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Private investors are continuing to bid up Shield AI’s stock, underscoring growing enthusiasm for defense technology as artificial intelligence reshapes military spending and venture capital priorities.
Forge Global’s private marketplace data now estimates Shield AI shares at $163.79, reflecting a valuation of approximately $13.2 billion. That’s modestly above the company’s March fundraising valuation, suggesting secondary investors continue to assign a premium to the autonomous defense company despite its recent capital raise.
The marketplace also ranks Shield AI among its most actively traded private companies, alongside other defense technology names such as Anduril, Saronic and Gecko Robotics, suggesting investor enthusiasm extends well beyond a single company.
The surge in interest reflects a broader reallocation of private market capital toward defense technology and artificial intelligence. Venture investors who once competed for fintech, software and consumer internet startups are increasingly directing capital toward companies developing autonomous weapons systems, military AI software, drone technology and advanced manufacturing.
Shield AI has become one of the sector’s biggest winners. Founded in 2015, the San Diego-based company has raised more than $2.5 billion across multiple funding rounds, with its valuation climbing from roughly $30.6 million in 2017 to $12.7 billion this year.
Part of that momentum stems from the company’s expanding role in military autonomy. Shield AI announced the completion of its acquisition of simulation software company Aechelon Technology in June, while earlier this year the U.S. Air Force selected its Hivemind autonomy software for a Collaborative Combat Aircraft prototype program, further strengthening its position in next-generation defense technology.
The secondary market often provides one of the earliest signals of how institutional investors value private companies between funding rounds. Unlike venture financings, where companies issue new shares, secondary transactions allow existing investors and employees to sell stock to new buyers. Rising secondary prices can indicate investors believe a company’s value has continued to appreciate ahead of its next financing—or a potential IPO.
Shield AI is one of several defense technology companies benefiting from a surge in investor interest as governments increase military spending and AI becomes central to modern warfare.
With companies such as Anduril, Saronic and Hadrian also commanding multibillion-dollar valuations, the rising prices in secondary markets suggest investors expect the sector’s momentum to continue well before these companies reach the public markets.
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This article Shield AI's Secondary Market Price Climbs as Investors Double Down on Defense Tech originally appeared on Benzinga.com.
