Epirus
High-power microwave systems for counter-electronics and counter-UAS applications.
Epirus develops software-defined high-power microwave (HPM) technology for electronic warfare and air defense. Its flagship product, Leonidas, is a solid-state, long-pulse HPM platform designed to counter unmanned aircraft systems and drone swarms using non-kinetic methods. The company has contracts with the US Army and is scaling production of its directed-energy systems.
Overview
- Headquarters
- Torrance, CA
- Founded
- 2018
- Employees
- 250
- Total funding
- $550M
- Valuation
- $1.35B
- Stage
- Series D
- Status
- active
- Domains
- Directed energy, Counter-UAS, Electronic warfare
- www.linkedin.com/company/epirus
- X / Twitter
- x.com/epirus
- Website
- epirusinc.com
Founders6
- FounderGrant VerstandigCo-founder of Epirus and founder of Red Cell Partners.
- FounderNathan MintzCo-founder and former CEO of Epirus (departed 2020); co-founder of electronic warfare startup CX2.
- FounderMax MednikCo-founder and COO of Epirus.
- FounderJoe LonsdaleCo-founder of Epirus; co-founder of Palantir Technologies and founder of 8VC.
- FounderBo MarrCo-founder of Chaos Industries; previously an executive at Epirus and a technology lead at Raytheon.
- FounderJohn TenetCo-founder and CEO of Chaos Industries; previously a partner at 8VC and co-founder of Epirus.
Investors3
- Fund8VCVC firm founded by Palantir co-founder Joe Lonsdale, active in defense technology.
- FundWashington Harbour PartnersArlington, VA growth-equity fund focused on cybersecurity, government technology, and national-security-relevant enterprise technology.
- FundT. Rowe Price Investment ManagementInvestment management arm of T. Rowe Price Group participating in growth/late-stage private rounds.
Cap table7
Approximate ownership by holder. Indexed holders link to their records.
Raised per round
Valuation over time
Percentages marked ~ are not disclosed. Some are a generic VC-pattern model (founders/team weighted heaviest, option pool lightest, other holders evenly) sized to whatever's left undisclosed — a standard industry shape, not this company's actual cap table.
| Holder | Instrument | Ownership |
|---|---|---|
Founders & early team | Common | ~20.4% |
General Dynamics Land SystemsNew | Preferred (Series D) | ~18.5% |
Other institutional investorsReinvested | Preferred | ~13.6% |
8VCReinvested | Preferred (Series D) | ~13.6% |
Washington Harbour PartnersReinvested | Preferred (Series D) | ~13.6% |
T. Rowe PriceReinvested | Preferred (Series D) | ~13.6% |
Employee option pool | Options | ~6.8% |
Contracts2
Programs0
No linked records yet.
Frequently asked
- What does Epirus do?
- Epirus develops software-defined high-power microwave (HPM) technology for electronic warfare and air defense. Its flagship product, Leonidas, is a solid-state, long-pulse HPM platform designed to counter unmanned aircraft systems and drone swarms using non-kinetic methods. The company has contracts with the US Army and is scaling production of its directed-energy systems.
- Where is Epirus headquartered?
- Epirus is headquartered in Torrance, CA and was founded in 2018.
- How much funding has Epirus raised?
- Epirus has raised $550M in disclosed funding, at a most recent valuation of $1.35B.
- What does Epirus specialize in?
- Epirus works across Directed energy, Counter-UAS, Electronic warfare.
- Does Epirus hold government contracts?
- Defense Tech Atlas links Epirus to 2 government contracts.
Sources & citations6
Each claim links to its underlying source. Confidence reflects how directly the source supports the claim.
- 1
Closed $250M Series D in March 2025, total funding over $550M
PR Newswire: Epirus Closes $250M Series DReported2025-03-05 - 2
Founded 2018; HQ Torrance, CA; valuation $1.35B
LA Business Journal: Anti-Drone Directed Energy System Maker Epirus Raises $200MReported2022-02-21 - 3
Epirus's 2018 founding team includes six co-founders — Nathan Mintz, Dr. Bo Marr, Max Mednik, Joe Lonsdale, Grant Verstandig, and John Tenet — incubated via 8VC's Build program
Contrary Research: EpirusReported2026-07-26 - 4
Epirus was formed in 2018 through 8VC's Build program with six co-founders spanning venture capital, electrical engineering, and defense technology backgrounds
LegalClarity: Who Owns Epirus? Founders, Investors, and LeadershipReported2026-07-26 - 5
- 6
Epirus closed a $250M Series D (March 2025) led by 8VC and Washington Harbour Partners, with participation from T. Rowe Price Investment Management and strategic partner General Dynamics Land Systems
Epirus: Epirus Closes $250M Series D to Hyperscale Leonidas Production CapabilityVerified2025-03-05