictions, company approval rights, right of first refusal processes, limited information, and the price expectations of buyers and sellers. Strong demand does not guarantee strong pricing, liquidity, or investment returns. Weak demand does not necessarily reflect the company's long-term prospects. Demand signals should not be treated as a recommendation or prediction of investment performance. Buyers and sellers should treat demand signals as informational and conduct their own diligence before transacting.

Selling and transaction mechanics

Sellers often rely on intermediaries and platforms, such as SetterVC and other secondary-market platforms, to identify potential buyers. The exact process varies by company and transaction, but sellers often begin by confirming their ownership, desired price, transferability, and any company approval or notice requirements. If the seller agrees with a buyer on acceptable price and terms, the company may need to be notified through a share transfer notice or similar process. If a right of first refusal, company approval right, or other transfer restriction applies, the seller may need to wait until that process is completed. The parties may then execute a purchase and sale agreement, complete required transfer documentation, and close if all required conditions are satisfied. Sellers should always seek proper legal and financial advice before completing the transaction.

Yes, current and former Spear AI employees, early investors, and other existing shareholders may be able to sell vested shares before an IPO through a private secondary sale. This is not automatic; it depends on whether the shareholder has transferable shares, whether there is buyer demand, and whether the company's governing documents permit the transfer. Many companies require prior notice, company approval, or a right of first refusal before shares can be sold. Sellers should also seek proper legal and financial advice before proceeding.

A Spear AI secondary transaction usually involves an existing shareholder selling shares to a buyer before a public listing. The buyer and seller typically agree on price, number of shares, share class, and closing conditions. The seller may then need to notify Spear AI through a share transfer notice or similar process. If Spear AI or existing investors have approval rights, transfer restrictions, or a right of first refusal, those steps may need to be completed before the transfer can close. The parties typically enter into a purchase and sale agreement, complete any required transfer documentation, and close only if the necessary conditions are satisfied. Timing and certainty can vary by company and transaction.

In most private secondary transactions, parties commonly use a purchase and sale agreement that outlines price, terms, and conditions. They may also use share transfer documentation, often a stock transfer notice, share transfer notice, transfer instruction, or similar document, along with any required company approval or right of first refusal materials. Proof of ownership, such as a cap table entry, share certificate, brokerage statement, issuer confirmation, or administrator confirmation, may also be important. Buyers often request recent company financials, but private companies may limit disclosure. Since every deal varies, buyers and sellers should consult legal and financial advisors to understand which documents are needed.

Risk, diligence, and investor caution

Buying Spear AI shares pre-IPO is risky. Shares are illiquid, no IPO or liquidity event is guaranteed, valuations can change, transfers may require company approval, and private companies may provide limited financial disclosure. Be prepared for total loss. SetterVC and Setter Capital do not provide due diligence, legal, tax, accounting, valuation, or investment advice. Buyers must conduct their own due diligence, verify information, and seek independent legal and investment advice before proceeding.

Private secondary shares are typically illiquid. Unlike public stocks, there is no active public market, so selling them can be difficult and time-consuming. Sales depend on finding a willing buyer and often require company approval. Investors should be prepared to hold the shares for an extended period, with no guarantee of a future sale. Always assess your need for liquidity before investing.

SetterVC and Setter Capital do not provide due diligence, legal, tax, accounting, valuation, or investment advice. Buyers must conduct their own due diligence, including verifying ownership, transferability, legal structure, company approval, and assessing the company's prospects. SetterVC and Setter Capital do not provide advice on whether an investment is good, what price to pay, or what the best bid or ask is. SetterVC and Setter Capital may share documents in some circumstances, but it does not guarantee their accuracy or completeness. Due diligence is essential. Seek legal and investment advice as needed.

Before buying Spear AI shares, a buyer should try to review the share class, price per share, implied valuation, transfer restrictions, ROFR process, company approval rights, seller ownership evidence, recent financing or tender-offer information, available financial information, information rights, resale restrictions, tax considerations, and expected liquidity paths. Not all information may be available for a private company. Buyers should confirm available diligence, process details, and information needs with their own legal, tax, and investment advisers.

SPVs carry risks. Examples include the need to confirm the company allows SPV-based transfers, verify that the SPV truly owns the shares or interests it claims to own, and ensure it has not sold more interests than it holds. Due diligence is essential. Seek legal and investment advice as needed.

Forward contracts carry risks. Examples include the seller refusing to transfer the shares at the future date, even if the seller owns them, the seller going bankrupt with creditors claiming the shares, or the seller committing the same shares to multiple parties. Due diligence is essential. Seek legal and investment advice as needed.

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