SE3 raises $30M Series A to build spatial intelligence for autonomous systems

SE3 has raised $30 million in Series A funding led by Accel, with participation from Keen Venture Partners and continued backing from Lakestar and Seedcamp. The Munich-based company is positioning its software as a control layer for autonomous systems operating in contested environments, including deployments in Ukraine and with the Bundeswehr.

Why it matters: - SE3 is targeting a core bottleneck in autonomous systems: turning sensor data into shared spatial awareness that machines can use to navigate and act in complex physical environments. - The funding supports software that works on the edge and can connect systems from different manufacturers, a capability that fits the defence sector’s push toward modularity and interoperability. - The company’s focus on contested environments is relevant as electronic warfare and satellite navigation disruption remain operational risks.

What happened: - SE3 announced a $30 million Series A round. - Accel led the round. - Keen Venture Partners participated in the round. - Lakestar and Seedcamp also continued their support. - The company is based in Munich and describes itself as a European spatial intelligence provider for autonomous systems.

The details: - SE3 combines computer vision and AI to help machines interpret sensor data as spatial understanding. - The platform fuses sensor data from unmanned systems from different manufacturers into a shared 3D picture of the environment. - The software runs entirely on the edge. - One operator can command multiple systems by voice. - SE3 works alongside hardware manufacturers rather than competing with them. - The company says it has shipped thousands of systems in the last two years. - SE3 is deployed in Ukraine and works with Ukraine, the Bundeswehr, primes and leading autonomy software providers. - SE3 was founded by CEO Lukas Köstler, CTO Simon Klenk and Chief Science Officer Professor Daniel Cremers. - The company spun out of Cremers’ computer vision lab at the Technical University of Munich, where Köstler and Klenk were PhD students.

Between the lines: - SE3 is betting that defence buyers want software layers that plug into existing hardware instead of forcing a full rebuild. - The company’s edge-first architecture suggests a focus on environments where connectivity may be limited or denied. - Keen Venture Partners is framing the investment as part of Europe’s push for sovereign defence technology and deployable autonomy.

What's next: - Keen Venture Partners said it will use its network across defence ministries and the defence industry to help drive adoption. - The fund is expected to support portfolio companies in validating and expanding traction. - SE3 will likely use the new capital to scale deployments and deepen integration with defence and autonomy partners.

The bottom line: - SE3 is emerging as a software layer for autonomous systems in Europe’s defence market, with fresh capital and early field traction behind its pitch.