Daily Tech: Strategic Deals Across AI, Defence, and Cybersecurity Signal Strong Tailwinds

FutureGate | August 04 2025

SoundHound AI and Acrelec Transform Drive-Thru with Voice Tech

SoundHound AI (NASDAQ: SOUN) has partnered with global QSR tech provider Acrelec to roll out advanced, voice-enabled drive-thru systems across restaurant chains worldwide. The joint solution integrates SoundHound’s conversational AI with Acrelec’s hardware and customer management infrastructure, enabling restaurants to automate ordering with speed, accuracy, and natural language interaction.

For QSR operators facing labour shortages and rising wage costs, automation offers a compelling ROI. For SoundHound, this expands its commercial footprint and builds recurring SaaS-style revenue as restaurants scale AI integration. The partnership may accelerate the shift toward AI-driven customer service in physical retail, a trend fund managers are monitoring closely.

BigBear.ai and DEFCON AI Tackle Military-Grade Logistics

BigBear.ai (NYSE: BBAI) has entered a strategic collaboration with defence innovator DEFCON AI to co-develop AI-powered logistics platforms for military applications. The initiative focuses on “contested logistics”—preparing forces to operate under disrupted or adversarial conditions, which is increasingly relevant in the current geopolitical environment.

Their joint product suite will include simulation, predictive analytics, and operational planning tools for the U.S. Department of Defence and its allies. Given BigBear’s existing footprint in defence AI, this partnership enhances its position in the defence tech space—an area expected to see consistent funding growth regardless of broader market cycles.

Zscaler Expands Agentic AI Capabilities with Red Canary Acquisition

Zscaler (NASDAQ: ZS) has completed the acquisition of Red Canary, a leading provider of threat detection and managed detection-and-response (MDR) solutions. The deal strengthens Zscaler’s portfolio in agentic AI cybersecurity, allowing enterprise customers to automate both threat identification and response actions across cloud and on-prem environments.

The integration of Red Canary enhances Zscaler’s Zero Trust Exchange platform, making it more autonomous and scalable for large enterprises. With the cost of cyber breaches rising globally and IT budgets shifting toward proactive, intelligent security systems, this acquisition positions ZS for continued ARR growth and broader enterprise wallet share.

L3Harris and Joby Aviation Develop Defence

-Focused eVTOL Aircraft

L3Harris Technologies (NYSE: LHX) and electric aviation start-up Joby Aviation (NYSE: JOBY) have announced a partnership to co-develop a military-grade electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. Based on Joby’s commercial air taxi design, the aircraft will be adapted for U.S. military use, potentially replacing helicopters in select roles like logistics, surveillance, and tactical mobility.

The collaboration combines L3Harris’s defence systems integration expertise with Joby’s low-noise, zero-emission eVTOL technology. If successful, it could redefine the future of short-range military air mobility, especially in urban or remote combat zones. For investors, this deal validates the defence application of eVTOL tech and adds a new dimension to the dual-use thesis supporting Joby’s valuation.