Silicon Valley has long been known for social apps, delivery platforms, and financial technology. But in recent years, a new wave of entrepreneurs has shifted their focus from consumer tech to military innovation. One of the most controversial figures in this shift is Steven Simoni, the 39-year-old co-founder of Allen Control Systems, a startup developing AI-powered weapons for modern warfare.
From QR Codes to Autonomous Guns
Before moving into defense technology, Simoni made his fortune in consumer software. In 2022, he sold his QR-code company Bbot to DoorDash for $125 million. Instead of following the usual path of investing in more SaaS businesses, Simoni turned to defense. Along with Navy engineer Luke Allen, he launched Allen Control Systems to build autonomous counter-drone weapons.
Their flagship product, the Bullfrog, is a $350,000 autonomous machine gun designed to shoot down small, cheap drones. Mounted on vehicles or used as a stationary sentry, the Bullfrog can swivel 400 degrees in under a second. In recent tests, it successfully shot down drones, though it did suffer a jam during one demo. The company is also working on a laser dazzler and an aerial version of the turret called the Scourge.
Cultivating the “Warlord” Persona
To stand out in the crowded defense-tech space, Simoni has deliberately cultivated a bold public persona. Inspired by the movie War Dogs, he has leaned into the nickname “The Warlord”, often making provocative comments such as joking that “The future is Skynet.” Known for wearing a $4,000 Celine tracksuit, hosting late-night parties for government officials, and even fundraising for a Republican congressman, Simoni uses hype and spectacle to grab attention.
This approach has worked. Backed by Craft Ventures, co-founded by David Sacks (currently serving as President Trump’s AI czar), Simoni has gained key political connections. He has also made media appearances on Fox News, launched a podcast called “The Drone Ultimatum” featuring top military leaders like General James Rainey, and recently joined a venture fund to invest in other defense startups.
Military Validation and Funding
Despite skepticism, Allen Control Systems has secured real traction. The U.S. Army and Special Operations Forces have signed prototype contracts to evaluate the Bullfrog’s potential use in active defense scenarios. With $40 million in funding already raised, Simoni is planning to take the company public via a SPAC listing next year.
He sees his company as part of an inevitable trend: the militarization of AI and autonomous systems. As Simoni himself put it: “I hate war, but war is always going to happen anyway… so it’s like, someone’s going to make this product at some point.”
Concerns About Hype in Defense Tech
While Simoni’s strategy of combining media hype, political networking, and aggressive marketing has attracted investment, it also raises concerns. Critics worry that Silicon Valley’s “move fast and break things” culture may not translate safely into lethal weapons development. Unlike consumer apps, failures in autonomous military systems could have devastating consequences.
Steven Simoni’s journey from QR codes to AI-powered weapons highlights the growing intersection of Silicon Valley and the defense industry. With the Bullfrog autonomous machine gun and other products in development, Allen Control Systems is positioning itself as a major player in the future of drone warfare. Whether Simoni’s hype-driven “warlord” persona will help build lasting military technology or lead to dangerous overconfidence, remains to be seen.
What is clear is that the rise of entrepreneurs like Simoni marks a turning point: Silicon Valley is no longer just building apps it’s building the weapons of the future.
