Advanced Navigation, a Sydney-based maker of AI-powered navigation systems, announced that it has secured AU$158 million ($103 million) in a Series C funding round.
The raise was led by Airtree Ventures, with strategic participation from Quadrant Private Equity and the Australian government’s National Reconstruction Fund Corporation (NRFC). These investors join existing backers, including Main Sequence, KKR, In-Q-Tel, Alpha Intelligence Capital, the Hon. Malcolm Turnbull AC, and OIF Ventures.
While the exact valuation remains undisclosed, the company confirmed to DealStreetAsia that the funding round has elevated it to unicorn status.
This achievement adds to the growing momentum of Australia’s tech ecosystem, which has produced over 40 ‘kangaroo-nicorns’ that have collectively raised $34 billion in venture funding since 2000 as of late 2025.
At its core, the startup builds systems that help machines understand exactly where they are and how they’re moving without relying solely on GPS. Its technology combines sensors, software, and AI to guide drones, ships, vehicles, and robots, especially in environments where GPS signals are weak, jammed, or unavailable, such as underwater, underground, or in conflict zones.
The company’s approach centres on blending data from multiple sources in real time, such as motion sensors, cameras, and other positioning tools, so that autonomous systems can continue operating even when one signal fails. This has made its products particularly relevant for defence, mining, and maritime industries, where navigation needs to remain reliable in unpredictable or high-risk conditions.
“The era of relying on a single silver bullet for navigation is over,” said CEO and co-founder Chris Shaw, noting that as autonomous systems expand into high-stakes environments, the world’s overreliance on GPS has shifted from a technical hurdle into a “systemic vulnerability”.
Advanced Navigation said it recorded triple-digit growth last year and is now looking to expand its operations in its two largest markets—the United States and Europe—which together account for more than 80% of its revenue.
The fresh capital will be used to set up positioning, navigation, and timing hubs in these regions, with engineering teams based closer to customers. Despite this international push, backing from the National Reconstruction Fund Corporation (NRFC) will see the company retain its headquarters, core R&D, and manufacturing base in Australia.
The funding will also support potential acquisitions as the company looks to expand its capabilities in areas such as robotics, photonics, and quantum sensing.
