Andrenam
Category: AI in Defense / Aerospace
An AI-powered, distributed maritime sensing network for persistent autonomous awareness from surface to seabed. Andrenam was founded in 2024. The company is led by Matej Cernosek. Based in Hawthorne, California, USA. Team size: 11-50. Total funding raised: $30 million. Latest round: Series A. Key investors include Upfront Ventures (Series A Lead), Valor Equity Partners, Also Capital, First Round Capital, Long Journey, Homebrew, Colorado School of Mines Venture Fund, Banter, 201, Wavefunction.
- Founded
- 2024
- Headquarters
- Hawthorne, California, USA
- Team size
- 11-50
- Total funding
- $30 million
Value proposition
Modernizing legacy hydrophone technology by applying artificial intelligence to analyze sonar data for faster, more accurate, and real-time detection of underwater threats through a distributed sensor network.
Products and solutions
PEARL (distributed networked passive acoustic buoy, 35+ units, 4,500+ in-water hours), OBSIDIAN (AI signal-processing platform for detect/track/classify/alert), Contractor-Owned Contractor-Operated managed sensing service
Unique value
Integrates legacy hydrophone technology with cutting-edge AI for comprehensive real-time underwater surveillance. Rapid seed round closure indicates strong investor confidence in their technology.
Target customer
Defense, homeland security, port security, critical infrastructure, and commercial maritime customers seeking persistent undersea domain awareness.
Industries served
Defense, Maritime Security, Port Security, Homeland Security, Energy & Offshore, Counter-UUV
Technology advantage
Founders' aerospace expertise and strong backgrounds in technology, with a focus on implementing advanced AI techniques for environmental monitoring.
How they differentiate
Andrenam's agile, software-defined approach contrasts with the hardware-heavy focus of larger defense firms, enhanced by the founders' SpaceX background.
Main competitors
Traditional defense contractors (e.g., Lockheed Martin, Raytheon), Emerging startups in maritime AI and surveillance space.
Key partnerships
U.S. Navy exercise participation including Solid Curtain 2026 and Lanternfish alongside UUVGRU-1, ANTX Coastal Trident 2025, Daniela Perlein joined board with Series A.
Notable customers
No publicly disclosed customers at this early stage.
Major milestones
Founded in 2024 by former SpaceX engineers Matej Cernosek and Alex Chu., Closed $10M seed in 36 hours (Jun 2025), led by First Round Capital., Built 35+ PEARL buoys across three generations, 4,500+ in-water hours (CA/WA coasts)., Demonstrated at Solid Curtain 2026 and Lanternfish with UUVGRU-1., Closed $18M Series A (Jul 2026) led by Upfront Ventures, total funding $30M.
Growth metrics
35+ PEARL buoys built; 4,500+ in-water hours; Series A funding to scale fourth-gen buoy production, OBSIDIAN rollout, and engineering/field ops hiring.
Market positioning
A next-generation innovator in maritime defense tech, focusing on submarine detection and ocean security.
Geographic focus
Primarily USA, with plans to expand globally.
Patents and IP
No public patents or intellectual property details disclosed.
About Matej Cernosek
Matej Cernosek is the Co-Founder and CEO of Andrenam. He was previously a Senior Build Engineer at SpaceX, where he worked on the Starship program. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Colorado School of Mines.
More AI in Defense / Aerospace companies
Official website: https://www.andrenam.com/
