Autonomous driving and automation technology company Applied Intuition is in talks for a financing round led by General Catalyst at a valuation of at least $1.5 billion
According to Bloomberg, people familiar with the matter said that autonomous driving and automation technology company Applied Intuition is in talks for a new round of financing led by General Catalyst, and is seeking to raise at least $1.5 billion at a pre-money valuation of about $30 billion, double its June 2025 valuation, with General Catalyst planning to invest $250 million.
People familiar with the matter also said that the company is expected to generate more than $560 million in revenue in fiscal 2026 and more than $1 billion in total revenue in 2027.
Applied Intuition, founded in 2017, develops autonomous operating systems and autonomous driving technology for industries including construction, transportation and defense. Its previous funding round was led by a BlackRock-affiliated fund and Kleiner Perkins. Applied Intuition and General Catalyst have not commented on this.
Original source: mlq.ai/news/applied-intuition-is-in-talks-to-raise-at-a-30-billion-valuation-double-its-2025-price-bloomberg-reports
ABAB AI Insight
Automated driving and automation software companies can see private-market valuations double in a short period as they expand into defense and multi-industry applications. Applied Intuition’s previous round closed in June 2025 at a $15 billion valuation, led by a BlackRock fund and Kleiner Perkins; this current talks are for a pre-money valuation of about $30 billion and at least $1.5 billion in size, led by General Catalyst, which plans to invest $250 million. The revenue expectations provided by people familiar with the matter indicate more than $560 million in fiscal 2026 and more than $1 billion in 2027, reflecting a growth path being built into the valuation discussion.
Unlike the previous round, which has already closed, this one is still in the talking stage and the terms may change, with neither side commenting. In a situation like this, capital is more focused on whether physical AI and defense-related businesses can support a doubled valuation, rather than relying solely on civilian autonomous driving. General Catalyst’s planned investment shows its lead role in the new round, but it does not amount to a final commitment.
This discussion would raise Applied Intuition’s valuation from $15 billion to about $30 billion, potentially bringing in new capital and strengthening its defense and multi-industry automation expansion. The beneficiaries would be existing shareholders, potential lead investor General Catalyst, and the company’s management seeking to expand the business; if the transaction is completed, the company would receive at least $1.5 billion in new funds. The structural change is that the valuation path for the autonomous operating systems company is shifting from a completed financing to a new private fundraising negotiation, with revenue expectations becoming a key variable supporting the valuation and capital allocation tilting toward physical AI and defense.
Cognitive laws
A software company’s valuation doubling within months reflects a repricing in the private market for physical AI and defense applications.
Revenue expectations provided by people familiar with the matter incorporate the growth path into the framework for an unfinished financing.
Neither side commenting and terms remaining variable indicate the deal is still in the evaluation stage rather than a closed transaction.