Cambium named top 100 tech start-ups by Silicon Valley

Defence is rapidly becoming the major driver of innovation and manufacturing capability in the West. It's a field where the UK, and South Yorkshire, has great strengths and capabilities. But how prepared are anchor institutions, research establishments and regional political actors to capitalise on this surge in investment - from start ups and spin outs to centuries' old innovators who have been supporting the defence industry since the Crimean War (nothing really changes) Sheffield and South Yorkshire have been the backbone of the UK's defence. Oliver Coppard recognises this. He recently signed the steel charter which would not only preserve but restore the UK's capabilities in the increasingly green manufacturing of domestically produced steel. The massive investment in Sheffield Forgemasters - where Oliver signed the charter -- is testimony to the region's centrality to defence. Its products provide the power behind the tripartite defence alliance known as AUKUS.....Australia, the United States and the United Kingdom. But there are many many other players in this arena in our region. From Castings Technology International who make critical parts for western defence systems and dazzling tech companies like Phlux Technology who manufacture avalanche photodiode infrared sensors and recently signed a major deal with Airbus Defence and Space, Sheffield's metals and materials know-how has been central to our national security.

This is an insightful article about "Dual-Use Technology" co-written by MIT's very own Gene Keselman & Fiona Murray, who argue that ‘dual-use’ should be viewed as a strategic approach rather than a mere classification. Technologies serving both military and civilian purposes are so diverse that labeling them as ‘dual-use’ is increasingly unhelpful. Instead, they propose that startups and investors adopt ‘dual-use’ as a market strategy, making deliberate decisions about product development and target markets, whether defense, commercial, or both.  

𝐇𝐚𝐝𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐧’𝐬 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐅𝐢𝐱 𝐒𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐮𝐟𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 Hadrian has unveiled Atlas, a groundbreaking program to simplify supply chain management for space startups. By combining a vetted supplier network with advanced supply chain and design for manufacturing (DFM) software, Atlas offers a single point of contact to minimize delays, ensure quality, and provide transparent, Domino’s-style status updates. This solution tackles the fragmented supplier landscape, helping startups navigate the challenges of scaling from prototypes to mass production. Atlas also empowers companies to focus on innovation by handling supplier coordination and matching startups with vetted partners as they grow. With a mission to strengthen the entire defense industrial base, Hadrian aims to make supply chains more efficient and scalable, fueling the future of space innovation. https://lnkd.in/epRFe-fk Payload | #Manufacturing | #Space

🚨 AI-Powered Engineering Automation! 🚨 Dessia Technologies, an AI engineering automation startup based in Antony, France, has just raised €3M in funding! 💰 The round was led by Matterwave Ventures, Supernova Invest, and the Orano Venture Fund. 🎯 What's next for DessIA? • Accelerating international expansion 🌍 • Strengthening their technical and commercial teams 💼 Led by Jean-Pierre Roux (CEO) and Pierre-Emmanuel Dumouchel (CSO & Founder), DessIA is transforming the engineering world with their AI-driven software platform. Their platform automates design and manufacturing processes, allowing clients to digitize and perpetuate expertise. 📈 🌟 Serving major industries like automotive, aerospace, rail, and naval, DessIA aims to become the leader in engineering automation. In partnership with Orano, DessIA will offer a decision-support platform using AI and bots to automate the generation of system architectures. This will optimize engineering studies for cabling, ventilation, and electrical systems, driving performance improvements across industrial installations. ⚙️ 📢 Stay tuned to Future Techly for the latest updates on this groundbreaking initiative and the latest in tech and business! 💥 Source: FinSMEs #EngineeringAutomation #AI #StartupInnovation #DessIA #Aerospace #Automotive #TechInnovation #FranceStartups #Industry4 #FutureTechly

The landscape is shifting. 🌍 Venture capital is gravitating towards European defense startups, driven by global tensions and the quest for cutting-edge technology. The recent conference in London highlighted an undeniable trend: the defense tech sector is becoming increasingly attractive to investors. Why? 1. **Innovation Potential**: Defense startups are pushing the boundaries of what's possible, developing technologies that can reshape the industry. 2. **Strategic Importance**: In a world of growing uncertainties, investing in defense isn't just smart—it's essential. 3. **Market Growth**: With geopolitical dynamics in flux, the market for advanced defense solutions is expanding at an unprecedented rate. For small and mid-size companies, this could mean new opportunities for partnerships, funding, and growth. The intersection of technology and defense is fertile ground for innovation. Let's keep an eye on this space—it's evolving fast. Read more here: [Forbes Article](https://lnkd.in/dHF4Vt68) 👉 What are your thoughts on this trend? Comment below, share your insights, and let's connect!

Congratulations to iCOMAT, a University of Bristol spinout and a Grand Scale Kickstart for #ICURe graduate, on securing $22.5M in Series A #Funding! 👏🏼 Under the visionary leadership of Founder and CEO Evangelos Zympeloudis, iCOMAT's automated and scalable manufacturing technology—the first of its kind—is revolutionising the trillion-dollar transportation industry, from air to ground to space. 🌍🛫 Based in #Bristol, iCOMAT leads in delivering lighter, stronger, and more sustainable structures for #Aerospace and #Automotive vehicles at unprecedented scale and cost/production efficiency. A massive well done to the entire team at iCOMAT on this milestone achievement! 🎉 ✅ Co led by 8VC and NATO Innovation Fund (NIF) ✅ Additional investors include Syensqo Ventures and existing investor Velocity.Partners Venture Capital Full Press Release 👇🏼 Innovate UK ICURe #Investment #Innovation #SpinOut #StartUp #AerospaceInnovation #AdvancedManufacturing #Composites #AdvancedMaterials #AdvancedComposite #CarbonFibre #LightweightMaterials #UKmfg #UKTech 

Venture investment in the defence tech sector has surged fourfold since 2018, reaching approximately $3.8 billion in the first three quarters of 2024, according to John Thornhill of the *Financial Times* and Sifted. Despite historical hesitancy from venture capital due to long procurement cycles and ethical concerns, the Russian invasion of Ukraine has shifted perspectives, with some arguing there is now an ethical imperative to invest in defence. NATO Innovation Fund’s (NIF) Professor Dame Fiona Murray highlighted the growing role of philanthropic and private capital in supporting national security-focused ventures, including investments in lightweight composite manufacturing (iCOMAT) and space-based semiconductor production (Space Forge). Europe’s fragmented procurement landscape remains a challenge, with NATO positioning itself as a key player in harmonising standards and enabling defence startups to scale across member states. Professor Murray emphasised the importance of deep-tech innovation in modern warfare, where civilian infrastructure is increasingly a target. While China’s military-civil fusion strategy presents competitive challenges, she argued that the West’s strength lies in its ability to leverage private-sector innovation. As NATO deepens its collaboration with early-stage ventures and institutional investors, the goal is to create a European defence tech ecosystem capable of competing with the Pentagon’s procurement model. #DefenceTech #VentureCapital #NationalSecurity #Geopolitics #Innovation #DeepTech #NATO #MilitaryTechnology #Startups #Investment

For NSIN Vector alum Elvee Performance Technologies, LLC, the support they received through the cohort curriculum and through expert feedback was essential as they decided how to leverage their technology to support the DoD. What they learned through the program led them to pitch their integrated insole and ankle movement system to provide smart performance analysis and measure the impact of equipment and training on the warfighter. Looking to find a DoD application for your technology? Apply to join the NSIN Vector cohort for your opportunity to break into the government market and win non-dilutive funding. Companies selected will have technologies to address advanced sensing, data sharing, command and control, resilient position navigation and timing, and contested communications. Apply by May 10: https://nsin.mil/vector/ #Accelerator #Startups #DefenseInnovation | Robert I., Sara Myers

L3Harris Technologies doubling down on working with startups? Interesting to see leadership thinking about much needed collaboration with the private markets as a way to remain competitive against its peers (Lockheed, Northrop, etc.) and remain relevant with customers. 1) L3 has recently created a new Agile Development Group which focuses on  internal efforts and external items including partnerships with industry across sensors, mission systems, unmanned systems and weapons systems. 2) The company formed a partnership with venture capital firm Shield Capital, which has strong ties to the DoD and Silicon Valley and is providing L3 Harris access to disruptive innovators for technology transfer, teaming arrangements, direct investments and acquisitions The goal is to develop an innovation business opportunity pipeline to solve customer problems with disruptive technology. CB Insights is the only platform that marries public company earnings calls/analysis (what leadership says) vs. what the company actually does via its transactions(partnerships, investments, acquisitions, etc.) Our clients use our data, research and workflow tools to inform their corporate innovation strategies, acquisition pipelines, competitive intelligence, alliance partnerships, product R&D priorities, etc.

Hadrian Manufacturing….their mission is “Accelerating Advanced Manufacturing”. According to CEO Chris Power, Hadrian’s focus is software automation in the CNC machining space. Forbes Senior Editor, Amy Feldman, notes Hadrian has raised $180M via venture capital. Hadrian provides high precision machined components to the aerospace and defense sectors and with “honing in” on addressing the variability in a “non-standard” and non repetitive production system. Chris Baker, Hadrian’s Vice President of Operations joined Hadrian from SpaceX and states that Chris Power wanted to achieve the impossible and challenges - “no, we can’t do this”. Hadrian is also addressing head-on what all manufacturers are facing - a significant lack of team members. Chris Power says that Hadrian can trains and on-boards their employees in 30 days (impressive). #chrispowerhadrianceo #hadrianadvancingmachining #amyfeldmanforbes