Defence technology startup Dominion Dynamics has secured a significant $15 million in seed funding to bolster security in the Arctic. The round, led by Georgian with participation from Bessemer Venture Partners and BCI, brings the company's total capital raised to $18 million since its launch in late 2025. This investment fuels Dominion's mission to develop interoperable, autonomous systems for Canada and its NATO allies.
A New Vision for National Security
Dominion is developing what it calls the "Arctic autonomy stack," a network of sensors and autonomous platforms designed for contested environments. Its core system, Auranet, provides persistent monitoring across Canada’s vast northern frontier. This approach represents a fundamental shift from legacy hardware to software-defined, attritable systems that are affordable enough to be risked in the field.
Founder and CEO Eliot Pence, a former executive at Anduril Industries, emphasizes that future deterrence depends on speed and economic advantage. He aims to establish a Canadian "defence neoprime" capable of competing with established global contractors. Pence believes that managing ecosystems and political access are as crucial as technological innovation for success in the sector.
Strategic Investment Amid Geopolitical Shifts
The funding round is one of the largest early-stage investments in Canada's defence sector, arriving amid a challenging venture capital market. Lead investor Margaret Wu of Georgian described the deal as a "pathfinder" into a mission-critical industry. She noted that defence is no longer just about hardware but is increasingly driven by software, data, and speed.
This investment aligns with a broader trend of increased Canadian government focus on national security and domestic industry. Ottawa has pledged billions toward defence, creating a favorable environment for homegrown technology firms to thrive. Dominion's focus on Arctic sovereignty directly addresses a key strategic priority for the nation and its allies as geopolitical tensions rise.
Expansion and Operational Milestones
The new capital will fuel an aggressive expansion, with plans to significantly increase its engineering team across Ottawa and Toronto. Dominion intends to open a new development office and a 25,000-square-foot factory in Kanata, Ontario. These moves signal the company's rapid transition from a startup to a major player in the defence ecosystem.
The company is already demonstrating its capabilities through active deployments and trials, including the development of a drone to pair with fighter jets. Having completed successful tests in Northern Ontario, its Auranet system is currently operational in the Yukon. Dominion is also preparing to participate in Operation Nanook, a key military exercise that will further validate its technology for Arctic operations.
Dominion Dynamics' substantial seed funding marks a pivotal moment for Canada's defence technology landscape, signaling strong investor confidence in its vision. By focusing on software-defined, attritable systems for Arctic security, the company is addressing a critical national and allied need. With ambitious plans for growth and proven field capabilities, Dominion is positioned to redefine sovereign defence capabilities for a new era.