[ { "id": 1081, "name": "Boom", "slug": "boom", "former_names": [], "small_logo_thumb_url": "https://bookface-images.s3.amazonaws.com/small_logos/99fad830d694e292b87e0628e50c052c9f87cf86.png", "website": "https://boomsupersonic.com/", "all_locations": "Denver, CO, USA; Englewood, CO, USA", "long_description": "Boom Supersonic is transforming air travel with Overture, the world’s fastest airliner, optimized for speed, safety, and sustainability. Serving both civil and government markets, Overture will fly at twice the speed of today’s airliners and is designed to run on 100% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). Symphony™, a Boom-led collaboration with industry leaders, is the propulsion system that will power Overture. Overture’s order book, including purchases and options from American Airlines, United Airlines, and Japan Airlines stands at 130 aircraft. Boom is working with Northrop Grumman for government and defense applications of Overture. Suppliers and partners collaborating with Boom on the Overture program include Collins Aerospace, Eaton, Florida Turbine Technologies (FTT), a business unit of Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc., GE Additive, Safran Landing Systems, StandardAero and the United States Air Force. For more information, visit https://boomsupersonic.com\r\n\r\nBoom’s world-class engineering team comes from places including SpaceX, Boeing, Gulfstream, Virgin Galactic, Scaled Composites, NASA, and Bombardier. \r\n\r\nWe have uniquely challenging and world-changing opportunities for the most talented aerospace engineers, designers, and business people.", "one_liner": "Economically and environmentally sustainable supersonic travel", "team_size": 227, "industry": "Industrials", "subindustry": "Industrials -> Aviation and Space", "launched_at": 1448142615, "tags": [ "Transportation", "Aerospace" ], "tags_highlighted": [], "top_company": false, "isHiring": false, "nonprofit": false, "batch": "Winter 2016", "status": "Active", "industries": [ "Industrials", "Aviation and Space" ], "regions": [ "United States of America", "America / Canada", "Remote", "Partly Remote" ], "stage": "Growth", "app_video_public": false, "demo_day_video_public": false, "app_answers": null, "question_answers": null, "url": "https://www.ycombinator.com/companies/boom", "api": "https://devasheeshg.github.io/yc-api/batches/winter-2016/boom.json", "year_founded": 2014, "city": "Denver", "country": "US", "linkedin_url": "https://www.linkedin.com/company/boom-technology-inc./", "x_url": "https://twitter.com/boomaero", "fb_url": null, "cb_url": "https://www.crunchbase.com/organization/boom-technology", "github_url": null, "logo_url": "https://bookface-images.s3.amazonaws.com/small_logos/99fad830d694e292b87e0628e50c052c9f87cf86.png", "app_video_url": null, "dday_video_url": null, "company_photos": [], "primary_partner": { "name": "Jared Friedman", "url": "https://www.ycombinator.com/people/jared-friedman" }, "founders": [ { "user_id": 117558, "full_name": "Blake Scholl", "title": "Founder/CEO", "founder_bio": null, "is_active": true, "linkedin_url": "https://www.linkedin.com/in/blakescholl/", "x_url": null, "avatar_thumb_url": "https://bookface-images.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/avatars/8f35956a9d68593a6bf0cf68a5ba3d5bc03eff25.jpg" } ], "jobs": [], "news": [ { "title": "Boom - FlyBy - AI Needs More Power Than the Grid Can Deliver. Supersonic Tech Can Fix That.", "url": "https://boomsupersonic.com/flyby/ai-needs-more-power-than-the-grid-can-deliver-supersonic-tech-can-fix-that", "date": "Dec 09, 2025" }, { "title": "American Airlines places order for 20 supersonic jets from Boom Supersonic - The Verge", "url": "https://www.theverge.com/2022/8/16/23308514/american-airlines-boom-supersonic-jet-order", "date": "Aug 16, 2022" }, { "title": "American Airlines agrees to buy 20 supersonic planes from Boom", "url": "https://www.cnbc.com/2022/08/16/american-airlines-agrees-to-buy-20-supersonic-planes-from-boom.html", "date": "Aug 16, 2022" }, { "title": "Boom - News - Boom Supersonic Selects Greensboro, North Carolina for First Supersonic Airliner Manufacturing Facility", "url": "https://boomsupersonic.com/news/post/boom-supersonic-first-supersonic-airliner-manufacturing-facility", "date": "Jan 28, 2022" }, { "title": "US Air Force and Boom Supersonic Enter into Strategic Partnership", "url": "https://boomsupersonic.com/news/post/us-air-force-and-boom-supersonic-enter-into-strategic-partnership", "date": "Jan 11, 2022" } ], "launches": [] }, { "id": 1304, "name": "Reebeez", "slug": "reebeez", "former_names": [], "small_logo_thumb_url": "/company/thumb/missing.png", "website": "http://www.reebeez.co/", "all_locations": "Austin, TX, USA", "long_description": "Reebeez develops efficient solid-state thermoelectrophotovoltaic microengines for UAVs that achieve flight times and payloads unrivaled by batteries and fuel cells.\n\nDue to weight limitations of engines, small aerial vehicles must rely on lithium polymer batteries that result in disappointing flight times and payloads. Reebeez presents a propulsion ​system powered by thermoelectrophotovoltaics (TEPV) that runs on lightweight combustible fuels to attain specific energy eight times better than lithium polymer batteries - at a third of the cost.", "one_liner": "Reebeez creates powerful microengines for UAVs. With a 2hr + flight…", "team_size": 2, "industry": "Industrials", "subindustry": "Industrials -> Drones", "launched_at": 1462207815, "tags": [ "Aerospace" ], "tags_highlighted": [], "top_company": false, "isHiring": false, "nonprofit": false, "batch": "Summer 2016", "status": "Inactive", "industries": [ "Industrials", "Drones" ], "regions": [ "United States of America", "America / Canada" ], "stage": "Early", "app_video_public": false, "demo_day_video_public": false, "app_answers": null, "question_answers": null, "url": "https://www.ycombinator.com/companies/reebeez", "api": "https://devasheeshg.github.io/yc-api/batches/summer-2016/reebeez.json", "year_founded": null, "city": "Austin", "country": "US", "linkedin_url": null, "x_url": null, "fb_url": null, "cb_url": "https://www.crunchbase.com/organization/reebeez", "github_url": null, "logo_url": null, "app_video_url": null, "dday_video_url": null, "company_photos": [], "primary_partner": null, "founders": [ { "user_id": 124108, "full_name": "Ankita Ghoshal", "title": "Founder", "founder_bio": null, "is_active": false, "linkedin_url": "https://www.linkedin.com/in/ankita-ghoshal-0b0794ab", "x_url": null, "avatar_thumb_url": "https://bookface-images.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/avatars/ef3a9a1ed274ae3aa074ea7003e9924771e63e20.jpg" }, { "user_id": 135509, "full_name": "Prianka Ghoshal", "title": "Founder", "founder_bio": null, "is_active": false, "linkedin_url": "https://www.linkedin.com/in/priankaghoshal", "x_url": null, "avatar_thumb_url": "https://bookface-images.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/avatars/9c8b1eb5771e08a098e7e72a8b9a6e8a52b8f20e.jpg" } ], "jobs": [], "news": [], "launches": [] }, { "id": 12089, "name": "Heart Aerospace", "slug": "heart-aerospace", "former_names": [ "Dragonship" ], "small_logo_thumb_url": "https://bookface-images.s3.amazonaws.com/small_logos/c550b32949bcde8cb176bd2fb2069bf1ca3cac65.png", "website": "http://www.heartaerospace.com", "all_locations": "Los Angeles, CA, USA", "long_description": "Heart makes electric airplanes. ", "one_liner": "Heart makes electric airplanes with an all-electric range of 250 miles", "team_size": 50, "industry": "Industrials", "subindustry": "Industrials -> Aviation and Space", "launched_at": 1541712884, "tags": [ "Climate", "Electric Vehicles", "Aerospace" ], "tags_highlighted": [], "top_company": false, "isHiring": false, "nonprofit": false, "batch": "Winter 2019", "status": "Active", "industries": [ "Industrials", "Aviation and Space" ], "regions": [ "United States of America", "America / Canada", "Remote", "Partly Remote" ], "stage": "Early", "app_video_public": false, "demo_day_video_public": false, "app_answers": null, "question_answers": null, "url": "https://www.ycombinator.com/companies/heart-aerospace", "api": "https://devasheeshg.github.io/yc-api/batches/winter-2019/heart-aerospace.json", "year_founded": 2018, "city": "Los Angeles", "country": "US", "linkedin_url": "https://www.linkedin.com/company/heart-aerospace", "x_url": "https://twitter.com/heartaerospace", "fb_url": "https://www.facebook.com/heartaerospace", "cb_url": "https://www.crunchbase.com/organization/heart-aerospace", "github_url": null, "logo_url": "https://bookface-images.s3.amazonaws.com/small_logos/c550b32949bcde8cb176bd2fb2069bf1ca3cac65.png", "app_video_url": null, "dday_video_url": null, "company_photos": [], "primary_partner": { "name": "Gustaf Alstromer", "url": "https://www.ycombinator.com/people/gustaf-alstromer" }, "founders": [ { "user_id": 226175, "full_name": "Anders Forslund", "title": "Founder/CEO", "founder_bio": "Founder and CEO of Heart Aerospace (YC W19). PhD in aerospace design. Lives in Gothenburg, Sweden. ", "is_active": true, "linkedin_url": "http://linkedin.com/in/anders-forslund", "x_url": "", "avatar_thumb_url": "https://bookface-images.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/avatars/c3563c84315a766e5dcf1e95cc1342bdd5d958a2.jpg" } ], "jobs": [], "news": [ { "title": "The Largest Battery-Electric Plane Ever Made Has Flown For The First Time", "url": "https://www.engadget.com/2236248/the-largest-battery-electric-plane-ever-made-has-flown-for-the-first-time/", "date": "Aug 13, 2026" }, { "title": "In the Quest for Electric Planes, Hybrid May Be the Answer", "url": "https://www.wsj.com/science/environment/hybrid-electric-airplanes-9ba2ad22", "date": "Aug 28, 2024" }, { "title": "Bill Gates-backed electric plane startup Heart Aerospace flies high with $107m raise | Sifted", "url": "https://sifted.eu/articles/bill-gates-heart-aerospace-107m-news", "date": "Feb 01, 2024" }, { "title": "Heart Aerospace raises $107 million in Series B funding | Heart Aerospace", "url": "https://heartaerospace.com/newsroom/heart-aerospace-raises-107-million-in-series-b-funding/", "date": "Feb 01, 2024" }, { "title": "Sweden's Heart Aerospace hopes to bring electric flight to the masses | Sifted", "url": "https://sifted.eu/articles/bill-gates-heart-electric-planes/", "date": "Feb 12, 2023" } ], "launches": [] }, { "id": 12597, "name": "Lucid Bots", "slug": "lucid-bots", "former_names": [ "Lucid Drone Technologies", "Lucid Drone Tech" ], "small_logo_thumb_url": "https://bookface-images.s3.amazonaws.com/small_logos/3ef3c01732ca1adf6e17c2105c507271f7b86744.png", "website": "https://lucidbots.com/", "all_locations": "Charlotte, NC, USA", "long_description": "At Lucid, we are a B2B robotics provider for dull, dirty, and dangerous jobs, starting with the cleaning industry, which has a 200% annual turnover rate. \r\n\r\nOur primary product is a drone that can clean anything from windows to roofs to stadium domes to industrial tanks. Our drones can clean up to 8x faster. Due to customer demand, we also launched a ground-based pressure-washing robot to complement our cleaning drone.\r\n\r\nWe support customers around the country who use our robots every day to clean properties with great safety and efficiency. We engineer, manufacture, and support our technology from a 20,000 sqft headquarters in Charlotte, NC.", "one_liner": "We build robots for dull, dirty, and dangerous jobs.", "team_size": 26, "industry": "Industrials", "subindustry": "Industrials -> Manufacturing and Robotics", "launched_at": 1556215532, "tags": [ "Robotics", "Drones", "Manufacturing", "Aerospace", "Self-Driving Vehicles" ], "tags_highlighted": [], "top_company": false, "isHiring": false, "nonprofit": false, "batch": "Summer 2019", "status": "Active", "industries": [ "Industrials", "Manufacturing and Robotics" ], "regions": [ "United States of America", "America / Canada" ], "stage": "Growth", "app_video_public": false, "demo_day_video_public": false, "app_answers": null, "question_answers": null, "url": "https://www.ycombinator.com/companies/lucid-bots", "api": "https://devasheeshg.github.io/yc-api/batches/summer-2019/lucid-bots.json", "year_founded": 2018, "city": "Charlotte", "country": "US", "linkedin_url": "https://www.linkedin.com/company/lucid-bots", "x_url": "https://twitter.com/lucid_bots", "fb_url": "https://www.facebook.com/lucidbots/", "cb_url": "https://www.crunchbase.com/organization/lucid-drone-technologies", "github_url": null, "logo_url": "https://bookface-images.s3.amazonaws.com/small_logos/3ef3c01732ca1adf6e17c2105c507271f7b86744.png", "app_video_url": null, "dday_video_url": null, "company_photos": [], "primary_partner": null, "founders": [ { "user_id": 324936, "full_name": "Andrew Ashur", "title": "Founder", "founder_bio": "Andrew manages the overall operations of Lucid, including product development, strategic partnerships, and investor relations. He is a prolific learner with a demonstrated track record for extreme productivity. Andrew graduated with a double major from Davidson College in just three years, while playing a Division I sport, working three jobs, and founding Lucid. ", "is_active": true, "linkedin_url": "https://linkedin.com/in/andrewashur", "x_url": "https://twitter.com/andrew__ashur", "avatar_thumb_url": "https://bookface-images.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/avatars/7dab073afb6738934109b1ebf3cf32a194453587.jpg" } ], "jobs": [], "news": [ { "title": "Lucid Bots secures $9M for drones to clean more than your windows | TechCrunch", "url": "https://techcrunch.com/2024/05/08/lucid-bots-9m-drones-clean-windows/", "date": "May 08, 2024" }, { "title": "Charlotte company turns to drones for window washing | Charlotte Observer", "url": "https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/business/article263258723.html", "date": "Jul 12, 2022" } ], "launches": [] }, { "id": 13140, "name": "Exosonic, Inc.", "slug": "exosonic-inc", "former_names": [ "Exosonic", "Inc.", "Exosonic" ], "small_logo_thumb_url": "https://bookface-images.s3.amazonaws.com/small_logos/271f1ede7285afa6d625e1cb946615956221ce50.png", "website": "https://exosonic.com/", "all_locations": "Los Angeles, CA, USA", "long_description": "Exosonic is an early-stage aerospace start-up based in Los Angeles, CA developing supersonic adversary air UAVs to support the adversary air training mission for both commercial and government customers. The goal is to mature these supersonic UAVs to become loyal wingmen (or collaborative combat aircraft) and eventually develop quiet supersonic airliners from the lessons learned and profits generated by the supersonic UAV product line. Founded in 2019, Exosonic has raised $4.5M+ in private capital and $2M+ in AFWERX funding. The team has 15 FTEs and is developing a subscale flight test vehicle to demonstrate autonomy and potentially crewed-uncrewed teaming with a first flight timeframe of Q2 2023. ", "one_liner": "Developing supersonic UAVs as a pathway to quiet supersonic flight", "team_size": 14, "industry": "Industrials", "subindustry": "Industrials -> Aviation and Space", "launched_at": 1588285488, "tags": [ "Drones", "Unmanned Vehicle", "Aerospace" ], "tags_highlighted": [], "top_company": false, "isHiring": false, "nonprofit": false, "batch": "Winter 2020", "status": "Inactive", "industries": [ "Industrials", "Aviation and Space" ], "regions": [ "United States of America", "America / Canada", "Remote", "Partly Remote" ], "stage": "Early", "app_video_public": false, "demo_day_video_public": false, "app_answers": null, "question_answers": null, "url": "https://www.ycombinator.com/companies/exosonic-inc", "api": "https://devasheeshg.github.io/yc-api/batches/winter-2020/exosonic-inc.json", "year_founded": 2019, "city": "Los Angeles", "country": "US", "linkedin_url": "https://www.linkedin.com/company/66684898/", "x_url": "https://twitter.com/flyexosonic", "fb_url": "https://www.facebook.com/FlyExosonic/", "cb_url": "https://www.crunchbase.com/organization/exosonic", "github_url": null, "logo_url": "https://bookface-images.s3.amazonaws.com/small_logos/271f1ede7285afa6d625e1cb946615956221ce50.png", "app_video_url": null, "dday_video_url": null, "company_photos": [], "primary_partner": null, "founders": [ { "user_id": 247164, "full_name": "Tim MacDonald", "title": "Founder", "founder_bio": "Co-founder of supersonic aircraft startup.", "is_active": false, "linkedin_url": "https://www.linkedin.com/in/timdmacd/", "x_url": "", "avatar_thumb_url": "https://bookface-images.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/avatars/fc8f6a9cbc67a85e3c4c9e514e63545720836109.jpg" }, { "user_id": 247759, "full_name": "Norris Tie", "title": "Founder", "founder_bio": "Norris is a Stanford MBA graduate (2019) and aerospace engineer from UCLA (2014), In between his BS and MBA, he spent three years working in aerospace as a propulsion engineer, all on vehicles that fly faster than the speed of sound. He’s been passionate about faster commercial flight since he was little and is dedicated to solving the problem. He has the academic and industry background, grit, and passion to build Exosonic and introduce a new boomless era of supersonic commercial aviation.", "is_active": false, "linkedin_url": "https://www.linkedin.com/in/norristie/", "x_url": "", "avatar_thumb_url": "https://bookface-images.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/avatars/782932a64c1a1a8e29443f8434e5bafe2b984a35.jpg" } ], "jobs": [], "news": [ { "title": "Exosonic Completes Quiet Supersonic Airliner Conceptual Review; Closes $4M+ Seed Round", "url": "https://www.exosonic.com/post/exosonic-completes-quiet-supersonic-airliner-conceptual-review-closes-4m-seed-round", "date": "May 06, 2022" } ], "launches": [] }, { "id": 22640, "name": "Albedo", "slug": "albedo", "former_names": [], "small_logo_thumb_url": "https://bookface-images.s3.amazonaws.com/small_logos/3429747f66833536a5f2b50b1cbea5ad275f53c8.png", "website": "https://albedo.com", "all_locations": "Denver, CO, USA", "long_description": "Albedo builds and operates satellites in Very Low Earth Orbit (VLEO) — a new orbital layer much closer to Earth than traditional satellites in LEO. Flying lower unlocks sharper imagery, faster communications, and real-time maneuverability with smaller, more efficient hardware.\r\n\r\nVLEO is naturally self-cleaning and resilient, offering a sustainable alternative to crowded low Earth orbit - providing diversification and redundancy for critical systems that we rely on in higher orbits. \r\n\r\nWith the only flight proven VLEO system on the market, Albedo is creating a new orbital infrastructure designed for speed, precision, and resilience.", "one_liner": "Full-stack VLEO satellite missions", "team_size": 55, "industry": "Industrials", "subindustry": "Industrials -> Aviation and Space", "launched_at": 1611609475, "tags": [ "Hard Tech", "Satellites", "Climate", "Aerospace" ], "tags_highlighted": [], "top_company": false, "isHiring": true, "nonprofit": false, "batch": "Winter 2021", "status": "Active", "industries": [ "Industrials", "Aviation and Space" ], "regions": [ "United States of America", "America / Canada", "Remote", "Partly Remote" ], "stage": "Growth", "app_video_public": false, "demo_day_video_public": false, "app_answers": null, "question_answers": null, "url": "https://www.ycombinator.com/companies/albedo", "api": "https://devasheeshg.github.io/yc-api/batches/winter-2021/albedo.json", "year_founded": 2020, "city": "Denver", "country": "US", "linkedin_url": "https://www.linkedin.com/company/albedo-space", "x_url": "https://twitter.com/albedo", "fb_url": null, "cb_url": "https://www.crunchbase.com/organization/albedo", "github_url": null, "logo_url": "https://bookface-images.s3.amazonaws.com/small_logos/3429747f66833536a5f2b50b1cbea5ad275f53c8.png", "app_video_url": null, "dday_video_url": null, "company_photos": [], "primary_partner": { "name": "Brad Flora", "url": "https://www.ycombinator.com/people/brad-flora" }, "founders": [ { "user_id": 571988, "full_name": "Topher Haddad", "title": "Founder", "founder_bio": "Previous to being CEO of Albedo, Topher was a systems engineer at Lockheed Martin working on top secret remote sensing satellites. Topher led teams involved in the optical design and imaging architecture across multiple $B+ government programs. He holds a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from UT Austin and an M.S. in Electrical Engineering from Johns Hopkins. ", "is_active": true, "linkedin_url": "https://www.linkedin.com/in/topher-haddad-a9a460a4/", "x_url": "https://twitter.com/topherhaddad", "avatar_thumb_url": "https://bookface-images.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/avatars/399395f24102ae8d314afeaf8a0330c5b983d5c8.jpg" }, { "user_id": 578941, "full_name": "AyJay Lasater", "title": "Founder", "founder_bio": "CTO at Albedo. Previous to Albedo, AyJay was a System Architect at Lockheed Martin, developing satellite constellations, satellite designs from concept to launch and in-orbit ops, and iterated on various in-depth performance analysis. AyJat worked with high performing small sats and exquisite large $B+ satellites for the government. He holds a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Colorado School of Mines and M.S. in Mechatronics from DU", "is_active": true, "linkedin_url": "https://www.linkedin.com/in/aj-lasater/", "x_url": "", "avatar_thumb_url": "https://bookface-images.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/avatars/b7bc7c791d570d7fa5d8302fb967156cdf42d8d3.jpg" } ], "jobs": [ { "id": 93942, "title": "Director of Hardware", "url": "https://www.ycombinator.com/companies/albedo/jobs/TOtlu2u-director-of-hardware", "location": "Broomfield, CO", "type": "Full-time", "role": "Engineering", "role_type": "Hardware", "salary_range": "$205K - $237K", "equity_range": "", "experience": "11+ years", "visa": "US citizen/visa only", "skills": [] }, { "id": 93943, "title": "Director of Software", "url": "https://www.ycombinator.com/companies/albedo/jobs/Jf8Jr49-director-of-software", "location": "Broomfield, CO", "type": "Full-time", "role": "Engineering", "role_type": "Embedded systems", "salary_range": "$200K - $219K", "equity_range": "", "experience": "11+ years", "visa": "US citizen/visa only", "skills": [] }, { "id": 93945, "title": "Lead Recruiter", "url": "https://www.ycombinator.com/companies/albedo/jobs/dJsRVu8-lead-recruiter", "location": "Broomfield, CO", "type": "Full-time", "role": "Recruiting & HR", "role_type": "Recruiter", "salary_range": "$164K - $188K", "equity_range": "", "experience": "11+ years", "visa": "US citizen/visa only", "skills": [] } ], "news": [ { "title": "Albedo to loft Clarity to very low orbit in early 2025 - SpaceNews", "url": "https://spacenews.com/albedo-to-loft-clarity-to-very-low-orbit-in-early-2025/", "date": "Jun 12, 2024" }, { "title": "Albedo closes $35M at boosted valuation to build satellites that orbit very, very close to Earth | TechCrunch", "url": "https://techcrunch.com/2024/01/23/albedo-closes-35m-at-boosted-valuation-to-build-satellites-that-orbit-very-very-close-to-earth/", "date": "Jan 23, 2024" }, { "title": "A Q+A with Albedo's Topher Haddad - Payload", "url": "https://payloadspace.com/a-qa-with-albedos-topher-haddad/", "date": "Sep 08, 2022" }, { "title": "Albedo wins license to sell 10-centimeter imagery - SpaceNews", "url": "https://spacenews.com/albedo-wins-license-to-sell-10-centimeter-imagery/", "date": "Dec 14, 2021" } ], "launches": [] }, { "id": 23369, "name": "REGENT", "slug": "regent", "former_names": [], "small_logo_thumb_url": "https://bookface-images.s3.amazonaws.com/small_logos/e0c83c9ecbf81c8809be20d15fe4abf91f2789dc.png", "website": "http://regentcraft.com", "all_locations": "North Kingstown, RI, USA", "long_description": "REGENT is building a new mode of transportation that will redefine regional mobility by 2026. Their first product, the seaglider, is an all-electric, hydrofoiling flying-boat that operates within a wingspan of the water's surface. By flying low on a cushion of air, seagliders unlock the ability to fly twice as far as an electric aircraft, while being regulated by maritime authorities enabling market entry for a fraction of the cost.\r\n \r\nREGENT has de-risked seaglider technology with a ¼-scale flying demonstration vehicle. By this summer, REGENT will fly humans on the 15,000 lb (7000kg) first full-scale prototype seaglider, which will be the largest electric-flying machine in history.\r\n\r\nBy late 2026, REGENT’s customers - airlines and ferry companies – will begin commercial seaglider service on the 12-seat initial product. A 100 passenger version, already with firm orders, will follow several years later.\r\n\r\nIn just four years, REGENT has accumulated >$10B in pre-orders (including firm deposits) from airlines and ferry companies around the world. Currently a team of 100, REGENT is led by MIT-trained, ex-Boeing engineers Billy Thalheimer and Mike Klinker. 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Holding a BS/MS from MIT in aerospace engineering, he also led flight physics modeling for Boeing's electric air taxi, and authored their custom aircraft design code.\n\nAs a passionate aerospace nerd, Billy spends his free time competing as an aerobatic pilot.", "is_active": true, "linkedin_url": "https://www.linkedin.com/in/williamthalheimer/", "x_url": "", "avatar_thumb_url": "https://bookface-images.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/avatars/55b8ff816963ee85958d35e82d1ba6024594c470.jpg" }, { "user_id": 630825, "full_name": "Michael Klinker", "title": "Founder", "founder_bio": "Aviation runs in Mike’s blood--he received his Bachelors and Masters degrees from MIT focused on aircraft controls and autonomy, is an avid pilot, and loves any vehicle that flies or floats. Mike spent years at Airware, Raptor Maps, MIT Lincoln Labs, and Aurora Flight Sciences designing and operating innovative vehicles. Mike has built and written control software for over a dozen aircraft, and brings his advanced flight controls and abundant flight test experience to REGENT as its CTO.", "is_active": true, "linkedin_url": "https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-klinker-85a1a989/", "x_url": "", "avatar_thumb_url": "https://bookface-images.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/avatars/194db99a33efea8eb6ea8b9a26bfc755e4e69693.jpg" } ], "jobs": [], "news": [ { "title": "REGENT Craft Raises $240M Series B", "url": "https://www.tectonicdefense.com/regent-craft-raises-240m-series-b/", "date": "Aug 27, 2026" }, { "title": "It’s a Boat! It’s a Plane! 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We do this by transforming existing Earth observation satellites with software to image other satellites as they fly close by.", "one_liner": "We visually monitor space objects for governments and defense", "team_size": 3, "industry": "Industrials", "subindustry": "Industrials -> Aviation and Space", "launched_at": 1627433056, "tags": [ "Space Exploration", "Aerospace", "Defense" ], "tags_highlighted": [], "top_company": false, "isHiring": false, "nonprofit": false, "batch": "Summer 2021", "status": "Active", "industries": [ "Industrials", "Aviation and Space" ], "regions": [ "Australia", "Oceania" ], "stage": "Growth", "app_video_public": false, "demo_day_video_public": false, "app_answers": null, "question_answers": null, "url": "https://www.ycombinator.com/companies/heo-robotics", "api": "https://devasheeshg.github.io/yc-api/batches/summer-2021/heo-robotics.json", "year_founded": 2016, "city": "Sydney", "country": "AU", "linkedin_url": "https://au.linkedin.com/company/high-earth-orbit-robotics", "x_url": "https://twitter.com/heorobotics?lang=en", "fb_url": "https://www.facebook.com/heorobotics", "cb_url": null, "github_url": null, "logo_url": "https://bookface-images.s3.amazonaws.com/small_logos/4eb6dbf348024d4e5ac4fca59b2986a44df80f67.png", "app_video_url": null, "dday_video_url": null, "company_photos": [], "primary_partner": { "name": "Diana Hu", "url": "https://www.ycombinator.com/people/diana-hu" }, "founders": [ { "user_id": 420589, "full_name": "Will Crowe", "title": "Founder", "founder_bio": "Will has a PhD in Aerospace Engineering, with a focus on the astrodynamics of spacecraft swarms with relation to asteroids. He has won international awards for his work, including the Space Generation Advisory Council's \"Move an Asteroid\" award in 2015. As CEO of HEO Robotics, Will's highlights include taking the world's second commercial in-orbit inspection photo of a spacecraft. Will loves spending time with family and reading.", "is_active": true, "linkedin_url": "http://www.linkedin.com/in/william-crowe-space", "x_url": "", "avatar_thumb_url": "https://bookface-images.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/avatars/5c8a2eb050cc16e676e0dacd46e9593858f0d6c9.jpg" }, { "user_id": 420719, "full_name": "Hiranya Jayakody", "title": "Founder", "founder_bio": "Co-founder and CTO - HEO Robotics\n\nHiranya Jayakody is the CTO and co-founder of HEO Robotics. He has a PhD in mechatronics engineering from UNSW Sydney and a bachelor's degree in electronics engineering from University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka. In addition to HEO Robotics, he worked as a researcher at UNSW Sydney focusing on computer vision and machine learning for agriculture as well as robust control of aerial vehicles and space robots.\n", "is_active": true, "linkedin_url": "https://www.linkedin.com/in/hiranya-jayakody/", "x_url": "", "avatar_thumb_url": "https://bookface-images.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/avatars/614230dc5d95929cf6311a472320f21b538b2c8a.jpg" } ], "jobs": [], "news": [ { "title": "HEO Robotics' Holmes Imager successfully launched - SpaceWatch.Global", "url": "https://spacewatch.global/2023/06/heo-robotics-holmes-imager-successfully-launched/", "date": "Jun 14, 2023" }, { "title": "New Image Is Our First Look at SpaceX's 'Mini' Starlink in Orbit", "url": "https://gizmodo.com.au/2023/03/new-image-is-our-first-look-at-spacexs-mini-starlink-in-orbit/", "date": "Mar 09, 2023" }, { "title": "China's falling Long March 5B rocket stage spotted from space (photos) | Space", "url": "https://www.space.com/china-falling-long-march-5b-rocket-satellite-photo", "date": "Nov 03, 2022" } ], "launches": [] }, { "id": 26134, "name": "Beyond Aero", "slug": "beyond-aero", "former_names": [], "small_logo_thumb_url": "https://bookface-images.s3.amazonaws.com/small_logos/c372268dde1c1e5ed3e639d9cb8603d8cf3639ea.png", "website": "https://www.beyond-aero.com/", "all_locations": "Toulouse, Occitanie, France", "long_description": "Beyond Aero is building the first electric business aircraft powered by hydrogen propulsion, enabling six passengers to fly up to 800 NM (1,500 km), a range unattainable with battery-electric aircraft. Founded in December 2020, the company is redesigning the architecture of an aircraft around hydrogen-electric propulsion, focusing on fuel cell technology, gaseous hydrogen tank integration, and advanced cooling systems. With offices in Toulouse, Paris, and Los Angeles, the company boasts a team of over 80 highly qualified engineers from leading aerospace companies. Beyond Aero has secured over $50 million in funding, backed by investors such as Giant Ventures, Bpifrance, and prior supporters like Initialized Capital, Female Founders Fund, and 7 Percent Ventures. Beyond Aero also completed Y Combinator in 2022. The company has secured $1.5bn in Letters of Intent (LOIs), completed France’s first manned, fully hydrogen-electric flight, and acquired Universal Hydrogen Co.'s assets, IP, and flight data. Beyond Aero is a member of the World Economic Forum’s First Movers Coalition and the Alliance for Zero Emission Aviation, underscoring its commitment to electrifying aviation with hydrogen propulsion.", "one_liner": "First electric business aircraft designed for hydrogen propulsion", "team_size": 80, "industry": "Industrials", "subindustry": "Industrials -> Aviation and Space", "launched_at": 1639500772, "tags": [ "Hydrogen Energy", "Airplanes", "Energy", "Electric Vehicles", "Aerospace" ], "tags_highlighted": [], "top_company": false, "isHiring": false, "nonprofit": false, "batch": "Winter 2022", "status": "Active", "industries": [ "Industrials", "Aviation and Space" ], "regions": [ "France", "Europe", "Remote", "Partly Remote" ], "stage": "Early", "app_video_public": false, "demo_day_video_public": false, "app_answers": null, "question_answers": null, "url": "https://www.ycombinator.com/companies/beyond-aero", "api": "https://devasheeshg.github.io/yc-api/batches/winter-2022/beyond-aero.json", "year_founded": 2020, "city": "Toulouse", "country": "FR", "linkedin_url": "https://www.linkedin.com/company/beyondaero/", "x_url": "https://twitter.com/beyond_aero", "fb_url": null, "cb_url": "https://www.crunchbase.com/organization/beyond-aero", "github_url": null, "logo_url": "https://bookface-images.s3.amazonaws.com/small_logos/c372268dde1c1e5ed3e639d9cb8603d8cf3639ea.png", "app_video_url": null, "dday_video_url": null, "company_photos": [], "primary_partner": { "name": "Gustaf Alstromer", "url": "https://www.ycombinator.com/people/gustaf-alstromer" }, "founders": [ { "user_id": 741075, "full_name": "Hugo Tarlé", "title": "Founder", "founder_bio": "Co-Founder and COO, Beyond Aero", "is_active": true, "linkedin_url": "https://www.linkedin.com/in/hugotarle", "x_url": "https://twitter.com/hugotarle", "avatar_thumb_url": "https://bookface-images.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/avatars/c1a4c38d8fa034a904aaaa01c18b4aa722bdab5b.jpg" } ], "jobs": [], "news": [ { "title": "Startup Beyond Aero Raises $20 Million for Its Hydrogen-Electric Private Jets", "url": "https://www.wsj.com/articles/startup-beyond-aero-raises-20-million-for-itshydrogen-electric-private-jets-009f52c1", "date": "Oct 28, 2024" }, { "title": "Meet the 27-year-old woman running an electric plane startup", "url": "https://www.fastcompany.com/91046672/meet-the-27-year-old-woman-running-an-electric-plane-startup", "date": "Mar 06, 2024" }, { "title": "Aerospace Testing International September 2023 Page 64", "url": "https://ati.mydigitalpublication.co.uk/september-2023?m=63357&i=800172&p=64&ver=html5", "date": "Oct 11, 2023" }, { "title": "Beyond Aero is building a hydrogen-powered jet | TechCrunch", "url": "https://techcrunch.com/2023/09/19/beyond-aero-is-building-a-hydrogen-powered-jet/", "date": "Sep 19, 2023" }, { "title": "Hydrogen-powered planes almost ready for takeoff | Ars Technica", "url": "https://arstechnica.com/science/2023/08/hydrogen-powered-planes-almost-ready-for-takeoff/", "date": "Aug 09, 2023" } ], "launches": [] }, { "id": 26880, "name": "Airhart Aeronautics", "slug": "airhart-aeronautics", "former_names": [], "small_logo_thumb_url": "https://bookface-images.s3.amazonaws.com/small_logos/8754b2c358df7ab9263e0a74ddf008cb7c8cee4d.png", "website": "https://www.airhartaero.com/", "all_locations": "Los Angeles, CA, USA", "long_description": "Airhart is making airplanes anyone can fly. Our semi-autonomous tech will enable 10x more people to fly their own planes and make flying to Tahoe as easy as driving to the grocery store\r\n", "one_liner": "Airplanes anyone can fly", "team_size": 9, "industry": "Industrials", "subindustry": "Industrials -> Aviation and Space", "launched_at": 1658522825, "tags": [ "Airplanes", "Aerospace" ], "tags_highlighted": [], "top_company": false, "isHiring": true, "nonprofit": false, "batch": "Summer 2022", "status": "Active", "industries": [ "Industrials", "Aviation and Space" ], "regions": [ "United States of America", "America / Canada", "Remote", "Partly Remote" ], "stage": "Early", "app_video_public": false, "demo_day_video_public": false, "app_answers": null, "question_answers": null, "url": "https://www.ycombinator.com/companies/airhart-aeronautics", "api": "https://devasheeshg.github.io/yc-api/batches/summer-2022/airhart-aeronautics.json", "year_founded": 2022, "city": "Los Angeles", "country": "US", "linkedin_url": "https://www.linkedin.com/company/airhart-aeronautics/", "x_url": "", "fb_url": null, "cb_url": null, "github_url": null, "logo_url": "https://bookface-images.s3.amazonaws.com/small_logos/8754b2c358df7ab9263e0a74ddf008cb7c8cee4d.png", "app_video_url": null, "dday_video_url": null, "company_photos": [], "primary_partner": { "name": "Gustaf Alstromer", "url": "https://www.ycombinator.com/people/gustaf-alstromer" }, "founders": [ { "user_id": 1018211, "full_name": "Nikita Ermoshkin", "title": "Founder", "founder_bio": "Nikita Ermoshkin is an electrical and systems engineer with a degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Cornell University. Nikita was an avionics systems engineer at SpaceX, where he worked on Falcon 9 Fairing recovery, Falcon 9 Payload design, Falcon 9 Stage 2 avionics, and several other projects. Prior to SpaceX and Cornell, Nikita was a co-founder and systems architect at Carbon, where he worked on the development of Carbon's 3D printing technology and printer architecture.", "is_active": true, "linkedin_url": "https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikita-ermoshkin-0727357b/", "x_url": "", "avatar_thumb_url": "https://bookface-images.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/avatars/fd240ad78616a77e03cb4552b71efbb1756a71b7.jpg" } ], "jobs": [ { "id": 103737, "title": "Avionics Manufacturing Engineer II", "url": "https://www.ycombinator.com/companies/airhart-aeronautics/jobs/laqGY6m-avionics-manufacturing-engineer-ii", "location": "Long Beach, CA, US", "type": "Full-time", "role": "Engineering", "role_type": "Hardware", "salary_range": "$125K - $155K", "equity_range": "0.10% - 0.30%", "experience": "1+ years", "visa": "US citizen/visa only", "skills": [] }, { "id": 105569, "title": "Electrical Engineer", "url": "https://www.ycombinator.com/companies/airhart-aeronautics/jobs/60uB4nV-electrical-engineer", "location": "Long Beach, CA, US", "type": "Full-time", "role": "Engineering", "role_type": "Electrical", "salary_range": "$105K - $135K", "equity_range": "0.05% - 0.20%", "experience": "Any (new grads ok)", "visa": "US citizen/visa only", "skills": [] } ], "news": [ { "title": "Super-simplified aircraft promises pilots a car-like flying experience", "url": "https://newatlas.com/aircraft/airhart-sling-simplified-airplane/", "date": "Oct 15, 2024" } ], "launches": [ { "id": 71635, "title": "✈️ Airhart Sling: The first fly-by-wire personal airplane", "tagline": "Airhart is making airplanes that anyone can fly. Our advanced flight control systems make flying to Tahoe as easy as driving to the grocery store.", "body": "At Airhart, we are building airplanes anyone can fly. We’ve been working on our vehicle for close to a year now and are thrilled to announce we are working with Sling Aircraft in developing our first fully fly-by-wire and easy-to-fly airplane: the **Airhart Sling**!\n\n![](https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/64085db05268829a421ce823/6462978da8bca97ce08640ac_OUTDOOR%20A%20RED.png)\n\n**Why are we building airplanes?**\n\nCommon small planes today look, feel, and fly the same way a car from the 1960’s looks, feels, and drives because they were designed and built in that same time. Today, many people don’t see themselves being able to drive a 1960’s manual transmission car, much less a plane from the same era.\n\nLearning the motor skills required to fly a plane today like this adds time, costs, and training complexity. Around [70 to 80%](https://download.aopa.org/epilot/2011/AOPA_Research-The_Flight_Training_Experience.pdf) of aspiring pilots drop out before getting their Private Pilot License citing these as reasons.\n\n**What is the Airhart Sling?**\n\nBased on the [Sling TSi](https://slingaircraft.com/aircraft/sling-tsi/), it will possess all the excellent features typical of a TSi:\n\n* capacity for four people (including the pilot)\n* a cruise speed of 148 KTAS,\n* a range of 800 nautical miles\n* only burning 7.4 gallons of fuel per hour.\n\nThe Airhart Sling will feature Airhart’s easy-to-fly controls, creating a safe and user-friendly airplane that anyone can fly.\n\nRead more about the Airhart Sling on our website: \n\n**Asks**\n\n* Interested in getting an Airhart Sling when it is released or know someone who would be? **Reserve your spot** with a deposit: \n* Just think airplanes are cool? **Sign up to receive updates** on our blog as we make progress: \n* **Share us** with your airplane-loving friends!", "url": "https://www.ycombinator.com/launches/IdP-airhart-sling-the-first-fly-by-wire-personal-airplane", "votes": 8, "created_at": "2024-01-09T22:13:27.818Z" }, { "id": 64872, "title": "✈️ Airhart Aeronautics - Airplanes Anyone Can Fly", "tagline": "Airhart is making airplanes that anyone can fly. Our advanced flight control systems make flying to Tahoe as easy as driving to the grocery store.", "body": "We are [Nikita](https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikita-ermoshkin-0727357b/) and [Brendan](https://www.linkedin.com/in/brendanjohnquinn/) and we are excited to launch [Airhart Aeronautics](https://www.airhartaero.com/). \n\nAirhart is making **airplanes that anyone can fly**. Our advanced flight control systems make flying to Tahoe as easy as driving to the grocery store. \n\n**Our Story** \n\n![uploaded image](/media/?type=post&id=64872&key=user_uploads/1013063/00953193-9c63-431f-a09f-165a2d6a2b4e)\n\nNikita worked at SpaceX on Falcon and Brendan worked at Apple on the M1. We met at Cornell and led a project team building small unmanned air systems capable of autonomous takeoff, navigation, landing, target recognition, and obstacle avoidance for an international competition. \n\nWhen we were learning how to fly, Brendan was flying the classic Cessna 172 and Nikita was flying a Cirrus SR20 with a glass cockpit. We had built advanced control systems before and knew what it could and should feel like – these were not it. \n\n**The Problem**\n\nCommon small planes today look, feel, and fly the same way a car from the 1960’s looks, feels, and drives because they were designed and built in that same time. Today, many people don’t see themselves being able to drive a 1960’s manual transmission car, much less a plane from the same era. \n\nLearning the motor skills required to fly a plane today like this adds time, costs, and training complexity. Around [70 to 80%](https://download.aopa.org/epilot/2011/AOPA_Research-The_Flight_Training_Experience.pdf) of aspiring pilots drop out before getting their Private Pilot License citing these as reasons.  \n\n**Our Product**\n\nAirhart is building modern airplanes with advanced flight controls that enable anyone to fly safely and with ease. Our aircraft are built with intuitive fly-by-wire controls to expertly fly your plane where you direct it to go. Safety features constantly monitor for the most common causes of accidents and stop issues before they start. Fault-tolerant electronics maintain functionality even if components fail. \n\nThis summer we are going to fly an experimental airplane equipped with our advanced flight controls and demonstrate what flying should be. We will be documenting our efforts on [our blog](https://www.airhartaero.com/post/the-airhart-promise).\n\n**Our Ask** \n\n1. **Share us** with your friends who are **pilots** and **those would want to fly a safer plane.** \n2. For **Investors**, reach out to us at [founders@airhartaero.com](mailto:founders@airhartaero.com)\n3. **Reserve your spot in line** to purchase an Airhart A1 at : ", "url": "https://www.ycombinator.com/launches/GsK-airhart-aeronautics-airplanes-anyone-can-fly", "votes": 36, "created_at": "2022-07-25T19:00:18.825Z" } ] }, { "id": 27052, "name": "Quindar", "slug": "quindar", "former_names": [], "small_logo_thumb_url": "https://bookface-images.s3.amazonaws.com/small_logos/bab55689155fe5f27aa4e87f73ddcae81fde5f8b.png", "website": "https://www.quindar.space", "all_locations": "Denver, CO, USA", "long_description": "Quindar is a web app used by satellite owners to analyze, test and operate their constellation. For example, Airbus could use Quindar to operate their satellite fleet with minimal human intervention.\r\n \r\nWe’re six former OneWeb engineers who helped build the software platform that currently operates the second largest satellite constellation in the world.\r\n \r\nThe space industry is shifting from companies launching a handful of satellites over a decade, to launching hundreds of satellites EACH in just a few years. Our SaaS platform automates mission management and for a single engineer to operate hundreds of satellites instead of the traditional model of many engineers operating a single satellite.", "one_liner": "Datadog for Space", "team_size": 57, "industry": "B2B", "subindustry": "B2B", "launched_at": 1657040679, "tags": [ "SaaS", "Space Exploration", "Satellites", "Aerospace" ], "tags_highlighted": [], "top_company": false, "isHiring": true, "nonprofit": false, "batch": "Summer 2022", "status": "Active", "industries": [ "B2B" ], "regions": [ "United States of America", "America / Canada", "Remote", "Partly Remote" ], "stage": "Growth", "app_video_public": false, "demo_day_video_public": false, "app_answers": null, "question_answers": null, "url": "https://www.ycombinator.com/companies/quindar", "api": "https://devasheeshg.github.io/yc-api/batches/summer-2022/quindar.json", "year_founded": 2022, "city": "Denver", "country": "US", "linkedin_url": "https://www.linkedin.com/company/quindarspace", "x_url": "https://twitter.com/QuindarSpace", "fb_url": null, "cb_url": null, "github_url": null, "logo_url": "https://bookface-images.s3.amazonaws.com/small_logos/bab55689155fe5f27aa4e87f73ddcae81fde5f8b.png", "app_video_url": null, "dday_video_url": null, "company_photos": [ "https://bookface-images.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/attachments/eb74df9d489fd24264723c60dc4e452f5835c3c0.png" ], "primary_partner": { "name": "Harj Taggar", "url": "https://www.ycombinator.com/people/harj-taggar" }, "founders": [ { "user_id": 1003779, "full_name": "Nate Hamet", "title": "Founder", "founder_bio": "I'm one of the co-founders and CEO of Quindar. I've worked in the space industry for almost a decade doing electrical, software, and mission design for Lockheed Martin, OneWeb, and Orbital Effects. At OneWeb I helped architect the TT&C ground system that operates the second largest satellite constellation today. I went to undergrad and grad school at the University of Michigan studying aerospace and meteorology. In my free time I love to cook, travel, and participate in sports.\n\n", "is_active": true, "linkedin_url": "https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathanhamet/", "x_url": "https://twitter.com/NateHamet", "avatar_thumb_url": "https://bookface-images.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/avatars/5b9e8878237275fdc89545d82a051228d2940b55.jpg" }, { "user_id": 1003805, "full_name": "Sunny Bhagavathula", "title": "Founder", "founder_bio": "I am an astrodynamicist with experience flying telecommunication and Earth-observation satellites. After grad school at Michigan, I helped architect and build two high-fidelity flight dynamics systems with an emphasis on space sustainability. I am excited about lowering the barrier to orbit and providing tools for satellite owners to be responsible users of space through Quindar. Outside of work, I love to spend time playing and watching sports, rock climbing, cycling, and hiking.", "is_active": true, "linkedin_url": "https://www.linkedin.com/in/sandilya-sunny-bhagavathula-13780b47/", "x_url": "https://twitter.com/sunny_in_space", "avatar_thumb_url": "https://bookface-images.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/avatars/2e5353a917b85a01793b5949f7af76b9a5eea523.jpg" }, { "user_id": 1004204, "full_name": "David Lawrence", "title": "Founder", "founder_bio": "Dave Lawrence studied Aerospace Engineering at Texas A&M and since then has helped design and operate satellite systems at several companies, including Boeing, Iridium, and OneWeb. He has led in-orbit commissioning and systems integration campaigns for communications and earth observations satellites. He'll bring this experience to Quindar to build a satellite operations platform that enables access to space!", "is_active": true, "linkedin_url": "https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-lawrence-58663691/", "x_url": "", "avatar_thumb_url": "https://bookface-images.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/avatars/3f1dce5b72f83d9ff9c068e616032bcf08e50923.jpg" }, { "user_id": 1004233, "full_name": "Zach Meza", "title": "Founder", "founder_bio": "I am a software engineer with a B.S. in Computer Science from Stanford University with a concentration in Artificial Intelligence. Since graduating in 2016 I've worked on two satellite missions to develop the programs' mission operations software from the ground up; the software I've written to is still in use to operate the satellites and orchestrate the ground systems. At Quindar I serve as Head of Software alongside my five fellow cofounders, with whom I have worked for the last six years.", "is_active": true, "linkedin_url": "https://www.linkedin.com/in/zach-meza-25a832262/", "x_url": "", "avatar_thumb_url": "https://bookface-images.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/avatars/496f0180b0b044316bff00f7ead1f64625265df5.jpg" }, { "user_id": 1004278, "full_name": "Shaishav Parekh", "title": "Founder", "founder_bio": "A software engineer with a B.S. in Computer Engineering from Virginia Tech, Shai has worked as a consultant for Red Hat and gained industry experience in Finance, Insurance, O&G and Retail industries. He helped design the OneWeb satellite operations software and went on the build the scheduling software for another Earth Observation satellite operator. Outside of work he enjoys playing tennis, watching F1 and hiking.", "is_active": true, "linkedin_url": "https://www.linkedin.com/in/shaishavparekh", "x_url": "", "avatar_thumb_url": "https://bookface-images.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/avatars/1f86cda1424a89db61bfd2f9b8528a51baeaa8f2.jpg" }, { "user_id": 1003809, "full_name": "Matt Regan", "title": "Founder", "founder_bio": "I'm an aerospace engineer by study and a software engineer by trade. Since entering the workforce I've worked at a myriad of satellite and space missions from defense satellites to mega-consteallation for global internet. I am particularly excited about participating in the latest space revolution and working towards lowering the barrier of space for all interested parties. Outside of work, I'll usually spend time with friends, playing soccer, or watching any Michigan game. Go Blue!", "is_active": true, "linkedin_url": "https://linkedin.com/in/matthew-regan-a0a45238", "x_url": "", "avatar_thumb_url": "https://bookface-images.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/avatars/c716b4c3a4aaaad46ed0e5ad8a66ebc88b131469.jpg" } ], "jobs": [ { "id": 75569, "title": "Ground Systems Integration Engineer", "url": "https://www.ycombinator.com/companies/quindar/jobs/StWdN7T-ground-systems-integration-engineer", "location": "Irvine, CA, US / Arvada, CO, US", "type": "Full-time", "role": "Engineering", "role_type": "Backend", "salary_range": "$110K - $170K", "equity_range": "", "experience": "3+ years", "visa": "US citizen/visa only", "skills": [ "Amazon Web Services (AWS)", "GraphQL", "PostgreSQL", "Python", "Docker" ] }, { "id": 81302, "title": "Full Stack Engineer", "url": "https://www.ycombinator.com/companies/quindar/jobs/SeiWaR6-full-stack-engineer", "location": "Denver, CO, US / Irvine, CA, US / Remote (Denver, CO, US; Irvine, CA, US)", "type": "Full-time", "role": "Engineering", "role_type": "Backend", "salary_range": "$120K - $180K", "equity_range": "", "experience": "3+ years", "visa": "US citizen/visa only", "skills": [] }, { "id": 97467, "title": "Senior Director of Business Development - US Government", "url": "https://www.ycombinator.com/companies/quindar/jobs/MJ5TAxh-senior-director-of-business-development-us-government", "location": "Denver, CO / Los Angeles, CA / Remote (US)", "type": "Full-time", "role": "Sales", "role_type": null, "salary_range": "$200K - $250K", "equity_range": "", "experience": "5+ years", "visa": "US citizen/visa only", "skills": [] }, { "id": 97470, "title": "Ground System Integration Engineer", "url": "https://www.ycombinator.com/companies/quindar/jobs/gprSkiq-ground-system-integration-engineer", "location": "Denver, CO / Washington, DC / Los Angeles, CA / Remote (US)", "type": "Full-time", "role": "Engineering", "role_type": "Full stack", "salary_range": "$110K - $170K", "equity_range": "", "experience": "Any (new grads ok)", "visa": "US citizen/visa only", "skills": [] }, { "id": 97471, "title": "Vice President of Programs & Operations", "url": "https://www.ycombinator.com/companies/quindar/jobs/9PB4olW-vice-president-of-programs-operations", "location": "Denver, CO / Remote (US)", "type": "Full-time", "role": "Operations", "role_type": null, "salary_range": "$240K - $275K", "equity_range": "", "experience": "Any (new grads ok)", "visa": "US citizen/visa only", "skills": [] }, { "id": 97473, "title": "Site Reliability Engineer (SRE)", "url": "https://www.ycombinator.com/companies/quindar/jobs/G1Yzjr6-site-reliability-engineer-sre", "location": "Denver, CO / Washington, DC / Remote (US)", "type": "Full-time", "role": "Engineering", "role_type": "Full stack", "salary_range": "$160K - $200K", "equity_range": "", "experience": "Any (new grads ok)", "visa": "US citizen/visa only", "skills": [] }, { "id": 97474, "title": "Forward Deployed Product Engineer", "url": "https://www.ycombinator.com/companies/quindar/jobs/OKuPkcq-forward-deployed-product-engineer", "location": "Denver, CO / Washington, DC / Remote (US)", "type": "Full-time", "role": "Engineering", "role_type": "Full stack", "salary_range": "$155K - $175K", "equity_range": "", "experience": "Any (new grads ok)", "visa": "US citizen/visa only", "skills": [] }, { "id": 97475, "title": "Mission Integration Engineer", "url": "https://www.ycombinator.com/companies/quindar/jobs/G4AVxez-mission-integration-engineer", "location": "Denver, CO / Washington, DC / Los Angeles, CA / Remote (US)", "type": "Full-time", "role": "Engineering", "role_type": "Full stack", "salary_range": "$150K - $180K", "equity_range": "", "experience": "Any (new grads ok)", "visa": "US citizen/visa only", "skills": [] }, { "id": 97476, "title": "DevSecOps - Site Reliability Engineer (SRE) / US Gov", "url": "https://www.ycombinator.com/companies/quindar/jobs/G7kpyIZ-devsecops-site-reliability-engineer-sre-us-gov", "location": "Denver, CO / Remote (US)", "type": "Full-time", "role": "Engineering", "role_type": "Full stack", "salary_range": "", "equity_range": "", "experience": "Any (new grads ok)", "visa": "US citizen/visa only", "skills": [] }, { "id": 97479, "title": "Backend Engineer", "url": "https://www.ycombinator.com/companies/quindar/jobs/vSfqxjM-backend-engineer", "location": "Denver, CO / Seattle, WA / Washington, DC / San Francisco, CA / Remote (US)", "type": "Full-time", "role": "Engineering", "role_type": "Full stack", "salary_range": "", "equity_range": "", "experience": "Any (new grads ok)", "visa": "US citizen/visa only", "skills": [] }, { "id": 97480, "title": "Staff Engineer, Ground Systems", "url": "https://www.ycombinator.com/companies/quindar/jobs/9MAtAIA-staff-engineer-ground-systems", "location": "Denver, CO / Remote (US)", "type": "Full-time", "role": "Engineering", "role_type": "Full stack", "salary_range": "$170K - $210K", "equity_range": "", "experience": "8+ years", "visa": "US citizen/visa only", "skills": [] } ], "news": [ { "title": "Quindar raises $18 million to scale satellite operations software", "url": "https://spacenews.com/quindar-raises-18-million-to-scale-satellite-operations-software/", "date": "Nov 19, 2025" }, { "title": "Booz Allen Ventures invests in space tech startup Quindar - SpaceNews", "url": "https://spacenews.com/booz-allen-ventures-invests-in-space-tech-startup-quindar/", "date": "Jul 11, 2024" }, { "title": "These Are 2024’s Top 50 Vertical SaaS Startups - Bain Capital Ventures | Venture forth, courageously", "url": "https://baincapitalventures.com/insight/these-are-2024s-top-50-vertical-saas-startups/", "date": "Jun 11, 2024" }, { "title": "Command and Control, with Nate Hamet (Quindar) - Payload", "url": "https://payloadspace.com/podcast/command-and-control-with-nate-hamet-quindar/", "date": "Mar 12, 2024" }, { "title": "Quindar Raises $6M Seed Extension and Partners with KSAT - Payload", "url": "https://payloadspace.com/quindar-raises-6m-seed-extension-and-partners-with-ksat/", "date": "Jan 30, 2024" } ], "launches": [ { "id": 64358, "title": "🛰 Quindar - Automated Satellite Operations", "tagline": "Satellite Mission Management as a Service", "body": "Hey everyone! **Today we’re launching** [**Quindar**](https://www.quindar.space/), **a web app used by satellite owners to track, contact, monitor and operate** **satellites from deployment into space until end-of-life.** For example, NASA could use Quindar to test and operate their satellites with minimal human intervention.\n\n![uploaded image](/media/?type=post&id=64358&key=user_uploads/1003779/68b30bb5-43ce-4cfc-87f5-ebfafd3e3cdc)\n\nWe’re six former [OneWeb](https://oneweb.net/) engineers who helped build the software that operates the second largest satellite constellation today – at 428 and counting. After OneWeb, we built another operations center for an earth imaging constellation but today we are building a unified platform for every satellite owner.\n\n### **The Satellite Industry Problem**\n\nCurrent satellite mission software solutions are a mix of COTS products that was built over 20 years ago.\n\n* ☁️  Not cloud native\n* 🛰  Created for a handful of satellites\n* 🔐  Outdated security\n* 💽  Rarely web native\n\nThere are 4,500 active satellites in orbit today however **1,700 will be launched** **each year** through 2030. The space industry is shifting from companies launching a handful of satellites over a decade, to launching hundreds of satellites in just a few years.\n\n**The traditional model of many engineers operating a few satellites doesn’t scale.**\n\n### **The Quindar Solution**\n\nQuindar provides satellite mission management as a service. Our platform:\n\n* Allows only a single engineer to operate hundreds of satellites.\n* Includes the software to track, contact, and monitor satellites. No installation required.\n* Integrates seamlessly with AWS and Atlas antennas (more to come).\n* Aggregates and analyzes satellite, antenna, and infrastructure anomalies.\n* Accessible from any phone or computer.\n* Built on AWS GovCloud with the latest FedRAMP and NIST security controls.\n\n### **Why the world needs Quindar**\n\nOur mission is to democratize space. To be the IT for what are essentially flying servers. Customers need to focus on their mission - image collection and resolution, docking to another spacecraft, landing on an asteroid, or broadband from space and let us manage the infrastructure and software utility that supports it.\n\n### **How you can help**\n\n**If you, your friends, or colleagues are trying to launch a satellite please reach out to us at** [**founders@quindar.space**](mailto:founders@quindar.space)**.** We’d love to save them the pain of building and managing a software team and all the gotcha’s that come with satellite ops! Friends don’t let friends build their own mission ops 🙅.\n\nEmail: [founders@quindar.space](mailto:founders@quindar.space)\n\nWebsite: \n\nAd Astra,\n\n[@Nate Hamet](https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathanhamet/), [@Matt Regan](https://linkedin.com/in/matthew-regan-a0a45238), [@David Lawrence](https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-lawrence-58663691/), [@Sunny Bhagavathula](https://www.linkedin.com/in/sandilya-sunny-bhagavathula-13780b47/), [@Shaishav Parekh](https://www.linkedin.com/in/shaishavparekh), Zach Meza", "url": "https://www.ycombinator.com/launches/Gk2-quindar-automated-satellite-operations", "votes": 21, "created_at": "2022-07-06T00:59:39.013Z" } ] }, { "id": 27198, "name": "Velontra", "slug": "velontra", "former_names": [], "small_logo_thumb_url": "https://bookface-images.s3.amazonaws.com/small_logos/f91f60fef77675614e979bd8ce01941da0e92c40.png", "website": "https://www.velontra.com/", "all_locations": "Dayton, OH, USA", "long_description": "Velontra is building a hypersonic space plane that can takeoff from anywhere in any weather. This horizontal takeoff increases launch reliability and enables customers to directly access any orbit. Our air-breathing propulsion system is up to 6 times more fuel efficient than any rocket, and uses oxygen from the air which creates thousands of pounds of additional payload capacity. \r\n\r\nWe have millions in current government/commercial contracts and LOI’s. \r\n\r\nWe have assembled a team of industry experts, government senior executives, and a NASA astronaut. \r\n\r\nThe hypersonic space plane will work by taking off from any runway with a jet propulsion system. Next, it will climb to over 100,000’ and Mach 5. At this point, it will launch a 2nd stage rocket directly into the desired Low Earth Orbit. \r\n\r\nVelontra is “boldly going where no one has gone before.”", "one_liner": "Hypersonic space plane that can take-off from any location and weather", "team_size": 5, "industry": "Industrials", "subindustry": "Industrials -> Aviation and Space", "launched_at": 1657640799, "tags": [ "Commercial Space Launch", "Hardware", "Drones", "Aerospace" ], "tags_highlighted": [], "top_company": false, "isHiring": false, "nonprofit": false, "batch": "Summer 2022", "status": "Active", "industries": [ "Industrials", "Aviation and Space" ], "regions": [ "United States of America", "America / Canada", "Remote", "Partly Remote" ], "stage": "Growth", "app_video_public": false, "demo_day_video_public": false, "app_answers": null, "question_answers": null, "url": "https://www.ycombinator.com/companies/velontra", "api": "https://devasheeshg.github.io/yc-api/batches/summer-2022/velontra.json", "year_founded": 2021, "city": "Dayton", "country": "US", "linkedin_url": "https://www.linkedin.com/company/velontra/", "x_url": "https://twitter.com/Velontra", "fb_url": null, "cb_url": null, "github_url": null, "logo_url": "https://bookface-images.s3.amazonaws.com/small_logos/f91f60fef77675614e979bd8ce01941da0e92c40.png", "app_video_url": null, "dday_video_url": null, "company_photos": [], "primary_partner": { "name": "Jared Friedman", "url": "https://www.ycombinator.com/people/jared-friedman" }, "founders": [ { "user_id": 831322, "full_name": "Joel Darin", "title": "Founder", "founder_bio": "Most recently first employee at Hermeus where I designed, built and tested a Turbine-Based-Combined-Cycle prototype demonstrator up to Mach 4+. Prior to that I worked at GE Aviation in Afterburner Design. Before GE I was at Georgia Tech where I did research in computational fluid dynamic simulations of reacting flows while obtaining a MS in Combustion. I started at Michigan State University with a BS in Mechanical Engineering. ", "is_active": true, "linkedin_url": "https://www.linkedin.com/in/joel-darin-b329041a/", "x_url": "https://twitter.com/JoelDarin2", "avatar_thumb_url": "https://bookface-images.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/avatars/cabbc12ab839952af401dcec9f09d5c43951629d.jpg" } ], "jobs": [], "news": [ { "title": "An Ohio Hypersonic Engine Manufacturer is Blasting Off — in Business and Into the Atmosphere – TechOhio", "url": "https://weare.techohio.ohio.gov/2022/10/31/an-ohio-hypersonic-engine-manufacturer-is-blasting-off-in-business-and-into-the-atmosphere/", "date": "Oct 31, 2022" }, { "title": "Velontra Contracts with Venus Aerospace", "url": "https://www.aviationpros.com/aircraft/press-release/21279351/velontra-velontra-contracts-with-venus-aerospace-to-deliver-a-propulsion-system-enabling-airflights-around-the-globe-in-one-hour", "date": "Sep 04, 2022" }, { "title": "Greater Cincinnati startup Velontra lands spot in prestigious Y Combinator", "url": "https://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/inno/stories/news/2022/08/16/velontra-makes-y-combinator-summer-2022-cohort.html", "date": "Aug 16, 2022" } ], "launches": [ { "id": 65001, "title": "✈️ Velontra - Hypersonic space plane that can take-off from any location and weather", "tagline": "Propelling Innovation", "body": "Velontra is building a hypersonic space plane that can takeoff from anywhere in any weather.\n\nCheck us out at \n\n**Problem**\n\n1\\.     Conventional Rocket-based launch is expensive (>$5000 per kg)\n\n2\\.     Rocket launch cancellations cost satellite companies millions\n\n3\\.     Launch lead times are greater than 1 year\n\n4\\.     Satellite companies do not get launched into their desired orbits\n\n**Solution**\n\nVelontra is building a hypersonic space plane that can takeoff from anywhere in any weather.  This horizontal takeoff increases launch reliability and enables customers to directly access any orbit.  Our air-breathing propulsion system is up to 6 times more fuel efficient than any rocket, and uses oxygen from the air which creates thousands of pounds of additional payload capacity.\n\n![uploaded image](/media/?type=post&id=65001&key=user_uploads/848374/3cac1349-a095-4ac8-b60c-2753b8220b70)\n\n**Revenue Generating Products**\n\nHere are the steps of our tech development path.\n\n1\\.     Propulsion System\n\n2\\.     Supersonic UAV\n\n3\\.     Hypersonic UAV\n\n4\\.     Space Plane for Low Earth Orbit\n\n**How It Works**\n\nThe hypersonic space plane will work by taking off from any runway with a jet propulsion system.  Next, it will climb to over 100,000’ and Mach 5.  At this point, it will launch a 2nd stage rocket directly into the desired Low Earth Orbit.\n\n**Ask**\n\nOur Ask is for introductions to any company putting anything into orbit. We are pursuing LOI’s and customer discovery.", "url": "https://www.ycombinator.com/launches/GuP-velontra-hypersonic-space-plane-that-can-take-off-from-any-location-and-weather", "votes": 19, "created_at": "2022-07-29T15:23:52.592Z" } ] }, { "id": 27960, "name": "Radical", "slug": "radical", "former_names": [ "Radical Inc." ], "small_logo_thumb_url": "https://bookface-images.s3.amazonaws.com/small_logos/d6c4df45192bc64b3d0c669324d48fcd4465995d.png", "website": "https://www.radicalaero.com/", "all_locations": "Seattle, WA, USA", "long_description": "Radical’s StratoSats are autonomous platforms that provide satellite-like services on demand. They fly within Earth’s atmosphere to provide persistent, high performance infrastructure across applications in earth observation, connectivity, and more. Unlike satellites, StratoSats navigate freely without the need for rocket launches or orbits - reducing costs, increasing flexibility, and ensuring customers get the targeted coverage they need.", "one_liner": "Building persistent, high-performance infrastructure in the sky", "team_size": 6, "industry": "Industrials", "subindustry": "Industrials -> Aviation and Space", "launched_at": 1672782390, "tags": [ "Drones", "Satellites", "Aerospace" ], "tags_highlighted": [], "top_company": false, "isHiring": false, "nonprofit": false, "batch": "Winter 2023", "status": "Active", "industries": [ "Industrials", "Aviation and Space" ], "regions": [ "United States of America", "America / Canada" ], "stage": "Early", "app_video_public": false, "demo_day_video_public": false, "app_answers": null, "question_answers": null, "url": "https://www.ycombinator.com/companies/radical", "api": "https://devasheeshg.github.io/yc-api/batches/winter-2023/radical.json", "year_founded": 2022, "city": "Seattle", "country": "US", "linkedin_url": "https://www.linkedin.com/company/radicalaero", "x_url": "https://twitter.com/radicalaero", "fb_url": null, "cb_url": null, "github_url": null, "logo_url": "https://bookface-images.s3.amazonaws.com/small_logos/d6c4df45192bc64b3d0c669324d48fcd4465995d.png", "app_video_url": null, "dday_video_url": null, "company_photos": [], "primary_partner": { "name": "Jared Friedman", "url": "https://www.ycombinator.com/people/jared-friedman" }, "founders": [ { "user_id": 1045182, "full_name": "James Thomas", "title": "Founder", "founder_bio": "Co-Founder & CEO at Radical (W23) - Radical makes high altitude solar-powered aircraft. Our aircraft are able to fly continuously in the stratosphere without landing. They provide an inexpensive, zero-emissions way to connect and observe earth like never before. Prior to this I worked at Amazon Prime Air for six years (doing aerodynamics and aircraft design for delivery drones).", "is_active": true, "linkedin_url": "https://www.linkedin.com/in/james0thomas/", "x_url": "", "avatar_thumb_url": "https://bookface-images.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/avatars/0b7c185c49f67aa098d46078a656757ddd68860c.jpg" }, { "user_id": 1094918, "full_name": "Cyriel Notteboom", "title": "Founder", "founder_bio": "Co-Founder & CTO at Radical (W23) - Radical makes high altitude solar-powered aircraft. Our aircraft are able to fly continuously in the stratosphere without landing. They provide an inexpensive, zero-emissions way to connect and observe earth like never before. Prior to this I worked at Amazon Prime Air for six years (mechanical design, structural analysis and optimization of delivery drones).", "is_active": true, "linkedin_url": "https://www.linkedin.com/in/cyriel-notteboom/", "x_url": "", "avatar_thumb_url": "https://bookface-images.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/avatars/52ba6749c239ca49f3b800e92c8ca7c455d74f72.jpg" } ], "jobs": [], "news": [ { "title": "Radical thinks the time has come for solar-powered, high-altitude autonomous aircraft | TechCrunch", "url": "https://techcrunch.com/2024/04/24/radical-thinks-the-time-has-come-for-solar-powered-high-altitude-autonomous-aircraft/amp/", "date": "Apr 24, 2024" } ], "launches": [ { "id": 68187, "title": "Radical ✈️ High-altitude solar-powered aircraft", "tagline": "Solar aircraft for connectivity, observation, and sensing, from the stratosphere", "body": "Hi [👋](https://emojipedia.org/waving-hand/#:\\~:text=A%20hand%20waving%20most%20commonly,to%20Emoji%201.0%20in%202015.) [James](https://www.linkedin.com/in/james0thomas/) and [Cyriel](https://www.linkedin.com/in/cyriel-notteboom/) here to introduce [Radical](https://www.radicalaero.com/)!\n\nRadical makes high altitude solar-powered aircraft. Our aircraft are able to fly continuously in the stratosphere without landing. They provide an inexpensive, zero-emissions way to connect and observe earth like never before.\n\n![uploaded image](/media/?type=post&id=68187&key=user_uploads/1045182/65f89115-af17-4432-ae79-3fcbeb7b2bc5)\n\n### **Why Solar aircraft?**\n\nOur aircraft is designed to fly over specific areas for months, carrying various payloads for tasks like imagery, sensing, and telecommunications. What we’re building behaves like a drone in some ways, and like a satellite in other ways. Much like satellites, we’re able to provide service for long periods of time, but we’re also much closer to users (we fly at around 70,000 ft / 20 km altitude) and able to maneuver or remain over an area of interest. This makes what we’re building really well suited to applications that require continuous coverage or high-resolution/bandwidth data. Applications include:\n\n* Providing cell service or internet coverage\n* Aerial imagery and mapping\n* Meteorology and atmospheric sensing\n* Emergency response\n\n![uploaded image](/media/?type=post&id=68187&key=user_uploads/1045182/893208ea-fa0f-46bc-9dc7-b93042439b94)\n\n### **How it works**\n\nOur aircraft is battery electric and driven by propellers. It has a large wing for high aerodynamic efficiency and to generate the necessary lift required to fly in the thin air of the stratosphere. The wing is covered in solar cells, during the day, these power the aircraft and charge its batteries. Through the night, battery energy is deployed to continue flight. We repeat this process daily, enabling us to fly for many months without needing to land. Ultimately, battery cycle life is what limits our aircraft’s flight endurance - and we can land, carry out simple maintenance tasks and then re-launch to continue flying.\n\n### **Ask**\n\nWe’re hiring and working with customers! If you’re interested in making use of this technology or working on challenging physics technology then get in touch!", "url": "https://www.ycombinator.com/launches/Hjn-radical-high-altitude-solar-powered-aircraft", "votes": 37, "created_at": "2023-01-04T19:12:42.475Z" } ] }, { "id": 28593, "name": "HyLight", "slug": "hylight", "former_names": [], "small_logo_thumb_url": "https://bookface-images.s3.amazonaws.com/small_logos/5bcbb9e93eb3ebbc3a622b3826ec8c2df9b276d7.png", "website": "https://www.hylight.aero/", "all_locations": "Paris, Île-de-France, France", "long_description": "HyLight builds and operates the HyLighters. Our autonomous airships for long range monitoring. We focus on critical infrastructure inspections:\r\n- detecting methane leaks on pipelines.\r\n- defects & vegetation risks on power lines.\r\n- defects & vegetation risks on railways.\r\n\r\nOur innovation, the HyLighter, is a crossover between drone and airship technology. Like a drone, it is easily controllable and transportable. And, like an airship, it is extremely energy-efficient, enabling it to fly for up to 10 hours at slow speed (22mph) for optimal data collection which represents a range of 220miles. \r\n\r\nToday, energy infrastructure operators struggle with conducting inspections that are simultaneously: massive and precise. HyLight offers a solution to precisely detect issues on the infrastructure at an industrial scale, and all of this without emitting GHGs.\r\n\r\nWe are 3 co-founders experienced in hardware and energy companies with Masters in Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science and Business from the best Engineering and Business School in France.\r\n\r\nWe have manufactured 20 HyLighter and are deploying across Europe.", "one_liner": "Unmanned airships for inspecting our critical assets", "team_size": 37, "industry": "Industrials", "subindustry": "Industrials -> Climate", "launched_at": 1687803555, "tags": [ "Hydrogen Energy", "B2B", "Climate", "Energy", "Aerospace" ], "tags_highlighted": [], "top_company": false, "isHiring": true, "nonprofit": false, "batch": "Summer 2023", "status": "Active", "industries": [ "Industrials", "Climate" ], "regions": [ "France", "Europe" ], "stage": "Early", "app_video_public": false, "demo_day_video_public": true, "app_answers": null, "question_answers": null, "url": "https://www.ycombinator.com/companies/hylight", "api": "https://devasheeshg.github.io/yc-api/batches/summer-2023/hylight.json", "year_founded": 2022, "city": "Paris", "country": "FR", "linkedin_url": "https://www.linkedin.com/company/hylightaero", "x_url": "", "fb_url": null, "cb_url": null, "github_url": null, "logo_url": "https://bookface-images.s3.amazonaws.com/small_logos/5bcbb9e93eb3ebbc3a622b3826ec8c2df9b276d7.png", "app_video_url": null, "dday_video_url": "https://bookface-images.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/video_event/62/1694197321070-kiq5u588dbg-f467142732c5e07f85aa96a7b9c386f9/e4fb42eb165fd155d7f09286629d4578.mp4?X-Amz-Algorithm=AWS4-HMAC-SHA256&X-Amz-Credential=AKIAQC4NIECABPQ2AHNW%2F20261020%2Fus-west-2%2Fs3%2Faws4_request&X-Amz-Date=20261020T022713Z&X-Amz-Expires=3600&X-Amz-SignedHeaders=host&X-Amz-Signature=f7a0e201355b3d94e89b2cc6d7221794c8a51b43c1f4e770aae17bb2d8121f27", "company_photos": [ "https://bookface-images.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/attachments/3a84c7aa583e7ae282f0d5c2761491dd74d862f2.png" ], "primary_partner": { "name": "Nicolas Dessaigne", "url": "https://www.ycombinator.com/people/nicolas-dessaigne" }, "founders": [ { "user_id": 1294200, "full_name": "Thomas Laporte", "title": "Founder", "founder_bio": "Co-founder & CBO at HyLight | My goal is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. I do that by supporting utilities in taking care of their critical infrastructure (power lines, pipelines, railways etc) and helping them in detecting defects and risks before outages.\n\nThanks to HyLight, our clients replace an old, not adapted solution (helicopter and human based inspections) with a high carbon footprint by our offer (HyLighter based inspection) with zero carbon footprint and no risks for human crews.\n", "is_active": true, "linkedin_url": "https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomaslaporte/", "x_url": "", "avatar_thumb_url": "https://bookface-images.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/avatars/baa91f6567508aa8dbb57a8367c6b92040bcc085.jpg" }, { "user_id": 939194, "full_name": "Martin Bocken", "title": "Founder", "founder_bio": "Co-founder & CEO of @HyLight. I'm a doer at heart, my engineering background helped me to launch several entrepreneurial projects. 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We build small unmanned hydrogen airships to automatically gather massive amounts of precise data in a sustainable and cost-effective way.\n\n🚫 **The problem :**\n\nWe currently focus on:\n\n* 💨 Pipeline inspection to detect methane leaks (4% of global greenhouse gas emissions).\n* ⚡Power line inspection to prevent outages, reduce wildfire risks ($19 billion per year in the US), and ensure grid reliability.\n\nCurrent solutions (helicopters, airplanes, satellites and drones) are not adapted to make accurate, efficient and sustainable observations.\n\n✅ **Our solution** :\\\nOur solution is a crossover between drone and lighter than air technologies, using hydrogen as a lifting gas and power source.\n\n![uploaded image](/media/?type=post&id=72609&key=user_uploads/935793/71bfe7a3-7276-4501-a63f-19311f24fcb5)\n\nThis vehicle combines long range, high payload, and hovering capabilities\n\nWe have already built four prototypes, [two minimum viable products (MVPs)](https://youtu.be/MQLInmqLF7M), and are running a paid pilot with the largest power line company in Europe.\n\n🙏 **Our ask: How you can help**\n\n* **🤝 Refer:** If you know anyone that works in Oil&Gas or utilities please connect us ([thomas@hylight.aero](mailto:thoma@hylight.aero)).\n* **📣 Share:** Share this post with your network.\n* **🔔 Follow:** Follow us on [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/hylightaero).\n\nWe are building the perfect airborne platform to better observe, understand, and improve our world.\n\nJoin us for the flight!\n\n![uploaded image](/media/?type=post&id=72609&key=user_uploads/935793/56584ff9-a2da-41ab-985b-3a830e9f5f67)\n\n", "url": "https://www.ycombinator.com/launches/It7-hylight-hydrogen-airships-for-long-range-monitoring", "votes": 696, "created_at": "2023-06-28T14:55:01.605Z" } ] }, { "id": 29146, "name": "Singularity", "slug": "singularity", "former_names": [ "Singularity Space" ], "small_logo_thumb_url": "https://bookface-images.s3.amazonaws.com/small_logos/992f82455265202b720c9d34ee95f7a7b0ffbcc9.png", "website": "https://www.singularityus.com/", "all_locations": "Los Angeles, CA, USA", "long_description": "Singularity is answering humanity’s call to engineer counter-weapon systems at scale. 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Cameron has built rocket engines, satellites, hydrofoiling containerships, and autonomous trucks in his career at some of the top engineering companies in the world. \n\nFormerly at SpaceX, Tesla, Aurora Innovation, Astranis, and Boundary Layer Technologies.", "is_active": true, "linkedin_url": "https://linkedin.com/in/cameronflannery", "x_url": "https://twitter.com/cmflanne", "avatar_thumb_url": "https://bookface-images.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/avatars/985b89b1aca704cafbe63c9597fbc148a50491f9.jpg" }, { "user_id": 1438060, "full_name": "Evan Kay", "title": "Founder", "founder_bio": "Evan is an Aerospace Engineer and the co-founder of Navier AI. Evan formerly worked at SpaceX and General Atomics, where he was designing and metal 3D printing rocket engine and aircraft components. Prior to Navier AI, Evan was also a hard tech investor at Anzu Partners, where he invested in early-stage industrial technologies.", "is_active": true, "linkedin_url": "https://linkedin.com/in/evankay1", "x_url": "https://twitter.com/Evan_Kay", "avatar_thumb_url": "https://bookface-images.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/avatars/3ab60b72932efe798ad5b4dbffb6f0b8db7f4d6e.jpg" } ], "jobs": [], "news": [ { "title": "AI engineering startup Navier raises $5.6M seed for hardware design", "url": "https://www.axios.com/pro/enterprise-software-deals/2025/12/15/navier-ai-engineering-hardware-design", "date": "Dec 15, 2025" }, { "title": "Rescale and Navier AI Partner to Accelerate Computational Engineering with AI Physics - Rescale", "url": "https://rescale.com/blog/rescale-and-navier-ai-partner-to-accelerate-computational-engineering-with-ai-physics/", "date": "Mar 13, 2024" } ], "launches": [] }, { "id": 29277, "name": "Basalt", "slug": "basalt", "former_names": [ "Basalt Tech" ], "small_logo_thumb_url": "https://bookface-images.s3.amazonaws.com/small_logos/bdc6db574181bc5f564f9fcdee3e3a8f66a68b75.png", "website": "https://basalt.space/", "all_locations": "San Francisco, CA, USA", "long_description": "Basalt is building Constellations as a Service, self-flying satellite constellations tailored for private enterprise and the government without any prior aerospace experience needed! Powered by our Diamond AI, Basalt provides a seamless experience, enabling users to fly and stream data and images from their own dedicated satellite constellation onto their phones and laptops. \r\n\r\nBasalt received its seed investment as part of the Y Combinator W24 batch, and has since launched Spirit-EEL, the world's first AI-controlled satellite constellation.", "one_liner": "Constellations as a Service", "team_size": 10, "industry": "Industrials", "subindustry": "Industrials -> Aviation and Space", "launched_at": 1706583323, "tags": [ "Satellites", "Aerospace", "Automation", "Defense", "AI" ], "tags_highlighted": [], "top_company": false, "isHiring": false, "nonprofit": false, "batch": "Winter 2024", "status": "Active", "industries": [ "Industrials", "Aviation and Space" ], "regions": [ "United States of America", "America / Canada", "Remote", "Partly Remote" ], "stage": "Early", "app_video_public": false, "demo_day_video_public": false, "app_answers": null, "question_answers": null, "url": "https://www.ycombinator.com/companies/basalt", "api": "https://devasheeshg.github.io/yc-api/batches/winter-2024/basalt.json", "year_founded": 2023, "city": "San Francisco", "country": "US", "linkedin_url": "https://www.linkedin.com/company/basaltspace", "x_url": "https://x.com/basaltspace", "fb_url": "https://www.instagram.com/basaltspace/", "cb_url": null, "github_url": null, "logo_url": "https://bookface-images.s3.amazonaws.com/small_logos/bdc6db574181bc5f564f9fcdee3e3a8f66a68b75.png", "app_video_url": null, "dday_video_url": null, "company_photos": [ "https://bookface-images.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/attachments/9482e25ecc0eac97d7c8dc02f03c47fe3739d9d0.png" ], "primary_partner": { "name": "Tyler Bosmeny", "url": "https://www.ycombinator.com/people/tyler-bosmeny" }, "founders": [ { "user_id": 1408579, "full_name": "Maximillian Bhatti", "title": "Founder/CEO", "founder_bio": "CEO & Co-Founder of Basalt // I was working at Caltech’s fusion lab when I was hired out of high school to work at MIT AeroAstro on their CubeSat mission.\n\nSince then, I’ve spent stints at The Aerospace Corporation and SpaceX working on distributed space systems and the American moon landing. Most recently, I dropped out to build Basalt. My hobbies include hiking and buying infinite whiteboards.", "is_active": true, "linkedin_url": "https://www.linkedin.com/in/maximillian-bhatti/", "x_url": "https://x.com/basaltceo", "avatar_thumb_url": "https://bookface-images.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/avatars/fa5c88bf380ea1ee2c488803a898e62d87b310be.jpg" } ], "jobs": [], "news": [ { "title": "Basalt Space and Bay Area Rivals Aim to End Starlink's Constellation Monopoly", "url": "https://spacedaily.com/sd-n-basalt-space-and-bay-area-rivals-aim-to-end-starlinks-constellation-monopoly/", "date": "May 05, 2026" }, { "title": "Welcome to the Great American Satellite Age | WIRED", "url": "https://www.wired.com/story/welcome-to-the-great-american-satellite-age/", "date": "May 04, 2026" } ], "launches": [ { "id": 79293, "title": "Basalt Tech - Windows for Spacecraft", "tagline": "Building the world’s first satellite operating system.", "body": "\n\n# **Windows for Spacecraft: Basalt Dispatch**\n\n![uploaded image](/media/?type=post&id=79293&key=user_uploads/1408579/b881339f-9903-4801-ada1-3aad37a29dd9)\n\n_Fig 1. - Dispatch simulation engine based on open source NASA code. The graphics have room for improvement!_\n\n**Dispatch** is the first satellite OS. It provides a common software infrastructure to allows fleets of dissimilar satellites to work together:\n\n* **Tasking**: Image geographic areas in visible, infrared, or radar.\n* **Radio and Telecom:** Manage in-orbit networks and signals intelligence collection.\n* **Orbital Security**: Monitor and inspect other space assets.\n\nNew or external software modules can also easily be integrated, rather than being rewritten for each individual satellite. \n\nThere are over 65,000 satellites licensed to be launched by 2030. That’s over $100B of assets whose value comes from the bytes of data they send down. Right now, that data pipeline includes email, whiteboards, and Excel.\n\n**Dispatch is here to change that, and bring autonomy into orbit, for every mission.**\n\n### **Background**\n\nFlight operations still rely on manual processes and highly custom software. While this is acceptable for single, high-value missions, the need to manage large, flexible satellite fleets challenges that status quo.\n\n![uploaded image](/media/?type=post&id=79293&key=user_uploads/1408579/d4de8161-592c-4be8-93fa-852119b3f0da)\n\n_Fig 2 - ESA Visualization of active and defunct satellites around Earth._\n\nThis type of modular software infrastructure has been implemented in-house before, usually on specific hardware. (Think individual custom OS’s before Windows.)\n\nRight now, there is no solution for space companies or government agencies other than to take on massive in-house development, or scale up their operations staff. This is the story we’ve heard over and over talking to flight directors and CEOs.\n\n**The innovation Dispatch brings is its universality - Dispatch allows this functionality to be brought to any space asset out-of-the-box.**\n\n### **Recent Progress**\n\n![uploaded image](/media/?type=post&id=79293&key=user_uploads/1408579/3e274d18-5163-4a31-aaff-cd4862d8b753)\n\n_Fig 3 - Alex and Max at the National University of Singapore. We are beginning an effort to revive one of their satellites with our software._\n\nOne month ago we wrote our first line of code. Today, after 2 weeks of travel, we have kicked off collaborations with some of the leading space systems institutions around the globe.\n\n* **Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), United States**\n * Industry presence in MIT AeroAstro’s Space Systems class, which trains the next generation of space engineers.\n * Integration of MIT flight operations applications into OS.\n * Ongoing collaboration with STAR Lab missions.\n* **University of Toronto, Canada**\n * Project to revive HERON MkII on-orbit.\n * Collaboration on software stacks for HERON and FINCH missions.\n* **National University of Singapore, Singapore**\n * Project to revive Galassia-2 on-orbit.\n * Operations and teaching software for STAR Centre missions and classes.\n* **Aarhus University, Denmark**\n * Project to revive DISCO-1 on-orbit.\n * Collaboration on operations software integrations for DISCO-2 and 3 missions.\n\nWe have a line of university space programs around the world waiting to talk to us, but had to pause for fundraising in San Francisco.\n\n**Just a handful of academic space programs function as the source of almost all engineering talent in the space industry.** These collaborations are invaluable for our journey towards product-market fit, and provide a platform to gain flight heritage for Basalt.\n\n### **About Us**\n\nIn 2020, [Alex](https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-choi/) hired a 17-year old [Max](https://linkedin.com/in/maximillian-bhatti-1a9806266) to fix broken satellite radios in the back shed of a Los Angeles dentistry.\n\nOver the next few months, the duo would assemble a crack team of engineers in LA and Cambridge to bring MIT’s CubeSat program back to life. Six months later, the completed satellite was being integrated into the rocket for launch.\n\nWe have been close friends ever since, and have worked in research, commercial, and government space.\n\n### **Asks**\n\nCheck out our [website](https://basalt.space/)!\n\nInterested in how we can help streamline your mission? Set up a [meeting](https://basalt.space/contact).\n\nIf you’re in the govt. or commercial space industry, tell us what you’d like to see!\n\n* Reach out to: [founders@basalt.space](mailto:founders@basalt.space)\n* Phone number: (415) 385-7136", "url": "https://www.ycombinator.com/launches/Kcv-basalt-tech-windows-for-spacecraft", "votes": 15, "created_at": "2024-03-12T13:30:27.452Z" } ] }, { "id": 29381, "name": "Elodin", "slug": "elodin", "former_names": [ "Elodin Systems", "Inc", "Elodin", "Elodin Systems" ], "small_logo_thumb_url": "https://bookface-images.s3.amazonaws.com/small_logos/1c69ab06e9dcd05c2d8d6257e045ed1514a741f0.png", "website": "https://elodin.systems/", "all_locations": "San Francisco, CA, USA", "long_description": "Elodin creates flight software, simulations, and hardware for drones, satellites, and defense.", "one_liner": "Unified flight software and hardware for the mission of tomorrow", "team_size": 5, "industry": "Industrials", "subindustry": "Industrials -> Aviation and Space", "launched_at": 1705381687, "tags": [ "Hard Tech", "Drones", "Satellites", "Rocketry", "Aerospace" ], "tags_highlighted": [], "top_company": false, "isHiring": false, "nonprofit": false, "batch": "Winter 2024", "status": "Active", "industries": [ "Industrials", "Aviation and Space" ], "regions": [ "United States of America", "America / Canada", "Remote", "Partly Remote" ], "stage": "Early", "app_video_public": false, "demo_day_video_public": false, "app_answers": null, "question_answers": null, "url": "https://www.ycombinator.com/companies/elodin", "api": "https://devasheeshg.github.io/yc-api/batches/winter-2024/elodin.json", "year_founded": 2023, "city": "San Francisco", "country": "US", "linkedin_url": "https://www.linkedin.com/company/elodin-systems-inc", "x_url": "https://twitter.com/elodinsystems", "fb_url": null, "cb_url": null, "github_url": "https://github.com/elodin-sys", "logo_url": "https://bookface-images.s3.amazonaws.com/small_logos/1c69ab06e9dcd05c2d8d6257e045ed1514a741f0.png", "app_video_url": null, "dday_video_url": null, "company_photos": [], "primary_partner": { "name": "Gustaf Alstromer", "url": "https://www.ycombinator.com/people/gustaf-alstromer" }, "founders": [ { "user_id": 1618281, "full_name": "Daniel Driscoll", "title": "Founder/CEO", "founder_bio": "A technology adventurer experienced in tanks (and armored warfare in general), video games (playing and making them), sales/marketing & CRM/LMS/digital content platforms, real estate investment platforms, SaaS API platforms generally, blockchain technology (both core technology and services), and aerospace technology (specifically rocketry, guidance and control systems) ", "is_active": true, "linkedin_url": "https://linkedin.com/in/x46085", "x_url": "", "avatar_thumb_url": "https://bookface-images.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/avatars/f5e11cc37e499635e13c99cb5fe1dd69fa4a5dad.jpg" }, { "user_id": 1618322, "full_name": "Tom Gurka", "title": "Founder", "founder_bio": "One-man design and marketing team. Designer and product leader with 10+ years of experience spanning software UI/UX, brand development, and marketing communications. Includes working across early-stage startups and high-growth companies, with deep experience in design systems, motion and interaction design, prototyping, creative direction, and cross-functional product development.", "is_active": true, "linkedin_url": "https://linkedin.com/in/tomgurka", "x_url": "", "avatar_thumb_url": "https://bookface-images.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/avatars/fbe4b59a8f66a50f20b19335a450fab146e74e12.jpg" }, { "user_id": 1772157, "full_name": "Akhil Velagapudi", "title": "Founder", "founder_bio": "Grew up in New Jersey, and studied electrical + computer engineering at Rutgers. I entered the startup world with M10, where I worked on distributed systems and developed a passion for systems engineering. After M10, I went to Google to work on kubernetes networking, focusing of programmable data planes. I tend to spend my free time either reading fantasy/sci-fi or working on my homelab (which keeps growing).", "is_active": true, "linkedin_url": "https://www.linkedin.com/in/akhil-velagapudi/", "x_url": "", "avatar_thumb_url": "https://bookface-images.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/avatars/547d0a28b737b886cc131a86af1bfb6c3ec95b7d.jpg" }, { "user_id": 776143, "full_name": "Sascha Wise", "title": "Founder/CTO", "founder_bio": "Co-founder of Elodin Systems, developers of simulation tools for aerospace. I'm a software engineer by practice and a physicist by training. I've worked on a wide variety of projects throughout my career from a database for central banks to the flight software for a deep space mission. I'm passionate about building simple, elegant solutions to complex problems. In my spare time, I try and get outdoors as much as possible, which usually means climbing or skiing. ", "is_active": true, "linkedin_url": "https://linkedin.com/in/sascha-wise", "x_url": "", "avatar_thumb_url": "https://bookface-images.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/avatars/7a2528ecb1ae1a47f0febbcf408e7cb081ae00ba.jpg" } ], "jobs": [], "news": [], "launches": [ { "id": 77547, "title": "Elodin - CI/CD for Aerospace ✈️ 🛰 🚀", "tagline": "We help aerospace engineers rapidly design, test, and simulate control systems", "body": "### **TL;DR**\n\n[Elodin](https://www.elodin.systems) helps aerospace engineers rapidly design, test, and simulate control systems. For example, an engineer could use our Python physics toolkit, which automatically optimizes physics computations for GPU computing, to test a new satellite control system in minutes instead of hours.\n\n---\n\nHello everyone! We’re [Dan](https://linkedin.com/in/x46085), [Sascha](https://linkedin.com/in/sascha-wise), [Andrei](https://linkedin.com/in/andrei-khvalko), [Tom](https://linkedin.com/in/tomgurka), and [Akhil](https://www.linkedin.com/in/akhil-velagapudi/) from [Elodin](https://bookface.ycombinator.com/company/29381). \n\nDrawing experience from roles at AstroForge, Google, Salesforce, Spatial, and several startups. We discovered that the rapid iteration in cloud software was missing in the field of aerospace, so we were compelled to make the development experience better.\n\n---\n\n### **Problem**\n\nIf you want to build an autonomous drone today, you've only got a few options when it comes to testing.\n\n* You can write your control system, flash it to your flight computer, launch the drone, and watch it crash over and over again. \n* You can agonize over setting up a complex simulation using MATLAB, Gazebo, or something homegrown.\n\nThose choices are time-consuming, complex, and costly.\n\nNow, imagine you are building a satellite or an eVTOL aircraft; you have no choice but to set up a complicated simulation.\n\n---\n\n### **Solution**\n\nHow does Elodin prevent this complexity?\\\n**We don’t; we just do it for you.**\n\n![uploaded image](/media/?type=post&id=77547&key=user_uploads/1618322/9f285018-486c-4602-adb3-43297bf75961)\n\nCongrats! You can now simulate your drone's control system easily, but that's not enough. What if a massive windstorm comes around? What if the neighborhood dog decides to take a bite out of one of the propellers? You need to test your control system for any situation you can imagine.\n\n**Enter** - [Monte Carlo Testing](https://aws.amazon.com/what-is/monte-carlo-simulation/#:\\~:text=The%20Monte%20Carlo%20simulation%20is,on%20a%20choice%20of%20action.)\n\nMonte Carlo testing is when you run a simulation multiple times with randomized initial conditions. For example, you could run your simulation with randomized wind speeds.\n\nElodin makes running Monte Carlo simulations seamless, through our cloud platform. We let you run 100,000s of simultaneous simulations right from the comfort of your laptop. \n\nOur dream is that you run a full Monte Carlo test of your control system every time you push code to GitHub. Historically, this would be very costly and difficult to achieve.\n\n---\n\n### **What Elodin is**\n\n🐍 **Python physics library** - A toolkit for building custom physics engines using the GPU, imagine Tensorflow, but for Physics\n\n🎲 **Monte Carlo Cloud Runner** - A cloud runner that enables you to run your simulation in a scalable Monte Carlo fashion\n\n🌎 **3D Viewer** -  A live-reloading 3d viewer to share, inspect, and analyze your simulations\n\n![uploaded image](/media/?type=post&id=77547&key=user_uploads/1618322/d2e5c348-a7f8-47c4-8522-1025a8d966dc)\n\n**Try out our Alpha!** We have an early alpha sandbox prototype that showcases the real-time editing experience of Elodin but does not include our customizable physics engine or Monte Carlo support.\n\n![uploaded image](/media/?type=post&id=77547&key=user_uploads/1618322/effd2707-d83b-4dc4-9c1f-deea7f65fb74)\n\n---\n\n### **Our Asks**\n\n**Reach Out:** If you work with drones, satellites, or anything else with a control system, [schedule a call with our CEO, Dan](https://calendly.com/dan-elodin/30min), to discover how Elodin can streamline your design and testing processes\n\n**Share Your Insights:** We value your perspective! If you have any feedback or suggestions, we'd love to hear from you. Your insights are crucial to shaping the future of Elodin.\n\n**Connect Us:** Even if Elodin is not the perfect fit for your needs, you may know someone who could benefit from our platform. If you have connections in aerospace or related industries, we'd greatly appreciate sharing our website/demo with them or even better a direct introduction to [founders@elodin.systems](mailto:founders@elodin.systems)", "url": "https://www.ycombinator.com/launches/KAl-elodin-ci-cd-for-aerospace", "votes": 24, "created_at": "2024-01-16T14:54:27.097Z" } ] }, { "id": 29597, "name": "Spaceium Inc", "slug": "spaceium-inc", "former_names": [], "small_logo_thumb_url": "https://bookface-images.s3.amazonaws.com/small_logos/0afea0e3a81a3c4895401d9a1e4f5620a04a076b.png", "website": "https://spaceium.com", "all_locations": "Ottawa, ON, Canada", "long_description": "Spaceium builds fully automated space stations to refuel and repair spacecraft. We have secured $86.1 million in binding commercial contracts and have an additional $230 million in the pipeline. Additionally, we have 1 billion dollars in letters of intent. We have successfully tested our hardware, which will launch to space next year. \r\n\r\nOur fully automated space stations will efficiently store and transfer both cryogenic (extremely cold) and non-cryogenic fuels with zero loss during storage and transfer. And they can transfer fuel seamlessly to any spacecraft design using our proprietary modular robotic arm.\r\n\r\nOur customers include launch vehicles, orbital transfer vehicles, moon landers, and spacecraft that benefit from increased payload capacity and extended travel capabilities. Our long-term vision is to build service hubs along the space superhighway to connect Earth to Moon and Mars and help humanity to become multi multi-planetary species\r\n", "one_liner": "In-Space Refueling", "team_size": null, "industry": "Industrials", "subindustry": "Industrials -> Aviation and Space", "launched_at": 1715783569, "tags": [ "Hard Tech", "Robotics", "Space Exploration", "Aerospace" ], "tags_highlighted": [], "top_company": false, "isHiring": true, "nonprofit": false, "batch": "Summer 2024", "status": "Active", "industries": [ "Industrials", "Aviation and Space" ], "regions": [ "Canada", "America / Canada" ], "stage": "Early", "app_video_public": false, "demo_day_video_public": false, "app_answers": null, "question_answers": null, "url": "https://www.ycombinator.com/companies/spaceium-inc", "api": "https://devasheeshg.github.io/yc-api/batches/summer-2024/spaceium-inc.json", "year_founded": 2023, "city": "Ottawa", "country": "CA", "linkedin_url": "https://www.linkedin.com/company/spaceium-inc", "x_url": "", "fb_url": null, "cb_url": null, "github_url": null, "logo_url": "https://bookface-images.s3.amazonaws.com/small_logos/0afea0e3a81a3c4895401d9a1e4f5620a04a076b.png", "app_video_url": null, "dday_video_url": null, "company_photos": [], "primary_partner": { "name": "Brad Flora", "url": "https://www.ycombinator.com/people/brad-flora" }, "founders": [ { "user_id": 985204, "full_name": "Ashi Dissanayake", "title": "Founder/CEO", "founder_bio": "Co-Founder & CEO @ Spaceium (S24) \nI love space and grew up wanting to be an astronaut one day. I co-founded Spaceium to build space infrastructure for a better new space economy. 
\nI specialize in orbital mechanics and rocket propulsion systems. Previously, I worked on Aerodynamic models for NASA, built models for interplanetary transfers for an unmanned return mission to an asteroid in real time, and built rocket engines, payload structures, and recovery systems. ", "is_active": true, "linkedin_url": "https://linkedin.com/in/ashi-dissanayake", "x_url": "", "avatar_thumb_url": "https://bookface-images.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/avatars/e89b228c2cf8c0d080711c619dd0f4632d64e346.jpg" }, { "user_id": 1009478, "full_name": "Reza Fetanat", "title": "Founder/CTO", "founder_bio": "Co-founder & CTO @ Spaceium (S24).\nBelieve in developing in-space infrastructure to sustainably explore space and find a better place to call home, like the first caveman stepping out of their cave. Help humanity become a multiplanetary species.\nI led a rocket program at university. We successfully launched 3 rockets and became fastest growing team. \nFully developed 4 rocket engines and built a propulsion stability model. \nBuilt many robots including rocket tracker for recovery.", "is_active": true, "linkedin_url": "https://linkedin.com/in/rezafetanat", "x_url": "", "avatar_thumb_url": "https://bookface-images.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/avatars/e7e9c6e7386b210ae285efac855201ec036fdbcf.jpg" } ], "jobs": [ { "id": 92025, "title": "Embedded Software Engineer – Canada", "url": "https://www.ycombinator.com/companies/spaceium-inc/jobs/kq3uAHj-embedded-software-engineer-canada", "location": "Ottawa, ON, CA / Ottawa, Ontario, CA", "type": "Full-time", "role": "Engineering", "role_type": "Embedded systems", "salary_range": "$75K - $110K CAD", "equity_range": "0.10% - 0.50%", "experience": "Any (new grads ok)", "visa": "US citizen/visa only", "skills": [ "C", "C++" ] } ], "news": [ { "title": "Y Combinator grad Spaceium raises oversubscribed $6.3M for space re-fueling | TechCrunch", "url": "https://techcrunch.com/2025/01/23/space-re-fueling-startup-spacium-raises-6-3-million/", "date": "Jan 23, 2025" }, { "title": "Spaceium Partners Space Machines for Space Cryogenic Refuelling", "url": "https://spacewatch.global/2024/01/spaceium-partners-space-machines-for-space-cryogenic-refuelling/", "date": "Jan 16, 2024" }, { "title": "Spaceium and The Exploration Company Partner for In-Space Servicing", "url": "https://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=spaceium+and+exploration+company&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8", "date": "Sep 13, 2023" } ], "launches": [ { "id": 81561, "title": "🚀 Spaceium: Automated space stations that refuel and repair spacecraft in orbit", "tagline": "Enabling deep space exploration through unmanned service stations.", "body": "**TL;DR:** **Spaceium is building unmanned servicing stations in space to improve mission efficiency. Our stations will offer proprietary cryogenic fuel storage and transfer technology, enabling in-space refueling and providing robotic repair solutions, a capability that sets us apart. We aim to launch servicing stations in Low Earth Orbit in 2025 and expand to Geostationary Orbit, the Moon, and Mars by 2030.**\n\n\"Helping space explorers go \"where no man has gone before\" - Captain James T. Kirk :)\n\n**_ _** \n\nHi, everyone. We are [Ashi Dissanayake](https://linkedin.com/in/ashi-dissanayake) and [Reza Fetanat](https://linkedin.com/in/rezafetanat), the team behind [Spaceium](https://spaceium.com/).\n\n![uploaded image](/media/?type=post&id=81561&key=user_uploads/985204/76cbc58c-243e-410f-99ca-5eaa12bdeb79)\n\n**Here's a brief introduction:**\n\n**Ashi** is an Aerospace Engineer specializing in **Orbital Mechanics and rocket propulsion.** Ashi has worked on real-time simulation models for uncrewed return missions to asteroids and on **NASA-related aerodynamics projects**.\n\n**Reza** is also a space enthusiast and a Mechanical Engineer specializing in **Robotics, structures, and Cryogenics**. Reza has worked on revitalizing the **LR-101 engine, which was used on Atlas, Thor, and Delta launch vehicles.**\n\nWe first met while leading the University of Ottawa's rocketry team, where we built high-powered rockets to send scientific payloads to different altitudes. In our spare time, we enjoyed working together to build rockets in the backyard, sometimes leading to interesting experiences with backyard fires. 🔥\n\nThroughout our careers, we've noticed the constraints on space missions due to the lack of ability to refuel or repair spacecraft in orbit. The current solutions are costly, and a centralized location where spacecraft can refuel and repair is a massive necessity. We are on a mission to build the missing piece of space infrastructure that connects the space superhighway, Just like how service stations were built on Earth back in the day!\n\n# **The problem**\n\nAll spacecraft and space missions face a standard set of challenges. Fuel is a limited and difficult resource to transport. In the event of a significant issue, spacecraft cannot be repaired in space. These challenges have significantly hindered efficiency in current space missions and have been a substantial obstacle in humanity's quest to explore space further. \n\nUnlike a road trip where refueling is common and convenient, spacecraft face a unique challenge. Spacecraft cannot refuel along the way. Instead, they must carry all the fuel required for the mission from Earth. **An overwhelming 85% - 95% of the launch weight is fuel on a typical launch vehicle, with 80-90% burned off to reach orbit.** 🚀\n\nAs a result, spacecraft that transport loads in space (space tugs) can only perform, **on average, 25% as many missions as they're technically capable of due to the absence of refueling in space.** 🛰️\n\nFurthermore, even if a spacecraft wanted to carry additional fuel, it is not easy. Current spacecraft require cryogenic fuels such as liquid oxygen, methane, and liquid hydrogen, which must be stored and transferred at extremely low temperatures of -285°F. 🥶 Environmental factors in space, such as heat and radiation, increase the temperature of these fuels, causing them to boil off (vaporize).\n\nIn addition, **there is no current solution for spacecraft repair**. This means that today's spacecraft must operate flawlessly to maximize efficiency, which is only sometimes the case. For instance, Eutelsat Communications' satellites experienced power loss mid-mission with no option for repair, resulting in a **$30 million** revenue loss. **With Spaceium's multifunction robotic arm, the communication satellite could have been fixed.** 🛠️\n\n# **Solution**\n\n_Automated servicing stations in space 🌎🚀🛰️_\n\nOur primary solution aims to improve space missions' efficiency by addressing refueling challenges. **The developed cryogenic fuel storage and transfer technology is designed to store fuel without any boil-off for multiple years in space.** As a result, spacecraft can now refuel in space, carry more payload, and travel longer distances.\n\nTwo fundamental principles guide our proprietary Zero Boil Off (ZBO) technology. \n\n* Firstly, we prevent heat from entering the system through a unique tank design, insulation, and coating system. \n* Secondly, our innovative multistage closed-loop cooling system evenly removes the heat from the cryogenic fuel and transfers it to radiators, ensuring zero boil-off.\n\n \n\nOur cryogenic storage system is not only efficient but also highly scalable. Our current cooling system is **65% more efficient** than any other cooling system, and our scalable storage system can store up to 30 metric tons of fuel, making it adaptable to a wide range of space missions and requirements.\n\nAfter successfully addressing the challenge of transporting large amounts of space fuel, we turned our attention to developing technology for delivering this fuel to spacecraft in space. This is achieved through the use of a **multifunction robotic arm**. This advanced arm can securely dock with incoming spacecraft and initiate the fuel transfer. **The fluid system built within the arm allows the transfer of different fuel types through the robotic arm**. The built-in thermal system ensures that fuel is transferred to the customer's spacecraft at the correct temperature without any boil-off issues associated with cryogenic fuels in space.\n\nAdditionally, the same robotic arm is versatile enough to handle non-cryogenic fuels as well, providing a comprehensive solution for refueling spacecraft in space.\n\nIn addition to safe and efficient fuel transfer, the robotic arm is equipped with an interchangeable end effector designed for in-space repairs. In-space repairs are achieved through a fully automated robotic arm that can retrieve tools from a stored \"toolbox\" within the system. This innovative feature ensures that even in the event of a significant issue, spacecraft can be repaired in space, minimizing the risk of mission failure and maximizing mission efficiency.\n\nOur vision is to transform the space industry. Starting in Low Earth Orbit (LEO), our servicing infrastructure will progressively expand to encompass Geostationary Earth Orbit (GEO), the moon, and eventually Mars. We are on a mission to empower space missions to go further, explore more, and achieve what was once deemed impossible.\n\n**Who can benefit from our service stations in space** \n\n* **Launch vehicles** \n* **Orbital transfer vehicles** \n* **Space tugs** \n* **Moon landers** \n* **Satellites**\n\n# **Ask**\n\n* **Feedback, comments, or questions.** Reach out to us to learn how we can help with your missions.\n* **Warm Intros.** If you know or work with any launch providers, space companies, or satellite providers who could benefit from our service, please introduce us to them. 🛰 \n* **Follow.** Follow us on [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/spaceium-inc), [X](https://x.com/SpaceiumInc). Cool news coming soon\n* **Share.** Please share this post with your network so we can reach more space companies looking for refueling, repairs, and other services for their future missions. 👾\n\n# Email us [HERE](mailto:founders@spaceium.com).\n\nThank you!", "url": "https://www.ycombinator.com/launches/LDV-spaceium-automated-space-stations-that-refuel-and-repair-spacecraft-in-orbit", "votes": 30, "created_at": "2024-06-17T15:53:21.197Z" } ] }, { "id": 29650, "name": "Sorcerer", "slug": "sorcerer", "former_names": [], "small_logo_thumb_url": "https://bookface-images.s3.amazonaws.com/small_logos/543dab64586e13bb93c11e6012ecd070fb8c8a67.png", "website": "https://sorcerer.earth", "all_locations": "San Francisco, CA, USA", "long_description": "Sorcerer is deploying a global network of persistent airborne sensors to fuel advanced weather forecasting. Our high-altitude balloons collect 1000x more data than existing systems and are already used daily by meteorologists to track extreme weather across the US and Central America.", "one_liner": "Building a nervous system for the atmosphere", "team_size": 4, "industry": "Industrials", "subindustry": "Industrials -> Climate", "launched_at": 1720630564, "tags": [ "Hard Tech", "Hardware", "Climate", "Aerospace", "AI" ], "tags_highlighted": [], "top_company": false, "isHiring": false, "nonprofit": false, "batch": "Summer 2024", "status": "Active", "industries": [ "Industrials", "Climate" ], "regions": [ "United States of America", "America / Canada" ], "stage": "Early", "app_video_public": false, "demo_day_video_public": false, "app_answers": null, "question_answers": [ { "question": "What is the core problem you are solving? Why is this a big problem? What made you decide to work on it?", "answer": "Hundreds of terabytes of weather data are collected from satellites, ground stations, airplanes and weather balloons every day. A typical weather satellite costs more than $100 million to launch, and the US National Weather Service spends over a billion dollars a year _just on its sparse network of weather balloon stations_. A small handful of organizations then pipe that data into billion-dollar supercomputers to run the world’s most expensive physics simulations four times a day. Despite this cost, there are still places in the US [**where we don't know what the temperature is going to be two days from now**](https://web.archive.org/web/20240705002110/https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-environment/interactive/2024/how-accurate-is-the-weather-forecast/). And for the rest of the world that lacks adequate weather infrastructure? There’s always the [**weather rock**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weather_rock). AI models are upending the expensive physics simulations. These models are more accurate, running at higher resolutions for a fraction of the cost. But, like most AIs, weather models are hungry for _data,_ and the reality is that most of the world isn’t covered despite the costly infrastructure.This is because _direct_ observation (as opposed to satellite observation) is both incredibly impactful but also incredibly expensive. This cost leaves **most of the Earth without in-situ observations**. Oceans have especially poor coverage, and no matter how good your model is, you still need to know what’s happening over the Pacific today to predict the weather in SF tomorrow. Sorcerer is deploying a global network of low-cost, persistent weather drones to provide real-time data in previously unreachable locations. Our system collects 30x more observations than the entire global observation infrastructure at 1% the cost. We use this data to train a weather model that’s already competitive with best-in-class traditional weather prediction, while being 10,000x cheaper." } ], "url": "https://www.ycombinator.com/companies/sorcerer", "api": "https://devasheeshg.github.io/yc-api/batches/summer-2024/sorcerer.json", "year_founded": 2024, "city": "San Francisco", "country": "US", "linkedin_url": "https://www.linkedin.com/company/sorcerercorp", "x_url": "", "fb_url": null, "cb_url": "https://www.crunchbase.com/organization/sorcerer", "github_url": "https://github.com/sorcerer-corp", "logo_url": "https://bookface-images.s3.amazonaws.com/small_logos/543dab64586e13bb93c11e6012ecd070fb8c8a67.png", "app_video_url": null, "dday_video_url": null, "company_photos": [ "https://bookface-images.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/attachments/ffc46de4c072ee18d52ad35baaaefdb696ca57f7.png" ], "primary_partner": { "name": "Diana Hu", "url": "https://www.ycombinator.com/people/diana-hu" }, "founders": [ { "user_id": 563504, "full_name": "Austin Tindle", "title": "Founder/CEO", "founder_bio": "CEO at Sorcerer. Engineering and product leader of decacorn hardware teams. Previously Head of Product at SumUp, led acquisition of Fivestars (YC W11).", "is_active": true, "linkedin_url": "https://www.linkedin.com/in/austintindle", "x_url": "https://x.com/_austintindle", "avatar_thumb_url": "https://bookface-images.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/avatars/6907374cc6f41e1784fd922204f4bf1da1976e52.jpg" }, { "user_id": 1982858, "full_name": "Maxmillion McLaughlin", "title": "Founder/CTO", "founder_bio": "CTO of Sorcerer. Previously, first hire at Urban Sky where I led development of high-resolution stratospheric imaging systems for mapping cities and tracking wildfires.", "is_active": true, "linkedin_url": "https://www.linkedin.com/in/maxmclau/", "x_url": "", "avatar_thumb_url": "https://bookface-images.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/avatars/edec734a752bb1817cc9bc04e9089b0c5250788e.jpg" }, { "user_id": 1982860, "full_name": "Alessandro Vecchi", "title": "Founder/CPO", "founder_bio": "CPO of Sorcerer. I was employee #3 at Urban Sky, where I built their mission control software (\"the best in the world\" - US Secretary of Defense) and prediction engine from the ground up. Over 5 years of experience working with/dealing with forecast and weather data. Building software products since I was in high school.", "is_active": true, "linkedin_url": "https://www.linkedin.com/in/avecchi/", "x_url": "https://x.com/big_veech", "avatar_thumb_url": "https://bookface-images.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/avatars/665d0ba4bdc25d0c61592f32c2caa08dec803f04.jpg" } ], "jobs": [], "news": [ { "title": "Y Combinator startup Sorcerer raises $3.9M to launch more weather balloon", "url": "https://www.axios.com/pro/climate-deals/2025/06/12/sorcerer-seed-weather-balloons", "date": "Jun 12, 2025" } ], "launches": [ { "id": 83172, "title": "Sorcerer - Weather balloons that collect 1000x more data", "tagline": "Sorcerer builds weather balloons that last for over six months, collecting 1000x more data per dollar from previously inaccessible regions.", "body": "![](https://lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com/docsz/AD_4nXdhaRDb6jJZ-jlGUyRp-3-n13VeXn3891lqS1FiV2F80tyntvz2hIWMa4p-4IBuZ_jYh8C1Xg2_jlzBMtO-SSYSaiHp6nwjxQkUJ4iDx756wC7zfboXTd5DEVI3WaWNb0XbXGKK7w5rmDjUS4dW_8IbhaM?key=hflpXWIGtnGX0Lu39DmmlA)\n\nHey YC! We’re [Max](https://www.linkedin.com/in/maxmclau/), [Alex](https://www.linkedin.com/in/avecchi/), and [Austin](https://www.linkedin.com/in/austintindle/), the team behind [Sorcerer](https://sorcerer.earth).\n\n**The problem & background**\n\nHundreds of terabytes of weather data are collected from satellites, ground stations, airplanes, and weather balloons every day. In-situ weather observation has the most impact on weather models, but it’s incredibly expensive to collect. The US National Weather Service spends over a billion dollars annually _just on its network of weather balloons, stations, and aircraft sensors_. Despite this cost, there are still places in the US [where we don't know what the temperature will be two days from now](https://web.archive.org/web/20240705002110/https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-environment/interactive/2024/how-accurate-is-the-weather-forecast/). And for the 80% of the world that lacks any weather infrastructure? There’s always the [weather rock](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weather_rock).\n\n**The solution**\n\nWe’re launching a global network of persistent weather balloons to provide real-time data in previously unreachable locations. Each balloon remains airborne for over six months, completing \\~30 laps around the globe while navigating between sea level and 65,000 feet. We’re able to collect 1000x more data per dollar than current systems, and we use this unique data to train AI weather models that are up to 50% more accurate than today’s best forecasts. \n\n\n\n**The Team**\n\nAs founding engineer at aerospace startup [Urban Sky](https://www.urbansky.com/), Max developed the world’s first stratospheric ballooning systems for high-resolution imaging and wildfire tracking. As employee number three at Urban Sky, Alex built their mission control and flight prediction engine from the ground up (“the best in the world” - US Secretary of Defense). Austin was an ultralight flight instructor before he could legally drive and was most recently Head of Product at [SumUp](https://www.sumup.com/en-us/), shipping highly regulated hardware at scale.\n\n**How You Can Help**\n\n* **Industry intros:** We’d love to talk with aerospace, commercial aviation, ocean freight, logistics, and commodities trading execs (these folks think weather data is pretty neat)\n* **If you find one of our balloons near SF**: Sorry! It’s still a work in progress (and please get it back to us)\n\nWe’d also love to hear from you! Reach out any time at [austin@sorcerer.earth](mailto:austin@sorcerer.earth)  \n\nBest,\n\nMax, Alex, & Austin\n\n![](https://lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com/docsz/AD_4nXfcNhE481xXzkiV3QVQ7bg2bDc4PCU74OYnk6YZZJVbqnpL0CAUknXkFEocEj9MqXJOghGBGnQU0YWXMr9E2j-CeiVHbKLzwKy7PV33p0rM27WB1s_WpSsNZp7xV2fhDo5QnBEUXHJj501V8MDVTuF1-j0H?key=hflpXWIGtnGX0Lu39DmmlA)\n\n# ", "url": "https://www.ycombinator.com/launches/LdU-sorcerer-weather-balloons-that-collect-1000x-more-data", "votes": 84, "created_at": "2024-08-19T16:13:50.662Z" } ] }, { "id": 29680, "name": "Ares Industries", "slug": "ares-industries", "former_names": [], "small_logo_thumb_url": "https://bookface-images.s3.amazonaws.com/small_logos/c1bb6e6d5b88de1027f26cd87fddd83304d2d58e.png", "website": "https://aresindustries.com", "all_locations": "Los Angeles, CA, USA", "long_description": "", "one_liner": "Building low-cost cruise missiles ", "team_size": 2, "industry": "Industrials", "subindustry": "Industrials -> Aviation and Space", "launched_at": 1724193978, "tags": [ "Aerospace", "Industrial" ], "tags_highlighted": [], "top_company": false, "isHiring": false, "nonprofit": false, "batch": "Summer 2024", "status": "Active", "industries": [ "Industrials", "Aviation and Space" ], "regions": [ "United States of America", "America / Canada", "Remote", "Partly Remote" ], "stage": "Early", "app_video_public": false, "demo_day_video_public": false, "app_answers": null, "question_answers": null, "url": "https://www.ycombinator.com/companies/ares-industries", "api": "https://devasheeshg.github.io/yc-api/batches/summer-2024/ares-industries.json", "year_founded": 2024, "city": "Los Angeles", "country": "US", "linkedin_url": "https://linkedin.com/company/aresindustries", "x_url": "https://x.com/ares_industries", "fb_url": null, "cb_url": null, "github_url": null, "logo_url": "https://bookface-images.s3.amazonaws.com/small_logos/c1bb6e6d5b88de1027f26cd87fddd83304d2d58e.png", "app_video_url": null, "dday_video_url": null, "company_photos": [], "primary_partner": { "name": "Jared Friedman", "url": "https://www.ycombinator.com/people/jared-friedman" }, "founders": [ { "user_id": 1087615, "full_name": "Alex Tseng", "title": "Founder/CEO", "founder_bio": "Missiles are cool", "is_active": true, "linkedin_url": "https://www.linkedin.com/in/alextseng1/", "x_url": "", "avatar_thumb_url": "https://bookface-images.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/avatars/9d615e35e13fda89fe1eba4508c31bd3b01f6103.jpg" } ], "jobs": [], "news": [], "launches": [ { "id": 83257, "title": "Ares Industries - Building low-cost cruise missiles 🚀", "tagline": "We're building a $3M missile for $300k.", "body": "![uploaded image](/media/?type=post&id=83257&key=user_uploads/1087615/dea0086b-00cd-4322-b4ba-d670c17a85f8)\n\nHello, we’re Alex and Devan, and we’re building the low-cost cruise missiles the United States needs!\n\n**What we’re building**\n\nAres is building a new class of anti-ship cruise missiles. We are going to deliver the capabilities that the DoD wants in a form factor that’s 10x smaller and 10x cheaper.\n\nOur missiles will be compatible with existing launch platforms, deliver smaller payloads at high subsonic speeds, and take out ships hundreds of miles away. We’re focusing on ground and ship-launched variants to start but will expand into air-launched versions, as well as versions with extended ranges and different payloads.\n\n**Why we’re doing this**\n\nA war with China in the Taiwan Strait would look nothing like what we've seen in Ukraine or the Middle East. Wargames within DoD and military experts are in agreement that the most useful weapons in such a conflict would be long range anti-ship weapons or cruise missiles.\n\nThe United States is not adequately prepared. In a potential conflict, our stockpiles will run out in weeks, and we currently don’t have the industrial capacity to build at a rate that could win a war, much less deter China. Higher-ups in DoD are waking up to the problem, and generals such as Major General Cameron Holt and officials such as Chairman of the House Select Committee on China Mike Gallagher have echoed this sentiment.\n\nRecent conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine have shown that our weapons are too large, too expensive for the wars of today. Existing anti-ship cruise missiles are low-volume, multi-million dollar, 3,000 lb behemoths meant to take out large cruisers and destroyers.\n\nBut Chinese shipbuilding capability is far superior to ours, and we can’t make enough anti-ship missiles to counter. In addition, huge missiles aren’t needed to take out the smaller corvettes and frigates that make up the People’s Liberation Army Navy. And $3M missiles make even less sense to take out swarms of $200k small, unmanned surface vessels.\n\nThe DoD needs smaller, less expensive cruise missiles, and lots of them! But no one has delivered on that promise yet.\n\n**How we know how to do this**\n\nBoth of us have worked at multiple defense and munitions startups. [Devan](https://www.linkedin.com/in/devanplantamura) is an Army Psychological Operations and Navy combat veteran and has deep experience in operations and business development at well-funded defense startups. [Alex](https://www.linkedin.com/in/alextseng1/) was the first engineering hire at an earlier missile startup, built autonomous systems at Rivian and Stanford, and worked on turbojets at CSULB.\n\n**Where we’re at now**\n\nWe spent the summer building multiple prototypes and flight-testing them in the Mojave. In 11 weeks, we went from starting the company to flight testing with our own design. We are on track to deliver early working missile systems to our first customers by mid-2025.\n\nWe believe our vision for anti-ship cruise missiles can help fill the munitions gap that the US faces. At Ares, we would never wish for a war to occur. But by helping to rebuild our defense industrial base, we can make sure the United States is prepared to stop a conflict and save countless lives.\n\n**Our Ask**\n\nWe are looking for extremely talented aerospace engineers to help bring our prototypes to fruition. If you know any aerodynamics, propulsion, or GNC engineers who are interested in building something incredibly cool and want to make a positive difference in geopolitics, please send them our way!\n\n![uploaded image](/media/?type=post&id=83257&key=user_uploads/1087615/44076741-cbe9-4762-af9b-84e96db0c32e)\n\n", "url": "https://www.ycombinator.com/launches/Ler-ares-industries-building-low-cost-cruise-missiles", "votes": 75, "created_at": "2024-08-20T23:21:53.587Z" } ] }, { "id": 29814, "name": "Vendra", "slug": "vendra", "former_names": [], "small_logo_thumb_url": "https://bookface-images.s3.amazonaws.com/small_logos/929ad75b7088b9721f87d1e0e30daae50d49198f.png", "website": "https://vendra.io/", "all_locations": "San Francisco, CA, USA", "long_description": "Vendra makes it faster and easier to get custom parts manufactured in America. \r\n\r\nSubmit one RFQ and Vendra turns your technical requirements into custom manufactured parts - routing work through qualified US suppliers, gathering competitive quotes, and managing production through delivery.\r\n\r\nWe're ITAR registered and manufacture parts for American aerospace and defense leaders. Customers include Anduril, Mach Industries, Relativity Space, Castelion, and Planet Labs.\r\n\r\nSubmit an RFQ at www.vendra.io to get started today!", "one_liner": "Custom Parts, Manufactured in America 🇺🇸", "team_size": 10, "industry": "Industrials", "subindustry": "Industrials -> Manufacturing and Robotics", "launched_at": 1724084407, "tags": [ "Hardware", "Manufacturing", "Supply Chain", "Aerospace", "Defense" ], "tags_highlighted": [], "top_company": false, "isHiring": true, "nonprofit": false, "batch": "Summer 2024", "status": "Active", "industries": [ "Industrials", "Manufacturing and Robotics" ], "regions": [ "United States of America", "America / Canada" ], "stage": "Early", "app_video_public": false, "demo_day_video_public": false, "app_answers": null, "question_answers": null, "url": "https://www.ycombinator.com/companies/vendra", "api": "https://devasheeshg.github.io/yc-api/batches/summer-2024/vendra.json", "year_founded": 2024, "city": "San Francisco", "country": "US", "linkedin_url": "https://www.linkedin.com/company/vendra-hq/", "x_url": "", "fb_url": null, "cb_url": "https://www.crunchbase.com/organization/vendra", "github_url": null, "logo_url": "https://bookface-images.s3.amazonaws.com/small_logos/929ad75b7088b9721f87d1e0e30daae50d49198f.png", "app_video_url": null, "dday_video_url": null, "company_photos": [ "https://bookface-images.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/attachments/4494b730c0e5479cf91e29459b50918793f50ddd.png" ], "primary_partner": { "name": "David Lieb", "url": "https://www.ycombinator.com/people/david-lieb" }, "founders": [ { "user_id": 914508, "full_name": "Shan Mohta", "title": "Founder/CEO", "founder_bio": "CEO of Vendra. I'll help you get parts manufactured in America. I also built cool hardware at Skydio, Apple, & Microsoft.", "is_active": true, "linkedin_url": "https://www.linkedin.com/in/shanmohta/", "x_url": "https://x.com/shanmohta", "avatar_thumb_url": "https://bookface-images.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/avatars/ada4961bf89e49443bf458e132e7d04191be2aa5.jpg" }, { "user_id": 2050663, "full_name": "Anish Bhardwaj", "title": "Founder/CTO", "founder_bio": "CTO of Vendra. I build software.", "is_active": true, "linkedin_url": "https://www.linkedin.com/in/anish-b-00109695/", "x_url": "", "avatar_thumb_url": "https://bookface-images.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/avatars/939f8fa06c02f01535001b4aa0cb45b2d26837b3.jpg" } ], "jobs": [ { "id": 96225, "title": "Mechanical Engineer", "url": "https://www.ycombinator.com/companies/vendra/jobs/wdHYZmT-mechanical-engineer", "location": "San Francisco, CA, US", "type": "Full-time", "role": "Engineering", "role_type": "Mechanical", "salary_range": "$100K - $120K", "equity_range": "0.05% - 0.20%", "experience": "Any (new grads ok)", "visa": "US citizen/visa only", "skills": [] }, { "id": 110597, "title": "Supply Chain Manager", "url": "https://www.ycombinator.com/companies/vendra/jobs/TNILqFi-supply-chain-manager", "location": "San Francisco, CA, US", "type": "Full-time", "role": "Operations", "role_type": null, "salary_range": "$80K - $140K", "equity_range": "0.05% - 0.15%", "experience": "3+ years", "visa": "US citizen/visa only", "skills": [] }, { "id": 111490, "title": "Cloud Infrastructure & Security Engineer", "url": "https://www.ycombinator.com/companies/vendra/jobs/3z2bFVm-cloud-infrastructure-security-engineer", "location": "San Francisco, CA, US", "type": "Full-time", "role": "Engineering", "role_type": "Full stack", "salary_range": "$130K - $150K", "equity_range": "0.05% - 0.20%", "experience": "1+ years", "visa": "US citizen/visa only", "skills": [] }, { "id": 111491, "title": "Full Stack Engineer ", "url": "https://www.ycombinator.com/companies/vendra/jobs/pi7IbS4-full-stack-engineer", "location": "San Francisco, CA, US", "type": "Full-time", "role": "Engineering", "role_type": "Full stack", "salary_range": "$100K - $140K", "equity_range": "0.05% - 0.25%", "experience": "1+ years", "visa": "US citizen/visa only", "skills": [] } ], "news": [], "launches": [ { "id": 88957, "title": "Vendra - Custom Parts, Manufactured in America 🇺🇸", "tagline": "Vendra brings you fast quotes, rapid production, and direct access to US manufacturers ready to build your parts.", "body": "Hi YC, we’re [Anish](https://www.linkedin.com/in/anish-bhardwaj-00109695/) and [Shan](https://www.linkedin.com/in/shanmohta/) from Vendra!\n\n### **TL;DR**\n\n**Vendra is the best way to manufacture custom parts in the US, beating legacy platforms like Xometry and Protolabs at their own game.**\n\n[**Submit an RFQ today**](https://vendra-marketplace.io/) **to get fast quotes, short lead times, and experience the difference yourself. 🚀**\n\n\n\n# **THE PROBLEM**\n\nManufacturing is coming back to America, but getting your parts made is still a frustrating process. Existing platforms (like Xometry and Protolabs) hide suppliers from you, mark up your parts, and give you minimal control and flexibility.\n\nAlternately, you do a bunch of manual outreach to find suppliers, check if they have production capacity, see if they have the right equipment, can provide a quote quickly, can meet your tolerances and finish, follow-up a bunch of times, etc… Whichever option you use today - it sucks.\n\n# **THE SOLUTION**\n\nJust submit ONE RFQ on Vendra - **_that’s literally it._**\n\nWe match your parts to US manufacturers who meet your exact specs and automate all the manual sourcing steps. You receive multiple competitive quotes and lead times, collaborate directly with suppliers on design and manufacturing details, and choose exactly who builds your parts.\n\n![uploaded image](/media/?type=post&id=88957&key=user_uploads/914508/a65ec6d6-69cd-4490-a8f9-8089c0a00ef4)\n\nWe’re the **_only platform_** optimized for real-time production capacity. Need parts machined on a 5-axis CNC or printed on a large-format SLS printer? We’ll connect you exclusively with suppliers who have that exact equipment available immediately - **_so you get fast quotes and even faster production._**\n\nWe’re already trusted by Apple, Skydio, and leading aerospace and hard-tech startups. **_Our automation and capacity optimization have saved them up to 40% on part cost and cut lead times in half_** compared to legacy platforms.\n\n# **THE ASK**\n\n* Need parts made? [Submit an RFQ!](https://vendra-marketplace.io/)\n* Know someone who needs parts made? Send them this post or tell them to [submit an RFQ!](https://vendra-marketplace.io/)\n* Follow us on [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/vendra-hq/) and [X!](https://x.com/vendraHQ) Oh, and [SUBMIT AN RFQ!](https://vendra-marketplace.io/)\n\n![uploaded image](/media/?type=post&id=88957&key=user_uploads/914508/6c2e372e-651b-40e6-930d-96193dfb5e26)\n\n", "url": "https://www.ycombinator.com/launches/N8n-vendra-custom-parts-manufactured-in-america", "votes": 284, "created_at": "2025-03-25T16:40:06.168Z" }, { "id": 83256, "title": "Vendra - AI vendor and project management for hardware teams", "tagline": "We use AI to help hardware teams manage projects, files, and more with their vendors and suppliers - all with no change to their existing workflows", "body": "### TL;DR\n\n* Hardware engineers **_should_** spend their time building cool products, but they **_actually_** spend their time dealing with vendors and doing non-engineering work (digging through emails, searching for files, updating spreadsheets, etc.)\n* Traditional project management solutions don’t really work in hardware, and vendor communications inevitably revert to emails/text messages/WeChat/etc.\n* Vendra uses AI to understand these vendor communications, giving hardware teams modern project management and instant information lookup with almost no change to their existing workflow\n* We offer solutions to hardware teams at all stages - [book a demo today!](https://calendly.com/vendra-shan/30-minute-vendra-chat)\n\n### The Team\n\nWe’re [Shan](https://www.linkedin.com/in/shanmohta/) and [Anish](https://www.linkedin.com/in/anish-b-00109695/)! We’ve known each other since childhood when our parents moved from India to the same apartment complex in Santa Clara. Between us, we’ve built a lot of cool hardware (cameras for autonomous drones, AR/MR headsets) and cool software (ML for satellites, AI for the shipping industry).\n\n![uploaded image](/media/?type=post&id=83256&key=user_uploads/914508/f65f0c3b-ceef-4c41-b76f-0ded74c39615)\n\n### The Problem\n\nAs a former hardware engineer, Shan experienced the challenges of managing complex projects across a network of vendors, suppliers, and manufacturers. He saw hardware teams struggle to use traditional project management solutions with vendors because of the unstructured nature of projects and communications, security and access issues, and difficulties in the adoption of new processes. The workflow inevitably defaulted to emails, text messages, WeChat, etc., often leading to misplacement of crucial information.\n\nA 2021 report revealed that 70% of engineers still use email for external collaboration, struggling to track critical information across teams. 94% of engineers want faster access to data, and 29% often work with outdated information, leading to costly delays, reworks, and longer time to market.\n\nWe’re building Vendra to change that.\n\n### The Solution\n\n**Vendra uses AI to bring a smart project management suite and file repository to hardware teams working with vendors and suppliers - all with no change to existing workflows.**\n\nSimply connect Vendra to your email/WeChat/WhatsApp/Slack (or cc it to your conversations and threads):\n\n![uploaded image](/media/?type=post&id=83256&key=user_uploads/914508/0497419e-34ee-4f22-8f08-e15331533c4c)\n\nVendra automatically contextualizes your emails/messages/files and generates key takeaways like project and conversation summaries, open items, blockers, tasks, etc. It also creates a smart file directory so you never have to go digging through emails or attachments ever again.\n\nEasily access all this information from anywhere through our SlackBot, GPT-like chat interface, or web-based dashboard:\n\n![uploaded image](/media/?type=post&id=83256&key=user_uploads/914508/ad310c5b-4582-4e07-9e43-1bbaf6691b37)\n\nYou can ask Vendra AI things like\n\n* ‘Show me all the quotes and lead times we got from vendors for the upper bracket machining in the past month’\n* ‘What are all the open items for the enclosure injection molding tooling?’\n* ‘Pull up the RF module datasheet the supplier sent me last week’\n* And so much more!\n\nFor teams looking for 2-way external collaboration, we also offer VendraPM - a secure end-to-end platform to onboard your vendors and work together across projects and tasks. Features like secure file sharing, document revision control, and AI-enabled language translation make external work easier than ever:\n\n![uploaded image](/media/?type=post&id=83256&key=user_uploads/914508/850d8b2a-133f-492b-a346-3f441932ab20)\n\n### The Ask\n\n* If you work in hardware, [book a demo today!](https://calendly.com/vendra-shan/30-minute-vendra-chat)\n* We also love warm intros to folks in hardware - if you know anyone working in (or around) hardware, we’d love to chat with them to understand their workflow and see how we can help!\n* Follow us on [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/vendra-hq/) and [X!](https://x.com/vendraHQ)", "url": "https://www.ycombinator.com/launches/Leq-vendra-ai-vendor-and-project-management-for-hardware-teams", "votes": 1024, "created_at": "2024-08-23T15:30:21.401Z" } ] }, { "id": 30095, "name": "Consus", "slug": "consus", "former_names": [], "small_logo_thumb_url": "https://bookface-images.s3.amazonaws.com/small_logos/bbe9d08b52107f4ba06be791e9808aa96113cd5f.png", "website": "https://www.consus.io", "all_locations": "San Francisco, CA, USA; Remote", "long_description": "Consus is an API that routes all AI requests to secure and compliant infrastructure. Aerospace and defense companies use the API to access the latest models without worrying about paperwork or infrastructure engineering. Consus manages the compliance and backend work so you can plug AI into an application and get to work. ", "one_liner": "The fastest and cheapest way to use AI with ITAR or CUI data. ", "team_size": 1, "industry": "Industrials", "subindustry": "Industrials -> Aviation and Space", "launched_at": 1732222348, "tags": [ "Developer Tools", "Aerospace", "Defense", "AI" ], "tags_highlighted": [], "top_company": false, "isHiring": false, "nonprofit": false, "batch": "Fall 2024", "status": "Active", "industries": [ "Industrials", "Aviation and Space" ], "regions": [ "United States of America", "America / Canada", "Remote", "Fully Remote" ], "stage": "Early", "app_video_public": false, "demo_day_video_public": false, "app_answers": null, "question_answers": null, "url": "https://www.ycombinator.com/companies/consus", "api": "https://devasheeshg.github.io/yc-api/batches/fall-2024/consus.json", "year_founded": 2024, "city": "San Francisco", "country": "US", "linkedin_url": "https://www.linkedin.com/company/consusindustries", "x_url": "", "fb_url": null, "cb_url": null, "github_url": null, "logo_url": "https://bookface-images.s3.amazonaws.com/small_logos/bbe9d08b52107f4ba06be791e9808aa96113cd5f.png", "app_video_url": null, "dday_video_url": null, "company_photos": [], "primary_partner": null, "founders": [ { "user_id": 274840, "full_name": "Eric Magliarditi", "title": "Founder/CEO", "founder_bio": "Let's transform government requirements. \n\nI spent most of my career launching government satellites at SpaceX. Before that, I wrote software to analyze satellite constellations and built computer vision models at MIT.", "is_active": true, "linkedin_url": "https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericmagliarditi/", "x_url": "", "avatar_thumb_url": "https://bookface-images.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/avatars/434db2928d9e2253ad3a24e8d49dd49c8e60916f.jpg" } ], "jobs": [], "news": [], "launches": [ { "id": 85782, "title": "Consus - The Github for Government Documents", "tagline": "Stop pulling your hair out when working with government specs and requirements", "body": "**TLDR:**\n\nConsus eliminates the chaos of government documents. We automatically verify active revisions, alert you to updates, and extract relevant requirements from complex documents. Help your team win more contracts and execute faster with Consus.\n\n\n\n**The Problem**\n\nGovernment requirements slow companies down, particularly in aerospace & defense. When handed stacks of government requirements, program managers are expected to figure it out - with no guidance. Currently, they:\n\n   ❌ Waste hours searching for the correct document version (often government counterparts don’t know)\n\n   ❌ Sort through thousands of pages to find relevant information or requirements\n\n   ❌ Avoid the headache by offloading to busy engineering teams\n\n   ❌ Cross their fingers that they didn’t miss any requirements that will hurt the team in the future\n\n**The Solution**\n\nConsus transforms document compliance from a burden to a competitive advantage:\n\n   ✅ Instant access to verified, active documents\n\n   ✅ Automatic alerts for document updates affecting your projects\n\n   ✅ AI-powered insights that surface relevant requirements in minutes\n\n   ✅ One-click requirement extraction \n\nWe work directly with government organizations to identify active document revisions. Our extraction tools get you the information you care about, and you will never have to guess the source of a requirement. \n\nIf you are struggling to find and understand government documents, let’s [chat](https://calendly.com/eric-consusindustries/30min)!\\\n\\\n**The “Team” 🚀**\n\nI spent the bulk of my career at SpaceX where I launched critical national security missions. Government requirements are important, but they need to be dramatically changed in form & distribution to unlock critical capabilities. If you resonate with the pain, let me know!\n\n_Standing under a big rocket 🙂_\n\n![uploaded image](/media/?type=post&id=85782&key=user_uploads/274840/0f7a315b-2352-43b4-b4de-001299104a93)\n\n", "url": "https://www.ycombinator.com/launches/MJa-consus-the-github-for-government-documents", "votes": 44, "created_at": "2024-11-22T01:25:36.584Z" } ] }, { "id": 30099, "name": "Gander", "slug": "gander", "former_names": [], "small_logo_thumb_url": "https://bookface-images.s3.amazonaws.com/small_logos/103e5e968261b6e0f5f380738a8663b4974fa3c8.png", "website": "https://usegander.com", "all_locations": "New York City, NY, USA", "long_description": "Gander is building AI-powered technology that allows private jet operators to coordinate, maintain, and monetize their fleets all in one place.", "one_liner": "Automation System for Global Aviation", "team_size": 7, "industry": "B2B", "subindustry": "B2B -> Operations", "launched_at": 1731944906, "tags": [ "SaaS", "Aerospace", "AI" ], "tags_highlighted": [], "top_company": false, "isHiring": false, "nonprofit": false, "batch": "Fall 2024", "status": "Acquired", "industries": [ "B2B", "Operations" ], "regions": [ "United States of America", "America / Canada", "Remote", "Partly Remote" ], "stage": "Early", "app_video_public": false, "demo_day_video_public": false, "app_answers": null, "question_answers": null, "url": "https://www.ycombinator.com/companies/gander", "api": "https://devasheeshg.github.io/yc-api/batches/fall-2024/gander.json", "year_founded": 2024, "city": "New York City", "country": "US", "linkedin_url": "https://www.linkedin.com/company/usegander", "x_url": "", "fb_url": null, "cb_url": null, "github_url": null, "logo_url": "https://bookface-images.s3.amazonaws.com/small_logos/103e5e968261b6e0f5f380738a8663b4974fa3c8.png", "app_video_url": null, "dday_video_url": null, "company_photos": [], "primary_partner": { "name": "Garry Tan", "url": "https://www.ycombinator.com/people/garry-tan" }, "founders": [ { "user_id": 342828, "full_name": "Arjan Guglani", "title": "Founder/CEO", "founder_bio": "Building LLMs for the Aviation Industry. Prev United, American, and Insight Partners", "is_active": true, "linkedin_url": "https://linkedin.com/in/arjanguglani", "x_url": "", "avatar_thumb_url": "https://bookface-images.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/avatars/4170f9127ae6f932e09ca881daa59cde20942f67.jpg" } ], "jobs": [], "news": [], "launches": [] }, { "id": 30110, "name": "Forerunner", "slug": "forerunner", "former_names": [ "Forerunner AI" ], "small_logo_thumb_url": "https://bookface-images.s3.amazonaws.com/small_logos/683490b8ed63456c153999da3c193d23b5d08e78.png", "website": "https://tryforerunner.com", "all_locations": "Los Angeles, CA, USA", "long_description": "Forerunner is an AI-native factory building precision bent-tubes for aerospace, defense, energy, and industrials.", "one_liner": "Quick-turn bent tube shop for aerospace, energy, industrials", "team_size": 2, "industry": "Industrials", "subindustry": "Industrials -> Manufacturing and Robotics", "launched_at": 1730181783, "tags": [ "Manufacturing", "Aerospace" ], "tags_highlighted": [], "top_company": false, "isHiring": false, "nonprofit": false, "batch": "Fall 2024", "status": "Active", "industries": [ "Industrials", "Manufacturing and Robotics" ], "regions": [ "United States of America", "America / Canada" ], "stage": "Early", "app_video_public": false, "demo_day_video_public": false, "app_answers": null, "question_answers": null, "url": "https://www.ycombinator.com/companies/forerunner", "api": "https://devasheeshg.github.io/yc-api/batches/fall-2024/forerunner.json", "year_founded": 2024, "city": "Los Angeles", "country": "US", "linkedin_url": "https://www.linkedin.com/company/tryforerunner/", "x_url": "https://x.com/TryForerunner", "fb_url": null, "cb_url": null, "github_url": null, "logo_url": "https://bookface-images.s3.amazonaws.com/small_logos/683490b8ed63456c153999da3c193d23b5d08e78.png", "app_video_url": null, "dday_video_url": null, "company_photos": [], "primary_partner": null, "founders": [ { "user_id": 695093, "full_name": "Yash Kadadi", "title": "Founder/CEO", "founder_bio": "Prev. Software/Autonomy/ML at Anduril, SpaceX, and NASA |\nStanford BS CS '25, MS CS '26 (on leave)", "is_active": true, "linkedin_url": "https://linkedin.com/in/yashkadadi", "x_url": "", "avatar_thumb_url": "https://bookface-images.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/avatars/61dd1e8893ca6d6f65f7d8d79f9c757baccc170c.jpg" }, { "user_id": 972066, "full_name": "Will Nida", "title": "Founder/CTO", "founder_bio": "Stanford BS '25 (Physics + CS). Prev. Starship Propulsion Engineering @ SpaceX, Plasma Propulsion Research @ Stanford", "is_active": true, "linkedin_url": "https://linkedin.com/in/william-nida", "x_url": "https://x.com/willnida0", "avatar_thumb_url": "https://bookface-images.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/avatars/088a3d13c32b1a604dc4303a36ba4d9d61b03e9c.jpg" } ], "jobs": [], "news": [], "launches": [ { "id": 85132, "title": "Forerunner - Copilot for aerospace engineers", "tagline": "Forerunner collaborates with engineers to accelerate development of defense tech, satellites, and rockets.", "body": "### **BLUF**\n\n[Forerunner](https://tryforerunner.com) automates repetitive hardware engineering tasks, helping hardware teams speed up design iterations and stay aligned. Our AI-powered Slackbot integrates with software like Confluence and GitHub, enabling engineers to efficiently access the latest data (“What’s the current thrust on our Methalox engine?”), run calculations (“Solve for mass flow rate on the cold gas thruster”), and update files (“Update SRB design thrust with new test data”).\n\nWith Forerunner, engineers can focus on what matters: designing and building hardware systems.\n\n\n\n### **The Ask – Refer Us**\n\nWe’d like to chat with any engineering leads at aerospace, defense, and hardware companies! \n\nEmail [yash@tryforerunner.com](mailto:yash@tryforerunner.com) if you or your friends are building cool hardware! \n\n### **Who we are**\n\nWe’re [Yash](http://linkedin.com/in/yashkadadi) and [Will](http://linkedin.com/in/william-nida)! We’re lifelong aerospace nerds. We’ve launched liquid biprop rockets and built CubeSats at Stanford, and we have deployed hardware and software at SpaceX (Starship and Starlink), Anduril (Altius), and NASA (ISS operations).\n\n### **Why this matters**\n\n![uploaded image](/media/?type=post&id=85132&key=user_uploads/695093/61c93aea-f5e3-4ed2-a5eb-c0b0788ada17)\n\n_An FPV drone carrying a warhead disables Russian armor. Credit: United24_\n\n[The world is on fire](https://www.cnn.com/2024/10/24/europe/ukraine-north-korean-troops-spotted-kursk-intl-latam/index.html), and we desperately need to fly the next generation of autonomous weapons, satellites, launch vehicles, hypersonics, and eVTOL aircraft. \n\nHowever, inefficient engineering software is slowing us down. We personally experienced the frustration of digging through hundreds of slides of primary structures analysis, setting up Excel hand-calcs with equations from Roark’s, and missing flight deadlines.\n\nTo accelerate the development of critical aerospace and defense hardware, we need to automate slow, tedious workflows for engineers. \n\n### **How we solve this**\n\nForerunner automates repetitive tasks in aerospace engineering. Today, Forerunner can:\n\n* Update turbopump design specs in Document A by querying and synthesizing test results from Documents B and C.\n* Size the mass budget for a comms satellite using techniques in The New SMAD. Generate compliant test plans based on [Air Force Space Command procedures](https://explorers.larc.nasa.gov/2019APSMEX/MO/pdf_files/SMC-S-016_05SEP2014.pdf).\n* Analyze assembly instructions for an arming fuse and generate an inspection plan for QA.\n* Track system-level requirements for a loitering munition; when new wingbox subsystem specs are uploaded, Forerunner flags and corrects any inconsistencies with system requirements.\n\n![uploaded image](/media/?type=post&id=85132&key=user_uploads/695093/7042fafb-b9b4-449a-9bac-9c11b3bf9309)\n\n", "url": "https://www.ycombinator.com/launches/M96-forerunner-copilot-for-aerospace-engineers", "votes": 39, "created_at": "2024-10-29T20:49:59.814Z" } ] }, { "id": 30316, "name": "Reditus Space", "slug": "reditus-space", "former_names": [], "small_logo_thumb_url": "https://bookface-images.s3.amazonaws.com/small_logos/f567bf243e624ac80b841cec50ec05ef7e87c1ac.png", "website": "https://www.reditus.space/", "all_locations": "Atlanta, GA, USA", "long_description": "We are making reusable satellites for zero-g manufacturing & Hypersonic Technology Development. \r\nOur first orbital recovery mission is set to launch in Q4 2026.", "one_liner": "Reusable Satellites", "team_size": 12, "industry": "Industrials", "subindustry": "Industrials -> Aviation and Space", "launched_at": 1739340612, "tags": [ "Hard Tech", "Manufacturing", "Aerospace" ], "tags_highlighted": [], "top_company": false, "isHiring": true, "nonprofit": false, "batch": "Winter 2025", "status": "Active", "industries": [ "Industrials", "Aviation and Space" ], "regions": [ "United States of America", "America / Canada" ], "stage": "Early", "app_video_public": false, "demo_day_video_public": false, "app_answers": null, "question_answers": [ { "question": "How did your company get started? (i.e., How did the founders meet? How did you come up with the idea? How did you decide to be a founder?)", "answer": "The founders met in graduate school at Georgia Tech, while we were both pursuing our PhD’s in aerospace engineering. " } ], "url": "https://www.ycombinator.com/companies/reditus-space", "api": "https://devasheeshg.github.io/yc-api/batches/winter-2025/reditus-space.json", "year_founded": 2024, "city": "Atlanta", "country": "US", "linkedin_url": "https://www.linkedin.com/company/reditus-space", "x_url": "https://x.com/ReditusSpace", "fb_url": null, "cb_url": "https://www.crunchbase.com/organization/reditus-space", "github_url": null, "logo_url": "https://bookface-images.s3.amazonaws.com/small_logos/f567bf243e624ac80b841cec50ec05ef7e87c1ac.png", "app_video_url": null, "dday_video_url": null, "company_photos": [ "https://bookface-images.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/attachments/1847423dc250b719ebdef9254dae22b30428d3fd.png" ], "primary_partner": { "name": "Tyler Bosmeny", "url": "https://www.ycombinator.com/people/tyler-bosmeny" }, "founders": [ { "user_id": 2231256, "full_name": "Stef Crum", "title": "Founder/CEO", "founder_bio": "CEO Reditus Space - Space Systems Engineer\nSpace Systems Engineering PhD, worked with NASA and Space Force on orbital operations and reentry. Founded Da Vinci Satellite, a satellite mission non-profit.", "is_active": true, "linkedin_url": "https://www.linkedin.com/in/spcrum/", "x_url": "https://x.com/StefReditus", "avatar_thumb_url": "https://bookface-images.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/avatars/e5da8427c01c1ced92fb4375f6dbf2541ffdee78.jpg" }, { "user_id": 2250643, "full_name": "Will Sherman", "title": "Founder/CTO", "founder_bio": "CTO Reditus Space - Georgia Tech PhD dropout", "is_active": true, "linkedin_url": "https://www.linkedin.com/in/willamasherman/", "x_url": "", "avatar_thumb_url": "https://bookface-images.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/avatars/6bb49f20a0b9d5d15773ae4b4ed4fb47472edf81.jpg" } ], "jobs": [ { "id": 76235, "title": "Avionics Engineer", "url": "https://www.ycombinator.com/companies/reditus-space/jobs/2Ag3TbE-avionics-engineer", "location": "Atlanta, GA, US", "type": "Full-time", "role": "Engineering", "role_type": "Hardware", "salary_range": "$110K - $145K", "equity_range": "0.10% - 0.30%", "experience": "1+ years", "visa": "US citizen/visa only", "skills": [] }, { "id": 76237, "title": "Thermal Structures Engineer", "url": "https://www.ycombinator.com/companies/reditus-space/jobs/zVwGCvw-thermal-structures-engineer", "location": "Atlanta, GA, US", "type": "Full-time", "role": "Engineering", "role_type": "Hardware", "salary_range": "$110K - $145K", "equity_range": "0.10% - 0.30%", "experience": "1+ years", "visa": "US citizen/visa only", "skills": [] }, { "id": 81898, "title": "Senior Mechanical Engineer", "url": "https://www.ycombinator.com/companies/reditus-space/jobs/z9X9wJa-senior-mechanical-engineer", "location": "Atlanta, GA, US", "type": "Full-time", "role": "Engineering", "role_type": "Mechanical", "salary_range": "$130K - $175K", "equity_range": "0.10% - 0.25%", "experience": "3+ years", "visa": "US citizen/visa only", "skills": [ "CAD Design" ] }, { "id": 92319, "title": "Senior Aerothermal Engineer", "url": "https://www.ycombinator.com/companies/reditus-space/jobs/phc3lPZ-senior-aerothermal-engineer", "location": "Atlanta, GA, US", "type": "Full-time", "role": "Engineering", "role_type": "Hardware", "salary_range": "$130K - $175K", "equity_range": "0.10% - 0.25%", "experience": "1+ years", "visa": "US citizen/visa only", "skills": [] } ], "news": [], "launches": [ { "id": 88064, "title": "Reditus Space: Reusable Satellites for zero-g manufacturing", "tagline": "The next wave of pharmaceutical & materials manufacturing will happen in space, and we are getting people there and back faster!", "body": "Hey everyone, we are Will and Stef from Reditus Space!\\\n\\\n**The Problem**\n\nAccess and Return from space is almost entirely dependent on the International Space Station (ISS), a costly, slow, and overly bureaucratic process. Zero-G manufacturing is currently at a turning point, transitioning from research to producing materials for use on Earth. The current space infrastructure cannot provide consistent access & return for zero-g manufacturing, and that is where we come in.\n\n**Why produce anything in space at all?**\n\nThe absence of gravity in space means that there is no sedimentation or convection. In turn, that means during the formation of materials, you are able to make them more homogenous on an atomic level. This has huge implications for pharmaceuticals, semiconductors, and biologics. You are able to create materials in space that cannot be produced on Earth.\\\n\\\nIn short, the material production has to be so precise that gravity is too much of a disturbing force and needs to be removed.\n\n\\\n**What are we building right now?**\\\nRight now we are working on our first full-scale re-entry mission, the ENOS mission, which will be launching on a Falcon 9 in a launch window starting in March '26. We will be hosting a pharmaceutical R&D payload on-orbit and fully re-enter and recover the satellite.\\\n\\\nCheck out the following video for more info about ENOS!\\\n\n\n**The Team**\n\nWill and I met at Georgia Tech while we were both pursuing our PhD’s in Aerospace Engineering. We have worked on several satellite missions and re-entry and recovery with NASA & the DoD.\n\n![uploaded image](/media/?type=post&id=88064&key=user_uploads/2231256/ea6b8ac3-69ce-446b-90f8-9ceb9661a42e)\n\n**The Ask**\n\nWe are actively looking to expand our customer base. If you have any connections within the pharmaceutical or the semiconductor industry, especially the very large companies, we would love to talk to you! Even if you think that your company doesn’t do anything in space, very often they do.\n\n![uploaded image](/media/?type=post&id=88064&key=user_uploads/2231256/7966f07a-9691-448a-8ba7-e90e7537d2f7)\n\n", "url": "https://www.ycombinator.com/launches/MuO-reditus-space-reusable-satellites-for-zero-g-manufacturing", "votes": 15, "created_at": "2025-02-26T18:27:06.101Z" } ] }, { "id": 30417, "name": "GroundControl", "slug": "groundcontrol", "former_names": [], "small_logo_thumb_url": "https://bookface-images.s3.amazonaws.com/small_logos/aa0a54f0fef4c64097aee43f99b1b40bf7bda56a.png", "website": "https://rungroundcontrol.com/", "all_locations": "San Francisco, CA, USA", "long_description": "GroundControl builds mission-critical software for manufacturers in highly-regulated industries (aerospace, defense, medical)\r\n\r\nOur core product automates lengthy, complex, and regulated quality documentation in aerospace manufacturing.\r\n\r\nAs an example, the Boeing 777 is made up of over 3 million parts sourced from manufacturers around the world. These manufacturers must complete quality documentation for every part on this aircraft (machined parts, printed circuit boards, wire harnesses, assemblies, and more).\r\n\r\nGroundControl helps manufacturers complete this required documentation accurately, in minutes instead of days.", "one_liner": "Vertical AI for highly-regulated manufacturing", "team_size": 8, "industry": "Industrials", "subindustry": "Industrials -> Aviation and Space", "launched_at": 1744173288, "tags": [ "SaaS", "Manufacturing", "Aerospace" ], "tags_highlighted": [], "top_company": false, "isHiring": true, "nonprofit": false, "batch": "Spring 2025", "status": "Active", "industries": [ "Industrials", "Aviation and Space" ], "regions": [ "United States of America", "America / Canada", "Remote", "Partly Remote" ], "stage": "Early", "app_video_public": false, "demo_day_video_public": false, "app_answers": null, "question_answers": null, "url": "https://www.ycombinator.com/companies/groundcontrol", "api": "https://devasheeshg.github.io/yc-api/batches/spring-2025/groundcontrol.json", "year_founded": 2024, "city": "San Francisco", "country": "US", "linkedin_url": "https://www.linkedin.com/company/groundcontrol-software/", "x_url": "", "fb_url": null, "cb_url": null, "github_url": "https://github.com/groundcontrol-software", "logo_url": "https://bookface-images.s3.amazonaws.com/small_logos/aa0a54f0fef4c64097aee43f99b1b40bf7bda56a.png", "app_video_url": null, "dday_video_url": null, "company_photos": [ "https://bookface-images.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/attachments/73eef59fbfda87e5d1cd13179b73c4899aac89f9.png" ], "primary_partner": { "name": "David Lieb", "url": "https://www.ycombinator.com/people/david-lieb" }, "founders": [ { "user_id": 1816593, "full_name": "Mehul Shah", "title": "Founder/CEO", "founder_bio": "Spent 8 years building software for my family business in PCB manufacturing.\nNow Co-founder & CEO of GroundControl (X25).", "is_active": true, "linkedin_url": "https://www.linkedin.com/in/mehulmshah22", "x_url": "", "avatar_thumb_url": "https://bookface-images.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/avatars/c066fd2aa1f87a4059440d6cc18d201337bbc4d8.jpg" }, { "user_id": 1816343, "full_name": "Matthew Noseworthy", "title": "Founder/CTO", "founder_bio": "Childhood script kiddie, ECE Undergrad, Founded/Exited inspectAR, now CTO @ GoundControl ", "is_active": true, "linkedin_url": "https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-noseworthy-218167106/", "x_url": "", "avatar_thumb_url": "https://bookface-images.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/avatars/5ea6a156dd22b216a1d70d2beaea7c6e6d1c2c04.jpg" } ], "jobs": [ { "id": 111655, "title": "Account Executive", "url": "https://www.ycombinator.com/companies/groundcontrol/jobs/AbIZrUo-account-executive", "location": "San Francisco, CA, US", "type": "Full-time", "role": "Sales", "role_type": null, "salary_range": "$75K - $120K", "equity_range": "", "experience": "Any (new grads ok)", "visa": "US citizen/visa only", "skills": [] } ], "news": [], "launches": [ { "id": 90406, "title": "GroundControl: Vertical AI for highly-regulated manufacturing", "tagline": "We automate lengthy, complex, and regulated quality documentation in aerospace manufacturing.", "body": "Hi! We’re [**Mehul Shah**](https://www.linkedin.com/in/mehulmshah22), [**Nick Warren**](https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickcw/), [**Matthew Noseworthy**](https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-noseworthy-218167106/) — co-founders of [**GroundControl**](https://rungroundcontrol.com/).\n\n[**https://youtu.be/s2heFLI1R80**](https://youtu.be/s2heFLI1R80)\n\n**TL;DR** — We've onboarded 70+ manufacturing facilities as customers throughout the US. Our core product automates lengthy, complex, and regulated quality documentation in aerospace manufacturing.\n\n**How We Started**\n\nNick and Matt co-founded their last startup (InspectAR) with Mehul's brother before being acquired by Cadence ($CDNS). I (Mehul) spent the last decade in my family business, where we built PCBs for every advanced system on Earth: rockets, satellites, aircraft, fighter jets, and more. We noticed despite building for innovation, manufacturing operations were antiquated and bogged down with manual processes.\n\nFirst Article Inspection Reports (AS9102s) were creating a bottleneck in quality. Parts would be built and ready to ship, just waiting on paperwork. Our facilities were doing 15 reports a day, 8 hours per report. The worst part? Even if the part was built exactly to spec — if a single typo was found by the customer, the report would get rejected and payment delayed until the report was fixed.\n\n**What We Built**\n\nOur core product automates first article inspection reporting for regulated manufacturing. Quality teams can balloon drawings and automate inspection report generation in minutes, instead of days.\n\n**Our Vision**\n\nToday, over 70 facilities across the US generate almost 1000 reports a month on our platform. This is just the beginning. We'll continue to build for quality, and upstream towards operations, engineering, and sales to empower manufacturers with AI. GroundControl will embed itself across the global supply chain, from Tier 4 suppliers to OEMs with vertically integrated manufacturing.\n\n**Our Ask**\n\nIf you know anyone in regulated manufacturing (aerospace, automotive, medical), or their customers (OEMs like Lockheed, SpaceX, Anduril, etc.) we would love to chat. Reach us at [**founders@gndctl.com**](mailto:founders@gndctl.com) or **408-390-4460**.\n\n![uploaded image](/media/?type=post&id=90406&key=user_uploads/1816593/5a76bc6a-30b2-49fb-9e27-43c222bcab9d)\n\n", "url": "https://www.ycombinator.com/launches/NWA-groundcontrol-vertical-ai-for-highly-regulated-manufacturing", "votes": 76, "created_at": "2025-05-14T18:21:40.860Z" } ] }, { "id": 30556, "name": "Cascade Space", "slug": "cascade-space", "former_names": [ "Heliosphere Network Corporation" ], "small_logo_thumb_url": "https://bookface-images.s3.amazonaws.com/small_logos/36e55270dbc5bebe580db836e83f643f2121440a.png", "website": "https://cascadespace.com", "all_locations": "San Francisco, CA, USA", "long_description": "Cascade Space is building the commercial alternative to the Deep Space Network. Our first ground station, Earth Station Zero, will be online and downlinking data from the Moon in 2026, with plans to scale to a full global network by 2028.", "one_liner": "Commercial alternative to the Deep Space Network", "team_size": 7, "industry": "Industrials", "subindustry": "Industrials -> Aviation and Space", "launched_at": 1746647881, "tags": [ "Hard Tech", "Hardware", "SaaS", "Aerospace", "Industrial" ], "tags_highlighted": [], "top_company": false, "isHiring": true, "nonprofit": false, "batch": "Spring 2025", "status": "Active", "industries": [ "Industrials", "Aviation and Space" ], "regions": [ "United States of America", "America / Canada" ], "stage": "Early", "app_video_public": false, "demo_day_video_public": false, "app_answers": null, "question_answers": null, "url": "https://www.ycombinator.com/companies/cascade-space", "api": "https://devasheeshg.github.io/yc-api/batches/spring-2025/cascade-space.json", "year_founded": 2025, "city": "San Francisco", "country": "US", "linkedin_url": "https://www.linkedin.com/company/cascade-space/", "x_url": "https://x.com/cascade_space", "fb_url": null, "cb_url": null, "github_url": null, "logo_url": "https://bookface-images.s3.amazonaws.com/small_logos/36e55270dbc5bebe580db836e83f643f2121440a.png", "app_video_url": null, "dday_video_url": null, "company_photos": [], "primary_partner": { "name": "Tom Blomfield", "url": "https://www.ycombinator.com/people/tom-blomfield" }, "founders": [ { "user_id": 222992, "full_name": "Jacob Portukalian", "title": "Founder/CEO", "founder_bio": "Cascade was founded by Jacob Portukalian, architect of comms systems at SpaceX, Tyvak, and Astra. He has assembled a team of elite space engineers to scale communications infrastructure for the next generation of space exploration companies.", "is_active": true, "linkedin_url": "https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacob-portukalian", "x_url": "https://x.com/jportukalian", "avatar_thumb_url": "https://bookface-images.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/avatars/ec0d743fbdca8073e2272c94f64f25dc2b4502bc.jpg" }, { "user_id": 2222230, "full_name": "Arlen Abraham", "title": "Founder", "founder_bio": "Arlen is a deep generalist who thrives at the interfaces between hardware, software/firmware, product, and business. He brings a wealth of technical and leadership experience, not only from the aerospace industry, but also from consumer goods, communications, and energy.", "is_active": true, "linkedin_url": "https://www.linkedin.com/in/arlenabraham/", "x_url": "", "avatar_thumb_url": "https://bookface-images.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/avatars/33d4c97f7c373e420260fa770b8870398e382c7e.jpg" } ], "jobs": [ { "id": 94460, "title": "Senior Mechanical Engineer", "url": "https://www.ycombinator.com/companies/cascade-space/jobs/oD1pldv-senior-mechanical-engineer", "location": "San Francisco, CA, US", "type": "Full-time", "role": "Engineering", "role_type": "Mechanical", "salary_range": "$150 - $190", "equity_range": "", "experience": "3+ years", "visa": "US citizen/visa only", "skills": [] } ], "news": [], "launches": [ { "id": 96236, "title": "Cascade Designer - Spacecraft communication system design software", "tagline": "Elite company tools designed for tiny teams", "body": "https://youtu.be/cPNXStE7LcE\n\nCascade Space was founded to build the ground station company of the future. But lack of large dishes is not the only thing broken about space communications, so are the design tools. \n\nIndustry standard spreadsheets are painful to build and maintain and error prone, but they can at least get you started. That said, they completely break down once you need to predict how your spacecraft will perform in real world dynamic environments, analyzing multiple variations of a system, or sharing and keeping the design updated across teams.\n\n![uploaded image](/media/?type=post&id=96236&key=user_uploads/222992/5bdf36f9-9f71-4796-9f12-ecbeba37d8c4)\n\nEvery space company eventually starts to build internal tooling to parse 3D antenna patterns and scripts to evaluate link performance over given flight trajectories. This is usually unplanned work done by RF engineers that takes months to get even a rudimentary implementation up and running. This software is very bespoke and often brittle, and makes the tight timelines of early stage companies even tighter.\n\nAcross the industry this work gets duplicated over, and over, and over. \n\n**Enter Cascade Designer**. The pipeline is already built. Start by designing your system in a graphical interface, get your link margin with a single button click. \n\n![uploaded image](/media/?type=post&id=96236&key=user_uploads/222992/7e4a5642-dc70-4093-a7d5-5a2b1802cda3)\n\nNext, analyze entire trajectories with a single API call. \n\n![uploaded image](/media/?type=post&id=96236&key=user_uploads/222992/980c9907-784c-4861-8758-b6341afd2721)\n\nDesigns can be shared with anyone on your team through our interface\n\n![uploaded image](/media/?type=post&id=96236&key=user_uploads/222992/bec0b967-999c-4089-849f-d0c547431498)\n\nWe built this out because the customers of the best ground network need the best design tools, but we didn’t just build this for our ground station customers. Anyone designing a spacecraft for any orbit using any ground station can use it. \n\nVisit our website to learn more and book your demo: https://cascade.space/designer/", "url": "https://www.ycombinator.com/launches/P2C-cascade-designer-spacecraft-communication-system-design-software", "votes": 18, "created_at": "2025-12-16T12:01:40.937Z" }, { "id": 90423, "title": "Cascade Space - Deep space communications as a service", "tagline": "Your next lunar mission just got easier!", "body": "# tl;dr\n\nCascade Space is building a turn-key communications system for lunar and deep space missions. Our ground station network and integrated software tools work together to maximize uptime and availability, while reducing spacecraft iteration cycles from weeks to hours. \n\n![uploaded image](/media/?type=post&id=90423&key=user_uploads/222992/7b3a56ce-8dc0-48db-a2e5-3badb2afd893)\n\n**Why are we building this and why now?**\n\nThe Deep Space Network (DSN), NASA’s global network of ground terminals for communicating with deep space probes, is [oversubscribed by 40% and in desperate need of upgrades.](https://newspaceeconomy.ca/2024/09/02/nasas-deep-space-network-challenges-and-the-road-ahead/) The DSN is all but unavailable for most commercial operations. Companies with missions going to the Moon and beyond have to deal with a patchwork of individual dish operators for every mission, each with bespoke hardware, specs, and interfaces. Furthermore, many of these commercial providers are not able to handle the demand and [operational failures also can lead to loss of mission](https://www.astroforge.com/updates-collection/odint-mission-debrief).\n\n![uploaded image](/media/?type=post&id=90423&key=user_uploads/222992/c6aa8968-e567-42e5-8866-866414630f22)\n\n**Comms system design is fraught with peril**\n\nThe spacecraft comms system design is tightly coupled to the available ground network. Engineers spend hundreds of hours poring over datasheets, on the phone with vendors and suppliers, and endless email threads, only to put all this data into a giant spreadsheet to make sense of it. Every iteration requires not only painful attention to detail, but also in-depth esoteric knowledge of how radio frequency systems and channel coding schemes work in order to accurately predict in-flight performance. Simple misunderstandings can lead to catastrophic errors in design and configuration.\n\n![uploaded image](/media/?type=post&id=90423&key=user_uploads/222992/1623d16f-4789-4793-892f-2c7adffc84a7)\n\n**End-to-end comms system validation often doesn’t happen**\n\nFully integrated testing between the spacecraft and ground terminal is typically cost prohibitive. Instead, engineers compare spec sheets and email configurations to the ground operators, and hope it works in flight (spoiler alert: it often doesn’t). It is routine for spacecraft to fly having never done an end-to-end test of their system with ground terminal representative hardware. The whole process is subject to human error from end to end. \n\n**This approach to space communications does not scale**\n\nCommercial space ventures beyond low earth orbit have already pushed existing infrastructure to its breaking point, and demand for deep space comms support is expected to grow exponentially over the next decade. We will not have a spacefaring future for humanity until communications for spacecraft become as easy as signing up for cable internet. \n\n**We are redefining the process, starting with spacecraft design**\n\nBetter comms starts at the beginning, in the early trade study and design phase. We are replacing industry-standard spreadsheets with a modern software tool that lets you see how your system will perform with our ground network in real time.\n\n![uploaded image](/media/?type=post&id=90423&key=user_uploads/222992/4873c5a0-9288-48fe-8d2e-a3a32f3fcad0)\n\n**Test as you fly, fly as you test**\n\nYou don’t rise to the level of your expectations, you fall to the level of your testing. We ship you a “ground station in a box,” identical to hardware we’ve installed at the ground stations you will be using, and provide you with a test plan that you can use to test your entire system end to end, with both the space vehicle and the ground terminal in the loop. \n\n**Launch with confidence**\n\nFly and operate your spacecraft. Use our API to schedule passes on our network, track your spacecraft, stream data, monitor the ground site, and access recordings.\n\n![uploaded image](/media/?type=post&id=90423&key=user_uploads/222992/2b01ca98-b6d7-4f8b-9af5-5b93b0613ef0)\n\n**We are rolling out our preliminary network rapidly**\n\nWe start by partnering with owners of dishes that are currently unused for any other telemetry applications. This allows us to build out the product and acquire customers with a minimal amount of capital. As we build out the network, we will further expand our network by strategically building our own ground stations in key locations. Our first downlink only ground stations are expected to come online in 2025, with more to follow in 2026.\n\n**We are passionate about your mission success**\n\n[Jacob](https://bookface.ycombinator.com/company/30556) and [Arlen](https://bookface.ycombinator.com/user/2222230) have solved many of these exact problems at company level scales in previous roles. Jacob was RF system architect at SpaceX and Arlen has built complex hardware/software systems his entire career. Collectively they have spent hundreds of hours in mission control, many of those hours dealing with anomalies and outright failures. They are both passionate about building the culture of excellence at Cascade that is required for flawless mission execution.\n\n**If you are struggling with comms for your upcoming mission, drop us a line. We can help.**\n\nhttps://cascade.space/", "url": "https://www.ycombinator.com/launches/NWR-cascade-space-deep-space-communications-as-a-service", "votes": 84, "created_at": "2025-05-15T14:54:19.097Z" } ] }, { "id": 30559, "name": "Godela", "slug": "godela", "former_names": [], "small_logo_thumb_url": "https://bookface-images.s3.amazonaws.com/small_logos/fe1589548b774d33ca4f20c5020467a9627f9c13.png", "website": "http://godela.ai", "all_locations": "San Francisco, CA, USA", "long_description": "What if every experiment you wanted to run could be modeled using AI? \r\nGodela is an AI-powered physics engine that gives engineers faster, cheaper replacement to simulations and physical prototypes.\r\nNo set up, no wait. Just ask—and get simulation quality result.\r\n", "one_liner": "AI Physics Engine to replace simulations and prototypes", "team_size": 10, "industry": "B2B", "subindustry": "B2B -> Engineering, Product and Design", "launched_at": 1747413596, "tags": [ "Hard Tech", "Hardware", "Aerospace", "AI", "ML" ], "tags_highlighted": [], "top_company": false, "isHiring": true, "nonprofit": false, "batch": "Spring 2025", "status": "Active", "industries": [ "B2B", "Engineering, Product and Design" ], "regions": [ "United States of America", "America / Canada" ], "stage": "Early", "app_video_public": false, "demo_day_video_public": false, "app_answers": null, "question_answers": [ { "question": "What is the core problem you are solving? Why is this a big problem? What made you decide to work on it?", "answer": "Engineers and scientists rely on simulations and physical testing to understand how the world works. Today, those tools are slow, expensive, and fragmented. \r\n\r\nRunning a single simulation can take hours to days. Building physical prototypes takes weeks to months. Every domain—from fluid dynamics to thermal modeling—requires different solvers, different experts, and perfect setups. This creates massive bottlenecks in innovation. We’re building AI that turns engineering questions into instant, physics-based models. No solvers. No bottlenecks." }, { "question": "What is your long-term vision? If you truly succeed, what will be different about the world?", "answer": "The next wave of breakthroughs will come from AI that deeply understands physics, not just text.\r\n\r\nWe’re building Godela to give humanity the power to instantly model, explore, and invent across the physical world. Imagine being able to instantly test any idea, uncover hidden relationships, and accelerate discovery at the speed of thought." } ], "url": "https://www.ycombinator.com/companies/godela", "api": "https://devasheeshg.github.io/yc-api/batches/spring-2025/godela.json", "year_founded": 2025, "city": "San Francisco", "country": "US", "linkedin_url": "https://www.linkedin.com/company/godela-ai", "x_url": "", "fb_url": null, "cb_url": null, "github_url": null, "logo_url": "https://bookface-images.s3.amazonaws.com/small_logos/fe1589548b774d33ca4f20c5020467a9627f9c13.png", "app_video_url": null, "dday_video_url": null, "company_photos": [], "primary_partner": { "name": "Aaron Epstein", "url": "https://www.ycombinator.com/people/aaron-epstein" }, "founders": [ { "user_id": 1725296, "full_name": "Cinnamon Sipper", "title": "Founder/CEO", "founder_bio": "Built laptops and iPads at Apple. Built AI products for Google. Now building Godela—AI that models the physical world, for engineers and scientists everywhere.\n", "is_active": true, "linkedin_url": "https://www.linkedin.com/in/cinnamonsipper", "x_url": "", "avatar_thumb_url": "https://bookface-images.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/avatars/570e39102fe604a6a07c24ff01576933926b0869.jpg" }, { "user_id": 2549090, "full_name": "Abhijit Pranav Pamarty", "title": "Founder/CTO", "founder_bio": "Researched physics-driven optimization at Harvard and generative models for fluid mechanics at Stanford. Built surrogate models for semiconductor manufacturing at Intel. Now building Godela - giving engineers and scientists their own AI model for physics.", "is_active": true, "linkedin_url": "https://www.linkedin.com/in/abhijit-pranav-pamarty-6b2453152/", "x_url": "", "avatar_thumb_url": "https://bookface-images.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/avatars/5d4db953f29142244b996d150241a0b4753b00b9.jpg" } ], "jobs": [ { "id": 82147, "title": "Founding Engineer (ML Systems) – Godela", "url": "https://www.ycombinator.com/companies/godela/jobs/6MlUqiS-founding-engineer-ml-systems-godela", "location": "San Francisco, CA, US", "type": "Full-time", "role": "Engineering", "role_type": "Machine learning", "salary_range": "$120K - $180K", "equity_range": "0.10% - 1.50%", "experience": "3+ years", "visa": "Will sponsor", "skills": [ "Amazon Web Services (AWS)", "ML", "Python", "CUDA" ] }, { "id": 82354, "title": "Founding Simulation Engineer – Godela", "url": "https://www.ycombinator.com/companies/godela/jobs/vWajfU5-founding-simulation-engineer-godela", "location": "San Francisco, CA, US", "type": "Full-time", "role": "Engineering", "role_type": "Mechanical", "salary_range": "$120K - $180K", "equity_range": "0.08% - 1.50%", "experience": "3+ years", "visa": "Will sponsor", "skills": [] }, { "id": 82749, "title": "Founding Engineer (SWE) – Godela", "url": "https://www.ycombinator.com/companies/godela/jobs/rKMZtYt-founding-engineer-swe-godela", "location": "San Francisco, CA, US", "type": "Full-time", "role": "Engineering", "role_type": "Full stack", "salary_range": "$120K - $180K", "equity_range": "0.10% - 1.50%", "experience": "3+ years", "visa": "Will sponsor", "skills": [ "ML" ] } ], "news": [ { "title": "Three Big Projects That Win The AI Prize In Silicon Valley", "url": "https://www.forbes.com/sites/johnwerner/2025/09/19/three-big-projects-that-win-the-ai-prize-in-silicon-valley/", "date": "Sep 25, 2025" } ], "launches": [ { "id": 90799, "title": "Godela: AI Powered Physics Engine for Engineers", "tagline": "Bringing AI powered intelligence to the physical world", "body": "**AI powered physics is the next frontier**\n\n**TL;DR:** Godela is an AI-powered physics engine that gives engineers faster, cheaper, simulation-quality answers to even the most complicated engineering problems.\n\nHi YC—we’re @Cinnamon Sipper and @Abhijit Pamarty, former engineers at Apple, Google, and Intel, now turning our Stanford research into the future of engineering.\n\nhttps://youtu.be/I5E1Zi9cpM4\n\n**The Problem: Engineering Discovery is Too Slow.** Every groundbreaking innovation—from fusion reactors to life-saving drugs—hinges on understanding how the physical world works. Yet, engineers spend agonizing weeks, even months, wrestling with complex simulations, preprocessing data, and manually tuning parameters just to answer _one_ question. Many critical questions go unasked because the effort is too great.\n\n![uploaded image](/media/?type=post&id=90799&key=user_uploads/1725296/03894dba-703c-4a25-a00b-b1ba24b27392)\n\n**Our Vision: Ask About the Physical World as Easily as You Use Language.** Imagine a world where understanding the implications of a new design, material, or physical scenario is as instant as a search query. That’s the future Godela is building.\n\n![uploaded image](/media/?type=post&id=90799&key=user_uploads/1725296/b7ae00e6-d8ea-4354-a110-233a65568e0f)\n\n**Introducing Godela: Your AI Copilot for Engineering.** Godela is an AI-native platform that transforms your engineering questions into computable, physics-informed models—instantly.\n\n* **Ask Anything:** Pose complex questions in natural language or with your existing data.\n* **Upload Your World:** Integrate CAD files, experimental results, or existing simulation data.\n* **Get Instant Insights:** Receive actionable, simulation-quality models you can explore, refine, and iterate on immediately.\n\nInstead of replacing simulations, Godela becomes their intelligent, adaptive home—blending diverse data sources with AI to provide insights that were previously out of reach or would take weeks to uncover.\n\n**Why We’re Building This:** As engineers who’ve designed everything from chips and laptops to particle accelerators, we’ve lived the frustration of slow design-simulation loops. Inspired by how AI revolutionized access to information (like ChatGPT for language), we believe it’s time for the same leap in understanding the physical world.\n\n![uploaded image](/media/?type=post&id=90799&key=user_uploads/1725296/308937e8-b076-46b9-a432-39585f6ea464)\n\n**Partner with Us:** We're looking for forward-thinking engineering teams eager to break free from traditional simulation constraints. If you know engineers battling simulation bottlenecks, send them our way!\n\nIf you want to accelerate your design cycles and unlock new levels of understanding:\n\n🌐 Visit: [www.godela.ai](http://www.godela.ai) \n\n✉️ Email us: [founders@godela.ai](mailto:founders@godela.ai) \n\n🗣️ Talk to us: https://calendly.com/cinnamon-sipper", "url": "https://www.ycombinator.com/launches/NcV-godela-ai-powered-physics-engine-for-engineers", "votes": 129, "created_at": "2025-05-28T13:50:39.357Z" } ] }, { "id": 30631, "name": "Null Labs", "slug": "null-labs", "former_names": [ "Corvus Defense" ], "small_logo_thumb_url": "https://bookface-images.s3.amazonaws.com/small_logos/5c6d34be502792f6dd14717502e2286fd5399a8b.png", "website": "https://n0labs.com", "all_locations": "San Francisco, CA, USA", "long_description": "We provide defense companies with simulation infrastructure to train and validate autonomous systems.\r\n", "one_liner": "End-to-end Simulation for Defense Autonomy", "team_size": 2, "industry": "Industrials", "subindustry": "Industrials -> Defense", "launched_at": 1763086396, "tags": [ "Robotics", "Aerospace" ], "tags_highlighted": [], "top_company": false, "isHiring": false, "nonprofit": false, "batch": "Fall 2025", "status": "Active", "industries": [ "Industrials", "Defense" ], "regions": [ "United States of America", "America / Canada" ], "stage": "Early", "app_video_public": false, "demo_day_video_public": false, "app_answers": null, "question_answers": null, "url": "https://www.ycombinator.com/companies/null-labs", "api": "https://devasheeshg.github.io/yc-api/batches/fall-2025/null-labs.json", "year_founded": 2025, "city": "San Francisco", "country": "US", "linkedin_url": "https://www.linkedin.com/company/n0lab", "x_url": "", "fb_url": null, "cb_url": null, "github_url": null, "logo_url": "https://bookface-images.s3.amazonaws.com/small_logos/5c6d34be502792f6dd14717502e2286fd5399a8b.png", "app_video_url": null, "dday_video_url": null, "company_photos": [], "primary_partner": { "name": "Brad Flora", "url": "https://www.ycombinator.com/people/brad-flora" }, "founders": [ { "user_id": 1742187, "full_name": "Kristopher Luo", "title": "Founder/CEO", "founder_bio": "Previously Stanford EE and CS. Conducted research in the nanofabrication lab, and worked in industry on automating vision to action pipelines for agriculture robotics. Also deployed neural networks on edge including a patented system for child heat protection in vehicles. ", "is_active": true, "linkedin_url": "https://www.linkedin.com/in/krisluo", "x_url": "https://x.com/theKrisLuo", "avatar_thumb_url": "https://bookface-images.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/avatars/d15a85b53b352a41a9b96f6c123f78754ef02ca6.jpg" }, { "user_id": 1959092, "full_name": "Niel Ok", "title": "Founder/CTO", "founder_bio": "Co-founder and CTO at Null Labs. Previously led infrastructure at a DeepMind spinout working on automating AI research and studied EE and did neuroscience theory research at Stanford. ", "is_active": true, "linkedin_url": "https://www.linkedin.com/in/niel-ok/", "x_url": "https://x.com/nielok20", "avatar_thumb_url": "https://bookface-images.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/avatars/a9410ed47494d188fbca6cc705e1d684e8dd53f7.jpg" } ], "jobs": [], "news": [], "launches": [] }, { "id": 30881, "name": "Wardstone", "slug": "wardstone", "former_names": [], "small_logo_thumb_url": "https://bookface-images.s3.amazonaws.com/small_logos/12a498451818daa71ba01c88400ac7f241e33a03.png", "website": "https://www.wardstone.us", "all_locations": "Los Angeles, CA, USA", "long_description": "Wardstone builds a low-cost, modular interceptor platform for air and missile defense. Our platform enables the warfighter to right sizes their interceptors against the threat. This allows us to defeat air-breathing and ballistic missile threats at a fraction of the cost of exquisite interceptors, adding affordable magazine depth to existing air defense systems.", "one_liner": "The Modular Interceptor Platform", "team_size": 8, "industry": "Industrials", "subindustry": "Industrials -> Aviation and Space", "launched_at": 1758642388, "tags": [ "Hard Tech", "Satellites", "Rocketry", "Aerospace", "Defense" ], "tags_highlighted": [], "top_company": false, "isHiring": true, "nonprofit": false, "batch": "Fall 2025", "status": "Active", "industries": [ "Industrials", "Aviation and Space" ], "regions": [ "United States of America", "America / Canada" ], "stage": "Early", "app_video_public": false, "demo_day_video_public": false, "app_answers": null, "question_answers": null, "url": "https://www.ycombinator.com/companies/wardstone", "api": "https://devasheeshg.github.io/yc-api/batches/fall-2025/wardstone.json", "year_founded": 2025, "city": "Los Angeles", "country": "US", "linkedin_url": "https://linkedin.com/company/wardstone", "x_url": "", "fb_url": null, "cb_url": null, "github_url": null, "logo_url": "https://bookface-images.s3.amazonaws.com/small_logos/12a498451818daa71ba01c88400ac7f241e33a03.png", "app_video_url": null, "dday_video_url": null, "company_photos": [ "https://bookface-images.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/attachments/ab81317481142b07105aa808600a4b4749295538.png", "https://bookface-images.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/attachments/4efeb33d5678c6b0ea2ce77889b521cbdc962c8c.png" ], "primary_partner": { "name": "Garry Tan", "url": "https://www.ycombinator.com/people/garry-tan" }, "founders": [ { "user_id": 2077453, "full_name": "Sebastian Fischer", "title": "Founder/CEO", "founder_bio": "I am the cofounder & CEO of Wardstone, a missile defense company building modular interceptors to defend the U.S. and its allies from air-breathing and ballistic missiles. I have 11+ years of engineering and product experience in satellites, drones, and self-driving cars. I held leadership roles at Amazon Prime Air and Cruise Self-Driving and previously worked at Lockheed Martin and NASA on Planetary Spacecraft. I studied Aerospace Engineering at MIT and did a dual MS/MBA degree at Harvard. ", "is_active": true, "linkedin_url": "https://www.linkedin.com/in/sebastian-fischer-71ba9658/", "x_url": "", "avatar_thumb_url": "https://bookface-images.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/avatars/a975f42da11779da4b51eab7d8fee48c2476250c.jpg" }, { "user_id": 736136, "full_name": "Tobias Fischer", "title": "Founder/CTO", "founder_bio": "I am the cofounder of Wardstone, where I lead the technical development of next-generation defense spacecraft. Previously I worked at Astranis, building, launching, and operating geostationary communication satellites. I hold a bachelor's in mechanical engineering from Cornell University. At Cornell, I was the Chief Spacecraft Engineer for a lunar CubeSat mission that demonstrated novel electric propulsion and navigation systems.", "is_active": true, "linkedin_url": "https://www.linkedin.com/in/tobifischer", "x_url": "", "avatar_thumb_url": "https://bookface-images.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/avatars/2169bbf45e34664f0faded58ac46a6922eee79ba.jpg" } ], "jobs": [ { "id": 117400, "title": "Mechanical Engineer", "url": "https://www.ycombinator.com/companies/wardstone/jobs/CFCKb8f-mechanical-engineer", "location": "El Segundo, United States", "type": "Full-time", "role": "Engineering", "role_type": "Full stack", "salary_range": "", "equity_range": "", "experience": "Any (new grads ok)", "visa": "US citizen/visa only", "skills": [] }, { "id": 117401, "title": "Senior Propulsion Engineer - Solid Rocket Motors", "url": "https://www.ycombinator.com/companies/wardstone/jobs/fsF9kpQ-senior-propulsion-engineer-solid-rocket-motors", "location": "El Segundo, United States", "type": "Full-time", "role": "Engineering", "role_type": "Full stack", "salary_range": "", "equity_range": "", "experience": "5+ years", "visa": "US citizen/visa only", "skills": [] }, { "id": 117402, "title": "Lead Guidance, Navigation, and Controls Engineer", "url": "https://www.ycombinator.com/companies/wardstone/jobs/Rx9NXGQ-lead-guidance-navigation-and-controls-engineer", "location": "El Segundo, United States", "type": "Full-time", "role": "Engineering", "role_type": "Full stack", "salary_range": "", "equity_range": "", "experience": "5+ years", "visa": "US citizen/visa only", "skills": [] }, { "id": 117404, "title": "Engineering Intern", "url": "https://www.ycombinator.com/companies/wardstone/jobs/ebmOtW6-engineering-intern", "location": "El Segundo, United States", "type": "Full-time", "role": "Engineering", "role_type": "Full stack", "salary_range": "", "equity_range": "", "experience": "Any (new grads ok)", "visa": "US citizen/visa only", "skills": [] }, { "id": 117406, "title": "Senior RF Engineer", "url": "https://www.ycombinator.com/companies/wardstone/jobs/dGSECYn-senior-rf-engineer", "location": "El Segundo, United States", "type": "Full-time", "role": "Engineering", "role_type": "Full stack", "salary_range": "", "equity_range": "", "experience": "5+ years", "visa": "US citizen/visa only", "skills": [] }, { "id": 117407, "title": "Lead Mechanical Engineer", "url": "https://www.ycombinator.com/companies/wardstone/jobs/VWvGVK4-lead-mechanical-engineer", "location": "El Segundo, United States", "type": "Full-time", "role": "Engineering", "role_type": "Full stack", "salary_range": "", "equity_range": "", "experience": "5+ years", "visa": "US citizen/visa only", "skills": [] }, { "id": 117408, "title": "Senior Mechanical Engineer", "url": "https://www.ycombinator.com/companies/wardstone/jobs/jr5qBxR-senior-mechanical-engineer", "location": "El Segundo, United States", "type": "Full-time", "role": "Engineering", "role_type": "Full stack", "salary_range": "", "equity_range": "", "experience": "5+ years", "visa": "US citizen/visa only", "skills": [] }, { "id": 117409, "title": "Senior Aerodynamics Engineer", "url": "https://www.ycombinator.com/companies/wardstone/jobs/ucT0UPc-senior-aerodynamics-engineer", "location": "El Segundo, United States", "type": "Full-time", "role": "Engineering", "role_type": "Full stack", "salary_range": "", "equity_range": "", "experience": "5+ years", "visa": "US citizen/visa only", "skills": [] }, { "id": 117410, "title": "Propulsion Engineer", "url": "https://www.ycombinator.com/companies/wardstone/jobs/0GHovwc-propulsion-engineer", "location": "El Segundo, United States", "type": "Full-time", "role": "Engineering", "role_type": "Full stack", "salary_range": "", "equity_range": "", "experience": "Any (new grads ok)", "visa": "US citizen/visa only", "skills": [] }, { "id": 117411, "title": "Technical Program Manager", "url": "https://www.ycombinator.com/companies/wardstone/jobs/kOxrx3O-technical-program-manager", "location": "El Segundo, United States", "type": "Full-time", "role": "Operations", "role_type": null, "salary_range": "", "equity_range": "", "experience": "5+ years", "visa": "US citizen/visa only", "skills": [] }, { "id": 117412, "title": "Avionics Technician", "url": "https://www.ycombinator.com/companies/wardstone/jobs/2Cri5XL-avionics-technician", "location": "El Segundo, United States", "type": "Full-time", "role": "Operations", "role_type": null, "salary_range": "", "equity_range": "", "experience": "Any (new grads ok)", "visa": "US citizen/visa only", "skills": [] }, { "id": 117413, "title": "Mechanical Technician", "url": "https://www.ycombinator.com/companies/wardstone/jobs/QdOCjsL-mechanical-technician", "location": "El Segundo, United States", "type": "Full-time", "role": "Operations", "role_type": null, "salary_range": "", "equity_range": "", "experience": "Any (new grads ok)", "visa": "US citizen/visa only", "skills": [] }, { "id": 117414, "title": "Operations and Logistics Associate", "url": "https://www.ycombinator.com/companies/wardstone/jobs/oD6arcZ-operations-and-logistics-associate", "location": "El Segundo, United States", "type": "Full-time", "role": "Operations", "role_type": null, "salary_range": "", "equity_range": "", "experience": "1+ years", "visa": "US citizen/visa only", "skills": [] }, { "id": 117415, "title": "Supply Chain Manager", "url": "https://www.ycombinator.com/companies/wardstone/jobs/adts588-supply-chain-manager", "location": "El Segundo, United States", "type": "Full-time", "role": "Operations", "role_type": null, "salary_range": "", "equity_range": "", "experience": "5+ years", "visa": "US citizen/visa only", "skills": [] }, { "id": 117416, "title": "Head of Manufacturing", "url": "https://www.ycombinator.com/companies/wardstone/jobs/nWEQ2kq-head-of-manufacturing", "location": "El Segundo, United States", "type": "Full-time", "role": "Operations", "role_type": null, "salary_range": "", "equity_range": "", "experience": "5+ years", "visa": "US citizen/visa only", "skills": [] }, { "id": 117456, "title": "MBA Intern - Missile Defense", "url": "https://www.ycombinator.com/companies/wardstone/jobs/oD9vGAc-mba-intern-missile-defense", "location": "El Segundo, United States", "type": "Full-time", "role": "Operations", "role_type": null, "salary_range": "", "equity_range": "", "experience": "Any (new grads ok)", "visa": "US citizen/visa only", "skills": [] }, { "id": 117457, "title": "Avionics Engineer", "url": "https://www.ycombinator.com/companies/wardstone/jobs/vJZ96sk-avionics-engineer", "location": "El Segundo, United States", "type": "Full-time", "role": "Engineering", "role_type": "Full stack", "salary_range": "", "equity_range": "", "experience": "Any (new grads ok)", "visa": "US citizen/visa only", "skills": [] } ], "news": [], "launches": [ { "id": 95440, "title": "Wardstone: Satellites for Missile Defense", "tagline": "Introducing New Space Defense Capabilities for America's Golden Dome", "body": "# **Introduction**\n\nHi YC,\\\n\\\nWe are [Tobias ](https://www.linkedin.com/in/tobifischer/)and [Sebastian](https://www.linkedin.com/in/sebafischer/). Cofounders (and brothers!) of [Wardstone](https://www.wardstone.space/).\\\n\\\n**TL;DR:** Wardstone builds satellites for missile defense. We are pursuing an emerging \\~$40B/year space defense market as part of America’s Golden Dome initiative. Tobias studied Mechanical Engineering at Cornell and worked at Astranis. Sebastian studied Aerospace Engineering at MIT and worked at NASA, Lockheed Martin, Amazon, and Cruise. We built and demoed a live ground-based missile intercept during YC.\n\n# **Launch Video**\n\nCheckout the automated missile defense system we built during YC:\n\nhttps://youtu.be/jXABTM9GZ6s\n\n# **About Wardstone**\n\nWardstone builds space-based interceptors: satellites with interceptors designed to kinetically destroy missiles. New space threats, specifically hypersonic missiles, are emerging as existential threats to the United States. Our current missile defense systems were not designed for this new offensive technology. The United States’ Congress has allocated \\~$25B towards developing new on-orbit hypersonic missile defensive missile capabilities over the next 3 years. Follow on build out of this on-orbit defensive layer coined the _Golden Dome_ has been estimated by congress to cost up to $831B over the next 20 years.\\\n\\\nAt Wardstone, we believe that we can build defensive missile capabilities for a fraction of the cost of the offensive hypersonic weapons themselves, and orders of magnitude cheaper than the defensive concepts being proposed/explored by the major defense primes. We will do this with our first product, Hailstorm, that deploys high speed clouds of buckshot to kinetically destroy hypersonic missiles.\n\nOur integrated interceptor-satellite constellation provides global intercept capabilities from space for various missile types beyond hypersonics. \\\n\\\nThe success of Wardstone and the full deployment of the Golden Dome will place the United States in an incredibly strong geopolitical position.\n\nThe full Wardstone constellation with the space based intercept capability in action will look like this:\n\n![uploaded image](/media/?type=post&id=95440&key=user_uploads/2077453/f2a877a7-c23c-438d-8714-5a854930bba2)\n\n# **Our Progress During YC**\n\nDuring YC we had 2 main objectives: 1) build our first missile intercept demo and 2) establish relationships with our main customer: the US Space Force.\\\n\\\n**The Intercept Demo**\\\nWe built a fully automated missile tracking and intercept system that uses infrared computer vision for predicting the future missile position and a high pressure air cannon to deploy an interceptor to destroy a 150+ mph missile. Our system provided repeatable behavior, could adapt to different missile speeds, and destroyed a total of 3 missiles. Checkout he video above for the entire story and insights into our system. Highlights below:\n\n![uploaded image](/media/?type=post&id=95440&key=user_uploads/2077453/c1d9b5df-8297-4a8a-aec8-a8529cb805e8)\n\n![uploaded image](/media/?type=post&id=95440&key=user_uploads/2077453/4ea3e37d-2172-4627-bd54-67a1f2374fe3)\n\n**Space Force and Other Department of War Relationships**\\\nWe built relationships and engaged with multiple agencies inside the military including: Air Force Research Labs, AFWERX, Space Systems Command Commercialization Office, Space Safari, and the Navy’s Joint Special Operations Command. We are receiving letters of support for an Air Force $3MM Space Based Interceptor SBIR grant and are receiving inbound requests for additional use cases of our technology (Ground to Air, Space to Ground).\\\n\\\nWe have also engaged with five satellite bus and sounding rocket providers to integrate our Space Based Interceptors for our Series A demo milestone.\\\n\\\nIf Space Defense Technology resonates with you, please reach out: [founders@wardstone.space](mailto:founders@wardstone.space).\n\n![uploaded image](/media/?type=post&id=95440&key=user_uploads/2077453/129abf15-7925-4374-9279-d48e58da1fa2)\n\n---", "url": "https://www.ycombinator.com/launches/OpM-wardstone-satellites-for-missile-defense", "votes": 25, "created_at": "2025-11-12T06:56:19.257Z" } ] }, { "id": 30965, "name": "Icarus", "slug": "icarus", "former_names": [], "small_logo_thumb_url": "https://bookface-images.s3.amazonaws.com/small_logos/641db1cdc907f274cb944fd6796edc486aa6d653.png", "website": "https://www.icarus.one/", "all_locations": "Los Angeles, CA, USA", "long_description": "Icarus is building the modern-day U-2 spy plane. Our autonomous solar aircraft fly at 60,000 feet for weeks at a time, eventually months and years, above weather and below satellites. They deliver persistent intelligence and connectivity for the military at a fraction of the cost of existing systems. The stratosphere is the forgotten frontier.", "one_liner": "Stratospheric birds for defense", "team_size": 50, "industry": "Industrials", "subindustry": "Industrials -> Defense", "launched_at": 1759599519, "tags": [ "Hardware", "Aerospace", "Defense" ], "tags_highlighted": [], "top_company": false, "isHiring": true, "nonprofit": false, "batch": "Fall 2025", "status": "Active", "industries": [ "Industrials", "Defense" ], "regions": [ "United States of America", "America / Canada" ], "stage": "Early", "app_video_public": false, "demo_day_video_public": false, "app_answers": null, "question_answers": null, "url": "https://www.ycombinator.com/companies/icarus", "api": "https://devasheeshg.github.io/yc-api/batches/fall-2025/icarus.json", "year_founded": 2023, "city": "Los Angeles", "country": "US", "linkedin_url": "https://www.linkedin.com/company/icarusindustries", "x_url": "https://x.com/henicarus", "fb_url": "https://youtu.be/srWVWG19OXY", "cb_url": null, "github_url": null, "logo_url": "https://bookface-images.s3.amazonaws.com/small_logos/641db1cdc907f274cb944fd6796edc486aa6d653.png", "app_video_url": null, "dday_video_url": null, "company_photos": [ "https://bookface-images.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/attachments/45b66df3250ad001f948f6fadbc64ac7b238e4ff.png", "https://bookface-images.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/attachments/ce10c519656481bb9706dbff7696efcfd518d51e.png" ], "primary_partner": { "name": "Garry Tan", "url": "https://www.ycombinator.com/people/garry-tan" }, "founders": [ { "user_id": 816302, "full_name": "Henry K.", "title": "Founder/CEO", "founder_bio": "Founder & CEO of Icarus. At Orbital, Henry built satellites and helped win a $935M NASA contract to build a space habitat. He saw firsthand how Space is constrained by orbital mechanics. Additionally, he has designed and flown drones for NASA flight sciences, was a finalist in two NASA aerospace design competitions, and previously advised Fortune 500 clients on strategy at Deloitte. He holds an M.S. in Aerospace Engineering from Georgia Tech and a Top Secret SCI clearance.", "is_active": true, "linkedin_url": "https://linkedin.com/in/kwan-henry", "x_url": "https://x.com/henicarus", "avatar_thumb_url": "https://bookface-images.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/avatars/257390481b4aa625bb9681ca4060c4aa11f46da2.jpg" } ], "jobs": [ { "id": 89446, "title": "Senior Electrical Engineer", "url": "https://www.ycombinator.com/companies/icarus/jobs/mkkPiGN-senior-electrical-engineer", "location": "Los Angeles, CA, US", "type": "Full-time", "role": "Engineering", "role_type": "Electrical", "salary_range": "$120K - $220K", "equity_range": "", "experience": "1+ years", "visa": "US citizen/visa only", "skills": [] }, { "id": 89447, "title": "Senior Embedded Software Engineer", "url": "https://www.ycombinator.com/companies/icarus/jobs/rB9hg8j-senior-embedded-software-engineer", "location": "Los Angeles, CA, US", "type": "Full-time", "role": "Engineering", "role_type": "Embedded systems", "salary_range": "$120K - $220K", "equity_range": "", "experience": "1+ years", "visa": "US citizen/visa only", "skills": [] }, { "id": 89448, "title": "Senior Forward Deployed Engineer", "url": "https://www.ycombinator.com/companies/icarus/jobs/UEIwBrH-senior-forward-deployed-engineer", "location": "Los Angeles, CA, US", "type": "Full-time", "role": "Engineering", "role_type": "Hardware", "salary_range": "$120K - $220K", "equity_range": "", "experience": "1+ years", "visa": "US citizen/visa only", "skills": [] }, { "id": 89449, "title": "Senior Full Stack Software Engineer", "url": "https://www.ycombinator.com/companies/icarus/jobs/Brx6SmM-senior-full-stack-software-engineer", "location": "Los Angeles, CA, US", "type": "Full-time", "role": "Engineering", "role_type": "Full stack", "salary_range": "$120K - $220K", "equity_range": "", "experience": "1+ years", "visa": "US citizen/visa only", "skills": [] }, { "id": 89450, "title": "Senior GNC Engineer", "url": "https://www.ycombinator.com/companies/icarus/jobs/SaTMErI-senior-gnc-engineer", "location": "Los Angeles, CA, US", "type": "Full-time", "role": "Engineering", "role_type": "Hardware", "salary_range": "$120K - $220K", "equity_range": "", "experience": "1+ years", "visa": "US citizen/visa only", "skills": [] }, { "id": 89451, "title": "Senior Manufacturing Engineer", "url": "https://www.ycombinator.com/companies/icarus/jobs/mmJ5itp-senior-manufacturing-engineer", "location": "Los Angeles, CA, US", "type": "Full-time", "role": "Engineering", "role_type": "Hardware", "salary_range": "$120K - $220K", "equity_range": "", "experience": "1+ years", "visa": "US citizen/visa only", "skills": [] }, { "id": 89452, "title": "Senior Mechanical Engineer", "url": "https://www.ycombinator.com/companies/icarus/jobs/NPSWtPv-senior-mechanical-engineer", "location": "Los Angeles, CA, US", "type": "Full-time", "role": "Engineering", "role_type": "Mechanical", "salary_range": "$120K - $220K", "equity_range": "", "experience": "1+ years", "visa": "US citizen/visa only", "skills": [] }, { "id": 89453, "title": "Senior RF Engineer", "url": "https://www.ycombinator.com/companies/icarus/jobs/eDMowlW-senior-rf-engineer", "location": "Los Angeles, CA, US", "type": "Full-time", "role": "Engineering", "role_type": "Hardware", "salary_range": "$120K - $220K", "equity_range": "", "experience": "1+ years", "visa": "US citizen/visa only", "skills": [] } ], "news": [], "launches": [] }, { "id": 30973, "name": "General Astronautics", "slug": "generalastro", "former_names": [], "small_logo_thumb_url": "https://bookface-images.s3.amazonaws.com/small_logos/3d7cf823c4893a350166b41685cc7e72de36fe4d.png", "website": "https://generalastro.com/", "all_locations": "San Francisco, CA, USA", "long_description": "Autonomous robotics for space operations.", "one_liner": "Superintelligent space Robots", "team_size": 4, "industry": "Industrials", "subindustry": "Industrials -> Aviation and Space", "launched_at": 1772084363, "tags": [ "Aerospace" ], "tags_highlighted": [], "top_company": false, "isHiring": true, "nonprofit": false, "batch": "Winter 2026", "status": "Active", "industries": [ "Industrials", "Aviation and Space" ], "regions": [ "United States of America", "America / Canada" ], "stage": "Early", "app_video_public": false, "demo_day_video_public": true, "app_answers": null, "question_answers": null, "url": "https://www.ycombinator.com/companies/generalastro", "api": "https://devasheeshg.github.io/yc-api/batches/winter-2026/generalastro.json", "year_founded": 2025, "city": "San Francisco", "country": "US", "linkedin_url": "https://www.linkedin.com/company/generalastronautics", "x_url": "https://x.com/GenAstronautics", "fb_url": null, "cb_url": null, "github_url": null, "logo_url": "https://bookface-images.s3.amazonaws.com/small_logos/3d7cf823c4893a350166b41685cc7e72de36fe4d.png", "app_video_url": null, "dday_video_url": "https://bookface-images.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/video_event/81/1774387177-08b81efd6ad44d12fc7e1a071e13a0f4/ad2c074ed39b01f6ca5a7b0c0c44e296.mp4?X-Amz-Algorithm=AWS4-HMAC-SHA256&X-Amz-Credential=AKIAQC4NIECABPQ2AHNW%2F20261020%2Fus-west-2%2Fs3%2Faws4_request&X-Amz-Date=20261020T022732Z&X-Amz-Expires=3600&X-Amz-SignedHeaders=host&X-Amz-Signature=a3fd179e219c3fa33aede068bfee02082e2efea0e8e83dbb153279e8476d706e", "company_photos": [], "primary_partner": { "name": "Jon Xu", "url": "https://www.ycombinator.com/people/jon-xu" }, "founders": [ { "user_id": 2369572, "full_name": "Bram Schork", "title": "Founder/CEO", "founder_bio": "Bram is a Caltech aerospace engineer who founded General Astronautics after building hardware reliability systems for SpaceX's Starlink Lasers, shipping industrial autonomous robots, and developing optical tracking systems at SBIR-funded startups. Microgravity unlocks better pharmaceuticals, semiconductors, and advanced materials. The bottleneck is labor, not science, and robots can solve that now.", "is_active": true, "linkedin_url": "https://www.linkedin.com/in/bramschork/", "x_url": "https://x.com/bramschork", "avatar_thumb_url": "https://bookface-images.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/avatars/6381c9462184e188325dc00ce43202254ebf1126.jpg" } ], "jobs": [ { "id": 116339, "title": "Robotics Controls Engineer", "url": "https://www.ycombinator.com/companies/generalastro/jobs/N0Ya6hT-robotics-controls-engineer", "location": "El Segundo, CA", "type": "Full-time", "role": "Engineering", "role_type": "Full stack", "salary_range": "$140K - $170K", "equity_range": "0.25% - 0.50%", "experience": "Any (new grads ok)", "visa": "US citizen/visa only", "skills": [] }, { "id": 116340, "title": "Mechanical Engineer", "url": "https://www.ycombinator.com/companies/generalastro/jobs/kfNPWsr-mechanical-engineer", "location": "El Segundo, CA", "type": "Full-time", "role": "Engineering", "role_type": "Full stack", "salary_range": "$140K - $170K", "equity_range": "0.25% - 0.50%", "experience": "Any (new grads ok)", "visa": "US citizen/visa only", "skills": [] }, { "id": 116735, "title": "Head of Government Business Development", "url": "https://www.ycombinator.com/companies/generalastro/jobs/Jx28HSk-head-of-government-business-development", "location": "El Segundo, CA", "type": "Full-time", "role": "Sales", "role_type": null, "salary_range": "$140K - $170K", "equity_range": "0.25% - 0.50%", "experience": "5+ years", "visa": "US citizen/visa only", "skills": [] }, { "id": 116736, "title": "Mechanical Engineering Internship/Co-op (Spring 2027)", "url": "https://www.ycombinator.com/companies/generalastro/jobs/OGY3J3A-mechanical-engineering-internship-co-op-spring-2027", "location": "El Segundo, CA", "type": "Internship", "role": "Engineering", "role_type": "Full stack", "salary_range": "$30 / hourly", "equity_range": "", "experience": null, "visa": "US citizen/visa only", "skills": [] }, { "id": 116737, "title": "Mechanical Engineering Internship/Co-op (Summer 2027)", "url": "https://www.ycombinator.com/companies/generalastro/jobs/HxQR8kq-mechanical-engineering-internship-co-op-summer-2027", "location": "El Segundo, CA", "type": "Internship", "role": "Engineering", "role_type": "Full stack", "salary_range": "$30 / hourly", "equity_range": "", "experience": null, "visa": "US citizen/visa only", "skills": [] } ], "news": [], "launches": [ { "id": 98216, "title": "General Astronautics — Robots for Space", "tagline": "Robots for microgravity research and manufacturing.", "body": "# Launch YC: General Astronautics — Robots for Space\n\n**TL;DR:** General Astronautics builds autonomous robots for research and manufacturing in space. Microgravity unlocks better pharmaceuticals, purer semiconductors, and flawless optical fibers. The bottleneck was never the science, it was the labor to do it.\n\n\n\n**Advantage of Microgravity**\n\nMicrogravity changes what's physically possible. Proteins crystallize with fewer defects, critical for drug development. Semiconductors and optical fibers form without the flaws that gravity creates. Pharma and tech companies are already investing in orbital research.\n\n**The Problem**\n\nBut astronaut time is expensive, and there's not nearly enough of it. On ISS, NASA estimates crew time at $130K per hour. On commercial stations, it's more than three times that. Crews have to sleep, rotate home, and pick and choose which experiments to run. Most of the work that could happen in space simply doesn't.\n\n**The Solution**\n\nWe're building robotic systems that handle laboratory work: pipetting, sample prep, plate handling, reagent mixing, with the precision and autonomy to operate without crew. The goal is simple: make microgravity research and manufacturing scalable, not bottlenecked by how many people you can put in orbit.\n\nOur team comes from SpaceX, Caltech, and Carnegie Mellon. We've spent our careers on robotics, spacecraft systems, and the intersection of both. We started General Astronautics because the limiting factor in space was never the science, it is the capacity to do it at scale.\n\n**The Ask**\n\nIf you have connections to pharma or biotech companies interested in space-based research, whether protein crystallization, biologics, cell culture, or silicon manufacturing, we'd love an intro.\n\nConnect with us: [founders@generalastro.com](mailto:bram@generalastro.com)\n\nX: \n\nLinkedIn: ", "url": "https://www.ycombinator.com/launches/PY8-general-astronautics-robots-for-space", "votes": 15, "created_at": "2026-02-26T19:57:51.987Z" } ] }, { "id": 31021, "name": "Zephyr Fusion", "slug": "zephyr-fusion", "former_names": [], "small_logo_thumb_url": "https://bookface-images.s3.amazonaws.com/small_logos/c896e2a98ef03115005ed5ae8acd4500d7eea752.png", "website": "https://www.zephyrfusion.com", "all_locations": "San Diego, CA, USA", "long_description": "Zephyr Fusion is building the first in-orbit fusion power source: a megawatt-class reactor enabling large-scale industry in space, at a fraction of the cost of equivalent solar.\r\n\r\nFounded by former physicists from Lawrence Livermore and Oak Ridge National Laboratories, Zephyr leverages decades of fusion research to deliver a compact magnetic confinement system designed to take advantage of the space environment.", "one_liner": "Powering tomorrow's industrial revolution in space", "team_size": 2, "industry": "Industrials", "subindustry": "Industrials -> Energy", "launched_at": 1762532179, "tags": [ "Fusion Energy", "Hard Tech", "Satellites", "Aerospace" ], "tags_highlighted": [], "top_company": false, "isHiring": false, "nonprofit": false, "batch": "Fall 2025", "status": "Active", "industries": [ "Industrials", "Energy" ], "regions": [ "United States of America", "America / Canada" ], "stage": "Early", "app_video_public": false, "demo_day_video_public": false, "app_answers": null, "question_answers": null, "url": "https://www.ycombinator.com/companies/zephyr-fusion", "api": "https://devasheeshg.github.io/yc-api/batches/fall-2025/zephyr-fusion.json", "year_founded": 2025, "city": "San Diego", "country": "US", "linkedin_url": "https://www.linkedin.com/company/zephyr-fusion", "x_url": "https://x.com/Zephyr_Fusion", "fb_url": null, "cb_url": null, "github_url": null, "logo_url": "https://bookface-images.s3.amazonaws.com/small_logos/c896e2a98ef03115005ed5ae8acd4500d7eea752.png", "app_video_url": null, "dday_video_url": null, "company_photos": [], "primary_partner": { "name": "Garry Tan", "url": "https://www.ycombinator.com/people/garry-tan" }, "founders": [ { "user_id": 2842889, "full_name": "Edward Hinson", "title": "Founder", "founder_bio": "Cofounder of Zephyr Fusion, an in-orbit fusion power company. 20+ years in mathematical modeling and experimental plasma physics. Former scientist at Oak Ridge National Lab and UW-Madison. PhD in Nuclear Engineering and Engineering Physics.", "is_active": true, "linkedin_url": "https://www.linkedin.com/in/edward-hinson-078b15143/", "x_url": "", "avatar_thumb_url": "https://bookface-images.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/avatars/7d140c01f06bf0f6bd2775b56bbb6dd17665d759.jpg" }, { "user_id": 2938721, "full_name": "Galen Burke", "title": "Founder", "founder_bio": "Co-founder of Zephyr fusion, an in-orbit fusion power company. 15+ years in cutting edge diagnostics and plasma physics. Former scientist at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and the University of Wisconsin-Madison. PhD in Nuclear Engineering and Engineering Physics.", "is_active": true, "linkedin_url": "https://www.linkedin.com/in/galen-burke-78923317/", "x_url": "", "avatar_thumb_url": "https://bookface-images.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/avatars/98c843bf90dac8ffc44e771edb2b7073905edb05.jpg" } ], "jobs": [], "news": [], "launches": [ { "id": 95415, "title": "Zephyr Fusion: In-orbit fusion power", "tagline": "Powering tomorrow's industrial revolution in space", "body": "**TL;DR: Most satellites are limited to kilowatt-scale solar power, constraining high-power applications in orbit. The unlimited vacuum in space allows a dipole magnetic confinement device to form the large plasma confinement regions fusion requires without bulky reactor hardware. With HTS magnets and declining launch costs, compact megawatt-class fusion in orbit is now within reach, unlocking an industrial space economy.**\n\n![uploaded image](/media/?type=post&id=95415&key=user_uploads/2938721/f0f7e94a-1ebe-4b6d-8d0e-b4fa8aad7051)\n\n**Who We Are**\n\nHi everyone! We’re Dr. Galen Burke and Dr. Edward Hinson, founders of Zephyr Fusion. After years working on some of the hardest problems in fusion energy at Oak Ridge and Lawrence Livermore National Labs, we realized something fundamental: fusion actually gets easier in space.\n\nWe’ve been friends and collaborators since 2010 in grad school at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where we operated a spherical tokamak. We subsequently continued research at premier fusion research facilities, like the W7-X stellarator in Greifswald and the premier US tokamak, the DIII-D National Fusion Facility in San Diego, as employees of US DOE National Labs. Between us, we’ve accumulated 35+ years of experimental fusion research experience, publishing in _Physical Review Letters_, _Nuclear Fusion_, and _Physics of Plasmas_, and others.\n\n**Launching Zephyr Fusion**\n\n“Fusion in space” sounds ambitious - and it is - but it is grounded in well-established physics and enabled by new economics. Zephyr Fusion exists because the physics and economics now align: high-temperature superconductors and drastically reduced launch costs make it possible to build compact, megawatt-class orbital fusion power. We’re here to bring real power to the space economy.\n\nOur goal is simple: Provide megawatt-class power in orbit.\n\nThe space economy is fundamentally power-limited. Most satellites operate on the power equivalent of a toaster or two. While the Sun provides about 1 kW/m², scaling solar beyond \\~10 kW rapidly becomes mass- and cost-prohibitive. For example, the ISS’s new 120 kW roll-out arrays cost roughly $100M, or about $1B/MW installed. Advancing beyond this power limit would catalyze a new economy: large-scale industrial activity, data centers, high-power electrical propulsion, large human habitats, and more.\n\n**Why Space Makes Fusion Easier**\n\nThe performance of magnetic fusion devices scales with the size of the plasma, specifically the magnetized vacuum volume they occupy. Magnetized vacuum is in fact the most essential resource for fusion plasmas. The performance improvement is quantified with “energy confinement time,” τₑ, roughly how long energy stays in the plasma. For tokamaks, global experiments have shown roughly:\n\nτₑ \\~ R²\n\nwhere R is the device radius. Fusion gets easier when the plasma is big.\n\nOn Earth, increasing plasma size forces the entire reactor to scale up with it, driving cost - which is why ITER - the world’s largest tokamak - has a \\~6m plasma radius and a \\~$65B price tag ([DOE 2018](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CHRG-115shrg19104909/pdf/CHRG-115shrg19104909.pdf)). It is a research project, but ball-parking ITER as a 100MWe reactor, the expense amounts to $0.65B/MW - notably still less than what is being paid now for large-scale space solar, but a long way from commercial viability in the competitive commodity market back on Earth. The physics imperative for larger plasmas leads to devices that are larger still.\n\nBut in space, the link between hardware size and plasma size can be broken.\n\nA dipole magnetic field (which may be familiar from planetary magnetospheres), allows the plasma to form a large, self-organized region enclosing a single coil, extending into the external vacuum. In space, the outer boundary is not a physical wall but free vacuum. This “inside-out” configuration removes the dominant energy loss channel in terrestrial devices and allows for very large effective magnetized vacuum volumes with minimized hardware footprint. Furthermore, scalings obtained from the physics of magnetospheric dipoles appear to hold in dipole reactors as well ([LDX Nature Physics 2010](https://www.nature.com/articles/nphys1510)), implying that fusion power in a dipole reactor grows extremely strongly with radius.\n\nIn other words:\n\nA meter-scale dipole coil in orbit, that can be built today, can produce a magnetized volume exceeding that of ITER, at a tiny fraction of the mass and cost, and ITER-scale confinement may be accessible with hardware that fits on a SpaceX Falcon 9 launch vehicle.\n\n![uploaded image](/media/?type=post&id=95415&key=user_uploads/2938721/b30c091c-ecb7-4b4d-9998-f738a5d5352c)\n\nDipole fusion reactors in space have been proposed before, notably by [Edward Teller](https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.13182/FST92-A30057), but have only become practical now because:\n\n• Launch costs have dropped by \\~10x in the last decade.\n\n• Mass-produced, HTS tapes provide - 10x more field per kg in the last decade\n\nThe _two price shocks multiply_: cost of field-per-kilogram and cost of kilograms-to-orbit are both independently collapsing. In orbit this results in an ongoing “price shock squared” in just the resource we need for fusion: magnetized vacuum.\n\n**Why This Matters**\n\nPower is the final barrier to a real space economy:\n\n• Large computing and data centers in orbit\n\n• Industrial manufacturing and materials processing in microgravity\n\n• High-power electric propulsion stages\n\n• Defense platforms\n\n• Human habitats and long-duration exploration\n\nAll of these require MW-class power.\n\nHumanity's ability to harness concentrated energy has been the driving force behind Earth's industrial revolutions.\n\nWhen hydrocarbons arrived, heavy industry followed.\n\nWhen cheap, compact fusion arrives in orbit, the same thing will happen - off-planet.\n\nAnd the early movers shape the infrastructure layer.\n\nWe founded Zephyr Fusion because we believe the space economy is transitioning from exploration to industry, and industry requires power at scale.\n\nLet’s build it.\n\n**Ask**\n\n**Feedback -** We’d love to discuss the physics and roadmap - reach out anytime.\n\n**Introductions -** If you know satellite, defense, or other teams that have an interest in MW-class power, we’d appreciate intros. Let us know at [founders@zephyrfusion.com](mailto:founders@zephyrfusion.com).\n\nThanks!\n\n\\- The Zephyr Fusion Team\n\n![uploaded image](/media/?type=post&id=95415&key=user_uploads/2938721/ce082155-315b-44b0-af6a-017346eb99db)\n\n", "url": "https://www.ycombinator.com/launches/Oox-zephyr-fusion-in-orbit-fusion-power", "votes": 59, "created_at": "2025-11-12T06:56:27.373Z" } ] }, { "id": 31366, "name": "Nine Fives", "slug": "nine-fives", "former_names": [], "small_logo_thumb_url": "https://bookface-images.s3.amazonaws.com/small_logos/12cace5da5d5e5852e19a386d33613f3f8222281.png", "website": "https://ninefives.com/", "all_locations": "San Francisco, CA, USA", "long_description": "Nine Fives produces modern radio frequency test equipment and solutions to disrupt the $130B test equipment industry. By combining modern electronics, AI ready test automation, and strategic supply chains, we’re equipping our customers to cut their time to market in half.", "one_liner": "RF test equipment for next-gen spacecraft, drones, and cellphones", "team_size": 3, "industry": "Industrials", "subindustry": "Industrials -> Manufacturing and Robotics", "launched_at": 1775260036, "tags": [ "Hard Tech", "Aerospace", "Telecommunications" ], "tags_highlighted": [], "top_company": false, "isHiring": true, "nonprofit": false, "batch": "Spring 2026", "status": "Active", "industries": [ "Industrials", "Manufacturing and Robotics" ], "regions": [ "United States of America", "America / Canada" ], "stage": "Early", "app_video_public": false, "demo_day_video_public": false, "app_answers": null, "question_answers": null, "url": "https://www.ycombinator.com/companies/nine-fives", "api": "https://devasheeshg.github.io/yc-api/batches/spring-2026/nine-fives.json", "year_founded": 2025, "city": "San Francisco", "country": "US", "linkedin_url": "https://www.linkedin.com/company/nine-fives/", "x_url": "", "fb_url": null, "cb_url": null, "github_url": null, "logo_url": "https://bookface-images.s3.amazonaws.com/small_logos/12cace5da5d5e5852e19a386d33613f3f8222281.png", "app_video_url": null, "dday_video_url": null, "company_photos": [], "primary_partner": { "name": "Tom Blomfield", "url": "https://www.ycombinator.com/people/tom-blomfield" }, "founders": [ { "user_id": 2413649, "full_name": "Noah Levy", "title": "Founder/CEO", "founder_bio": "Calibrated largest phased array in SpaceX history, designed Starship primary RF hardware, worked on radar altimeter for Falcon 9 and S-Band Transceiver for Dragon 2 capsule. I am not a fan of modern RF test equipment from legacy vendors.", "is_active": true, "linkedin_url": "https://www.linkedin.com/in/noahmslevy/", "x_url": "", "avatar_thumb_url": "https://bookface-images.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/avatars/4824d2f4b270789c6f137b5e6d9e0e7fb040ee1a.jpg" }, { "user_id": 3423274, "full_name": "Andrew Kurtz", "title": "Founder", "founder_bio": "I spent the last 9 years as a mechanical engineer working on a wide variety of aerospace products. Now building better test equipment with Nine Fives", "is_active": true, "linkedin_url": "https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-e-kurtz/", "x_url": "", "avatar_thumb_url": "https://bookface-images.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/avatars/396d9cf39bf31b1e84877f58de6d522a30909c63.jpg" } ], "jobs": [ { "id": 97341, "title": "Founding Electrical Engineer", "url": "https://www.ycombinator.com/companies/nine-fives/jobs/hDQM135-founding-electrical-engineer", "location": "San Mateo, CA, US", "type": "Full-time", "role": "Engineering", "role_type": "Electrical", "salary_range": "$170K - $200K", "equity_range": "0.50% - 2.00%", "experience": "3+ years", "visa": "US citizen/visa only", "skills": [ "Go", "Python", "Linux", "Embedded Linux", "Firmware", "Prototyping", "PCB design" ] }, { "id": 99344, "title": "Founding RF Engineer", "url": "https://www.ycombinator.com/companies/nine-fives/jobs/dkS9aeZ-founding-rf-engineer", "location": "San Mateo, CA, US", "type": "Full-time", "role": "Engineering", "role_type": "Electrical", "salary_range": "$170K - $200K", "equity_range": "0.50% - 2.00%", "experience": "3+ years", "visa": "US citizen/visa only", "skills": [ "Git", "Go", "MATLAB", "Python", "Embedded Linux", "Firmware", "PCB design", "FPGAs", "Altium" ] } ], "news": [], "launches": [ { "id": 101602, "title": "Nine Fives - Simple, Networked, Driverless RF Test Equipment", "tagline": "Test hardware for companies that can’t wait for their test equipment to catch up.", "body": "**TL;DR: Nine Fives makes test equipment for manufacturers of radio devices in cellphones, drones, or satellites.**\n\n[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7vtMt6-0SvY](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7vtMt6-0SvY%3C/video%3E)\n\n**Problem:** You are a hardware engineer holding up a billion dollar satellite constellation or slipping a cellphone release date because the legacy test equipment in your production line was designed around the January 1997 revision of the USB Human Interface Device specification and the firmware hasn’t been updated since then.\n\nYour AI agent is blissfully unaware of how this thing works because the “documentation” is hidden in a PDF on a password protected FTP server. After the legacy vendor left your email on read for a week they gave you access and sent you a [VB.NET](http://VB.NET) script that they think should work. You ran it and now all 8 of that vendor’s devices in your rack have tried to enumerate as “COM11” in device manager. Now you have 8 broken pieces of equipment instead of just 1!\n\n**Solution:** We’re Noah Levy and Andrew Kurtz and we are building Nine Fives. Together we have spent a decade at SpaceX designing radio frequency hardware and test systems for multi-million dollar products. Our equipment is driverless, touchscreen enabled, and uses a single, machine-readable, API with both REST and SCPI endpoints.\n\nEvery module we build works as a standalone product, but if you use our rack-mountable data and power backplane then you can take advantage of our NineVue web-app for generating easy-to-maintain, machine-readable rack configuration and our [skill.md](http://skill.md) so that your AI agent can finally understand your test system and write your test software. \n\n**Get off the critical path and reduce your production readiness timeline from months to minutes.**\n\n![uploaded image](/media/?type=post&id=101602&key=user_uploads/2413649/0e5ea814-ed4c-4e37-be4c-2ea0f93f59a5)\n\n", "url": "https://www.ycombinator.com/launches/QQk-nine-fives-simple-networked-driverless-rf-test-equipment", "votes": 12, "created_at": "2026-05-21T02:28:09.859Z" } ] }, { "id": 31452, "name": "Degla Inc", "slug": "degla-inc", "former_names": [], "small_logo_thumb_url": "https://bookface-images.s3.amazonaws.com/small_logos/9b4aa40c1f823de9d3ec9a6c4b04e1e382dc5a85.png", "website": "https://degla.ai", "all_locations": "Boston, MA, USA", "long_description": "We turn natural Language into Multi-Drone Mission execution. Degla is built around a simple idea: once you’ve expressed your intent, the system owns the problem.You don’t babysit drones. You don’t micromanage failures. You don’t rewrite plans. You state the goal, Degla figures out how.", "one_liner": "The fully autonomous intelligence layer in the sky.", "team_size": 2, "industry": "Industrials", "subindustry": "Industrials -> Drones", "launched_at": 1775570807, "tags": [ "Hard Tech", "Drones", "Aerospace", "AI" ], "tags_highlighted": [], "top_company": false, "isHiring": false, "nonprofit": false, "batch": "Fall 2026", "status": "Active", "industries": [ "Industrials", "Drones" ], "regions": [ "United States of America", "America / Canada" ], "stage": "Early", "app_video_public": false, "demo_day_video_public": false, "app_answers": null, "question_answers": null, "url": "https://www.ycombinator.com/companies/degla-inc", "api": "https://devasheeshg.github.io/yc-api/batches/fall-2026/degla-inc.json", "year_founded": 2026, "city": "Boston", "country": "US", "linkedin_url": "", "x_url": "", "fb_url": null, "cb_url": null, "github_url": null, "logo_url": "https://bookface-images.s3.amazonaws.com/small_logos/9b4aa40c1f823de9d3ec9a6c4b04e1e382dc5a85.png", "app_video_url": null, "dday_video_url": null, "company_photos": [], "primary_partner": { "name": "Garry Tan", "url": "https://www.ycombinator.com/people/garry-tan" }, "founders": [ { "user_id": 1869155, "full_name": "Aziz Hanafi", "title": "Founder/CEO", "founder_bio": "Founder & CEO @ www.degla.ai", "is_active": true, "linkedin_url": "https://www.linkedin.com/in/aziz-hanafi-496a67164/", "x_url": "", "avatar_thumb_url": "https://bookface-images.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/avatars/694f8d7fb1702740e4b2b65e919a3b60b595f4bb.jpg" } ], "jobs": [], "news": [], "launches": [] }, { "id": 31486, "name": "Ornadyne", "slug": "ornadyne", "former_names": [], "small_logo_thumb_url": "https://bookface-images.s3.amazonaws.com/small_logos/a1b22be817e9ad2d1f4b3a606e7b94d10bc6a8d6.png", "website": "https://ornadyne.com/", "all_locations": "Los Angeles, CA, USA", "long_description": "Ornadyne builds flapping-wing drones for reconnaissance that look, fly, and sound like birds.\r\n\r\nToday’s drones are easy to detect acoustically, visually, and electronically. As counter-UAS systems improve, traditional quadcopters and fixed-wing UAS systems are becoming increasingly ineffective for close-range surveillance. \r\n\r\nFlapping-wing aircraft have existed for years, but have lacked the performance, endurance, and control required for real-world deployment. We’re changing that by engineering a high-performance, stealth-optimized system built from first principles for efficiency, autonomy, and reliable field use.\r\n\r\nThe final frontier of surveillance won’t look like machines; it will look like wildlife already in the sky. \r\n\r\nMaybe birds aren't real?", "one_liner": "We're building robot birds for surveillance.", "team_size": 4, "industry": "Industrials", "subindustry": "Industrials -> Drones", "launched_at": 1777342640, "tags": [ "Hard Tech", "Robotics", "Drones", "Aerospace", "Defense" ], "tags_highlighted": [], "top_company": false, "isHiring": false, "nonprofit": false, "batch": "Spring 2026", "status": "Active", "industries": [ "Industrials", "Drones" ], "regions": [ "United States of America", "America / Canada" ], "stage": "Early", "app_video_public": false, "demo_day_video_public": false, "app_answers": null, "question_answers": null, "url": "https://www.ycombinator.com/companies/ornadyne", "api": "https://devasheeshg.github.io/yc-api/batches/spring-2026/ornadyne.json", "year_founded": 2026, "city": "Los Angeles", "country": "US", "linkedin_url": "https://www.linkedin.com/company/ornadyne/", "x_url": "", "fb_url": null, "cb_url": null, "github_url": null, "logo_url": "https://bookface-images.s3.amazonaws.com/small_logos/a1b22be817e9ad2d1f4b3a606e7b94d10bc6a8d6.png", "app_video_url": null, "dday_video_url": null, "company_photos": [], "primary_partner": { "name": "Aaron Epstein", "url": "https://www.ycombinator.com/people/aaron-epstein" }, "founders": [ { "user_id": 1504179, "full_name": "Geourg Kivijian", "title": "Founder/CEO", "founder_bio": "Co-founder & CEO of Ornadyne. Award-winning engineer (IEEE/AIAA) recognized for pioneering work in flapping-wing robotics. Previously led coordination systems for Mars Sample Return at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory and lunar rovers at Astrolab. Now scaling Ornadyne to bring bio-inspired stealth and efficiency to the next generation of flight. www.geourgkivijian.com", "is_active": true, "linkedin_url": "https://www.linkedin.com/in/geourg-kivijian/", "x_url": "https://x.com/geourgkivijian", "avatar_thumb_url": "https://bookface-images.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/avatars/e337453d3b319353220202f1fe100ab8ce774327.jpg" }, { "user_id": 3374971, "full_name": "Armen Arakelyan", "title": "Founder/CTO", "founder_bio": "Co-founder & CTO at Ornadyne, building autonomous flapping-wing aircraft. Previously a Starship components engineer at SpaceX. Before that, I led machining at USC Rocket Propulsion Laboratory at the University of Southern California, helping the team set the amateur rocketry altitude world record at 144 km.", "is_active": true, "linkedin_url": "https://www.linkedin.com/in/armen-arakelyan-171b71219/", "x_url": "", "avatar_thumb_url": "https://bookface-images.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/avatars/2145da603ff13a23eff254476a2594ae5eed387b.jpg" } ], "jobs": [], "news": [], "launches": [ { "id": 100617, "title": "Ornadyne - Robot Birds for Reconnaissance", "tagline": "Autonomous bird-like drones for military reconnaissance.", "body": "**TL;DR:** Ornadyne is building robot birds for surveillance: drones with cameras for the military that look, fly, and sound like real birds**🦅**\n\n### The Problem(s):\n\nTraditional drones have two main problems:\n\n1. Propellers are **loud**\n2. They don’t blend in; they’re **visually obvious**\n\nThis makes traditional fixed-wing and quadcopter drones extremely detectable, and inadvertently easy to shoot down and run away from.\n\n\n\n---\n\nThis isn’t new. The U.S. used to lead flapping-wing flight, but **today, Europe and China are far ahead. Ornadyne is bringing the U.S. back into the lead.**\n\nWe're building autonomous ornithopters with hour-class flight times, low acoustic signatures, and natural bird-like flight. This makes Ornadyne's drones harder for humans and counter-UAS systems to detect, classify, and target.\n\n![uploaded image](/media/?type=post&id=100617&key=user_uploads/1504179/a361939c-74a4-427b-a2ef-a96f6cdc2884)\n\n---\n\n### The Founders:\n\n**Geourg’s** Master's thesis is built on 2+ years of research and development in flapping-wing drones. His work has received multiple awards through AIAA and IEEE conference publications. He is ex- NASA JPL, and ex-Astrolab, where he worked on Mars and lunar missions.\n\n**Armen** engineered Starship components at SpaceX and previously led machining at USC Rocket Propulsion Laboratory, helping the team set the amateur rocketry altitude world record at 144 km.\n\nBoth founders have been best friends since middle school.\n\n![uploaded image](/media/?type=post&id=100617&key=user_uploads/1504179/60143f25-5da7-45dd-93a0-0be77f9c5b45)\n\n### Ask:\n\nIf you work in defense tech or are building in the space, we’d love to connect. Introductions to anyone who might be interested in working with us would be much appreciated.", "url": "https://www.ycombinator.com/launches/QAr-ornadyne-robot-birds-for-reconnaissance", "votes": 30, "created_at": "2026-05-01T00:54:15.289Z" } ] }, { "id": 32233, "name": "Exosat", "slug": "exosat", "former_names": [], "small_logo_thumb_url": "https://bookface-images.s3.amazonaws.com/small_logos/c71c0447005f2a40e7e7610af283842dbce65e39.png", "website": "https://www.exosat.com", "all_locations": "San Francisco, CA, USA", "long_description": "Exosat is building thousands of low-cost communication satellites to provide a neutral, sovereign alternative to Starlink. By designing our satellites with zero ITAR/EAR-controlled content, we can leverage manufacturers anywhere in the world to produce our satellites at under a tenth of the cost and launch them from other nations to bypass capacity bottlenecks and access equatorial orbits. \r\n\r\nWe're starting off by selling connectivity to device OEMs and network operators, but will eventually use the distributed compute across our constellation to run low-latency inference for robots and autonomous vehicles in remote and rural areas anywhere on the planet.\r\n\r\nWe've already signed hundreds of millions in LOIs to work with operators across Central Asia, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East, booked our first satellite launch next year, and hold an 11,000 satellite filing with the ITU to build the largest comms network outside of the U.S. and China.", "one_liner": "Building a neutral, sovereign alternative to Starlink", "team_size": 3, "industry": "Industrials", "subindustry": "Industrials -> Aviation and Space", "launched_at": 1786056981, "tags": [ "Space Exploration", "Satellites", "Aerospace", "Telecommunications", "AI" ], "tags_highlighted": [], "top_company": false, "isHiring": false, "nonprofit": false, "batch": "Summer 2026", "status": "Active", "industries": [ "Industrials", "Aviation and Space" ], "regions": [ "United States of America", "America / Canada" ], "stage": "Early", "app_video_public": false, "demo_day_video_public": false, "app_answers": null, "question_answers": null, "url": "https://www.ycombinator.com/companies/exosat", "api": "https://devasheeshg.github.io/yc-api/batches/summer-2026/exosat.json", "year_founded": 2026, "city": "San Francisco", "country": "US", "linkedin_url": "https://www.linkedin.com/company/exosatorbit/", "x_url": "https://x.com/Exosat_", "fb_url": null, "cb_url": null, "github_url": null, "logo_url": "https://bookface-images.s3.amazonaws.com/small_logos/c71c0447005f2a40e7e7610af283842dbce65e39.png", "app_video_url": null, "dday_video_url": null, "company_photos": [], "primary_partner": { "name": "Brad Flora", "url": "https://www.ycombinator.com/people/brad-flora" }, "founders": [ { "user_id": 689300, "full_name": "Edward Ge", "title": "Founder/CEO", "founder_bio": "Founder @ Exosat. 2x space-tech founder. Previously co-founded Aethero building radiation-hardened GPUs for edge computing and satellite autonomy. Launched 2 satellites (including the first Nvidia Orin in orbit and another one in partnership with Booz Allen Hamilton). Grew it to millions in revenue from big primes like Blue Origin and AFRL.\n\nBuilt CubeSats and high-powered rockets since high school. ", "is_active": true, "linkedin_url": "https://www.linkedin.com/in/edwardge9/", "x_url": "https://x.com/EdwardGe", "avatar_thumb_url": "https://bookface-images.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/avatars/2ceae5edec26bbe78bb8df0aabb142b12e6e4cf9.jpg" } ], "jobs": [], "news": [], "launches": [ { "id": 109889, "title": "Exosat — Building a sovereign Starlink", "tagline": "Building thousands of low-cost communication satellites as a neutral, sovereign alternative to Starlink. We launch the first one next April.", "body": "**TL;DR: Exosat is building a sovereign alternative to Starlink with thousands of low-cost satellites. We’ve booked our first launch next April and signed hundreds of millions in LOIs with customers across six nations. We’re looking to connect with operators interested in sovereign networks and AI infrastructure. Email us: [founders@exosat.com](mailto:founders@exosat.com)**\n\nExosat is building thousands of low-cost communication satellites to provide a neutral, sovereign alternative to Starlink. \n\nWe launch our first satellite **next April**, have signed **$400M in LOIs** with customers across 6 nations, and hold an ITU filing for 11,000 satellites to build the largest comms network outside of the United States and China.\n\n[Video](https://youtu.be/aABRZfcYAFQ)\n\n### **⏰ Problem**\n\nNations and enterprises are wary about depending on Starlink.\n\nThese concerns aren’t without merit. In 2022, Starlink access was suddenly cut to stop a Ukrainian counteroffensive. As a result, nations have realized that a foreign superpower owning your satellites makes you ultimately dependent on their continued permission to access it.\n\nIn Europe, telecoms are warning about the danger of relying on foreign-owned AI and satellite infrastructure:\n\n![uploaded image](/media/?type=post&id=109889&key=user_uploads/689300/9dc3272a-bf85-4710-ad4d-e4592100ca1e)\n\nIn Indonesia, telecoms are lobbying for a Starlink ban:\n\n![uploaded image](/media/?type=post&id=109889&key=user_uploads/689300/5596ba12-4d01-4acd-b11c-8b1e777bb663)\n\nIn India, Starlink rollout has been delayed due to security concerns:\n\n![uploaded image](/media/?type=post&id=109889&key=user_uploads/689300/e4e7cd9a-e67d-42f8-bd8a-c1a78a0f4034)\n\nAnd even nations like Canada are moving off of dependence on American space infrastructure:\n\n![uploaded image](/media/?type=post&id=109889&key=user_uploads/689300/b73fbed9-3742-4105-8a86-de42843dbd1b)\n\nBut even if they don’t trust Starlink, that doesn’t mean they necessarily trust constellations like Qianfan or Guowang that are owned and operated by Chinese state enterprises.\n\nHowever, other alternatives outside of the U.S. and China face years of delay or need millions of dollars just to build a single satellite, which leaves hundreds of millions people still without reliable connectivity. \n\n### **🛰️ Our Solution**\n\nExosat fixes this problem by building thousands of satellites at a tenth of the usual cost.\n\nWe focus entirely on civil and commercial customers outside of the United States or China and fly our satellites in lower orbits versus incumbents like AST and Iridium, enabling us to take advantage of better link budgets, faster latency, and a milder radiation environment.\n\nThese factors let us use global manufacturing hubs or local partners to build our satellites using automotive-grade parts and **zero** ITAR/EAR-controlled supply chains, enabling us to seamlessly launch from other nations to bypass capacity bottlenecks and access equatorial orbits.\n\nAs a result, we can deploy a communications satellite with a 3-5 year lifespan for **\\~$300k instead of $5M** and in days instead of months, enabling us to manufacture and deploy a mega-constellation at near cost-parity to Starlink.\n\n**Our thesis is simple: we’re building a satellite at <10% of the cost to dominate 80% of the market instead of going after everyone.**\n\n### **👋 About Us**\n\nI’m a second-time space founder who previously built Aethero, a company developing satellite edge computers. We scaled to millions of dollars in revenue from defense primes like Blue Origin and Booz Allen Hamilton, won multiple SBIR awards, launched two satellites to orbit, and did radiation research on GPUs with the Aerospace Corporation and AFRL.\n\nI started Exosat and moved to Singapore because I think a future where SpaceX and China monopolize the space economy is a bleak one. I’m willing to go for broke, and put down the deposit for our first launch slot next year with my own money.\n\n### **📈 What have we done?**\n\nSince starting out this summer, we’ve:\n\n* **Booked our first launch** for next April, with early pilots underway to start initial commercial service for satellite IoT no later than the end of 2028.\n* **Added $400M+ in LOIs** from early customers across Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Central Asia to either lease future network capacity from our dedicated constellation or build and launch their own sovereign networks with our satellites.\n* **Published ITU filings to build an 11,000 satellite constellation** to build the biggest satellite network outside of the United States and China.\n\n![uploaded image](/media/?type=post&id=109889&key=user_uploads/689300/2420ddf1-1da9-4f74-b6ef-15dd51f24eb2)\n\n### **🙏 Our Ask**\n\nIf any of these describe you or your organization, we'd love to talk:\n\n* Network operators interested in space-based capacity\n* National space agencies interested in sovereign space capabilities\n* Industrial users in maritime, energy, mining, logistics, who rely on satellites for tasks such as AIS or remote connectivity\n* OEMs producing satellite-connected devices and gateways\n\n👉 Reach us at [info@exosat.com](mailto:info@exosat.com)\n\n**Fun fact:** We’re the first YC space company to be based in Asia.", "url": "https://www.ycombinator.com/launches/SaP-exosat-building-a-sovereign-starlink", "votes": 29, "created_at": "2026-08-10T20:30:00.246Z" } ] }, { "id": 33012, "name": "Cosmic Robotics", "slug": "cosmic-robotics", "former_names": [], "small_logo_thumb_url": "https://bookface-images.s3.amazonaws.com/small_logos/610b3f44c95c65ea346121a48c57b8c81a3788ce.png", "website": "https://www.cosmicrobotics.com/", "all_locations": "San Francisco, CA, USA", "long_description": "Our mission is to build a city on Mars. \r\n\r\nCosmic-1, the first equipment in our fleet, is an autonomous robot capable of heavy-lift manipulation. Its been deployed on some of the largest solar farms in the US, more than doubling labor productivity across tens of thousands of panel installs. \r\n\r\nWe're scaling in solar, expanding in data centers, and building lunar construction robotics under contract with NASA.", "one_liner": "Autonomous construction on Earth and beyond", "team_size": 8, "industry": "Industrials", "subindustry": "Industrials", "launched_at": 1783106253, "tags": [ "Hard Tech", "Robotics", "Construction", "Aerospace" ], "tags_highlighted": [], "top_company": false, "isHiring": false, "nonprofit": false, "batch": "Summer 2026", "status": "Active", "industries": [ "Industrials" ], "regions": [ "United States of America", "America / Canada" ], "stage": "Early", "app_video_public": false, "demo_day_video_public": false, "app_answers": null, "question_answers": null, "url": "https://www.ycombinator.com/companies/cosmic-robotics", "api": "https://devasheeshg.github.io/yc-api/batches/summer-2026/cosmic-robotics.json", "year_founded": 2024, "city": "San Francisco", "country": "US", "linkedin_url": "https://www.linkedin.com/company/cosmic-robotics/", "x_url": "https://x.com/cosmic_robotics", "fb_url": null, "cb_url": "https://www.crunchbase.com/organization/cosmic-robotics", "github_url": null, "logo_url": "https://bookface-images.s3.amazonaws.com/small_logos/610b3f44c95c65ea346121a48c57b8c81a3788ce.png", "app_video_url": null, "dday_video_url": null, "company_photos": [], "primary_partner": { "name": "Ankit Gupta", "url": "https://www.ycombinator.com/people/ankit-gupta" }, "founders": [ { "user_id": 522502, "full_name": "James Emerick", "title": "Founder/CEO", "founder_bio": "Co-founder, CEO at Cosmic Robotics (YC S26). Previously robotics engineer at Built Robotics deploying autonomous earthmoving robots in production, and research engineer at Autodesk Research building adaptive platforms for construction. MS/BS in Mechanical Engineering from UPenn.", "is_active": true, "linkedin_url": "https://linkedin.com/in/jamesemerick", "x_url": "https://x.com/JamesAEmerick", "avatar_thumb_url": "https://bookface-images.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/avatars/c3984e6d72a7fc6fad1faf754e9630152d5177fa.jpg" }, { "user_id": 403781, "full_name": "Lewis Jones", "title": "Founder/CTO", "founder_bio": "Co-founder, CTO at Cosmic Robotics (YC S26). Previously propulsion engineer at Relativity Space and prior experience at SpaceX, NASA JPL, and NASA JSC. Forbes 30 under 30. BS in Mechanical Engineering and Economics from Caltech.", "is_active": true, "linkedin_url": "https://linkedin.com/in/lewis-c-jones", "x_url": "https://x.com/thelcjones", "avatar_thumb_url": "https://bookface-images.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/avatars/e307c9f2c5673760099031abcf82a9d8ea9dbff9.jpg" } ], "jobs": [], "news": [ { "title": "Cosmic Robotics' robots could speed up solar panel deployments | TechCrunch", "url": "https://techcrunch.com/2025/04/16/cosmic-robotics-is-building-robots-to-speed-solar-power-deployments-for-data-centers/", "date": "Apr 16, 2025" } ], "launches": [ { "id": 106899, "title": "Cosmic Robotics: Autonomous construction on Earth and beyond", "tagline": "Robotic construction equipment to build a city on Mars. We’re proving the technology by building large-scale infrastructure on Earth — utility-scale solar farms and hyperscale data centers.", "body": "Hey everyone 👋\n\nWe’re [James](https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesemerick/) and [Lewis](https://www.linkedin.com/in/lewis-c-jones/) - co-founders of [Cosmic Robotics](https://www.cosmicrobotics.com). \n\n**TL;DR**\n\n**We build robotic construction equipment to build a city on Mars**. We’re proving the technology today by building large-scale infrastructure on Earth – utility-scale solar farms and hyperscale data centers. Our first machine, Cosmic-1, has already installed tens of thousands of solar panels in the field and more than doubled the productivity of traditional crews.\n\n \n\n**❌ The problem**\n\nAfter working at NASA JPL, SpaceX, and Relativity Space, we believe rockets are no longer the limiting factor to space exploration and that the first humans will land on Mars by 2034. **The new bottleneck is construction**. We won't be sending thousands of construction workers to Mars to build the energy, compute, and housing needed to sustain even a small city. **It has to be built by robots that don't exist yet**.\n\nOn Earth we have a similar problem - **we’ve lost the ability to build**. Construction productivity has declined for 50 years while manufacturing and agriculture became 10-15x more productive through automation. **The missing technology is robotic manipulation for the tasks still done by hand**: lifting, placing, fastening.\n\nMeanwhile, there is a generational infrastructure buildout happening right now. **$7 trillion** is going into AI data centers, power, and compute over the next six years, **more than the Apollo Program, Manhattan Project, and Interstate Highway System combined**. 40% of US data center projects are running behind schedule, and the skilled labor shortage is the #1 cause. \n\n**🤖 What we've built**\n\nCosmic-1 is a 10,000 lb autonomous robot capable of heavy-lift manipulation. In solar, it picks up 90 lb panels and places them onto racking with millimeter precision in any environment: 100-degree heat, freezing rain, snow, and dust. It seamlessly integrates into existing construction processes. Across tens of thousands of cycles it has more than doubled the labor productivity of solar installation, on some of the largest solar projects in the US.\n\n![uploaded image](/media/?type=post&id=106899&key=user_uploads/522502/bb5f86ec-a23b-4ffd-a173-87f36ce6fb1c)\n\n**👬 The Team**\n\nWe come at this problem from two angles. James (CEO) grew up on construction sites, then spent his career bringing robots to the field with Built Robotics and Autodesk Research. He learned you don't change the oldest industry in the world by disrupting it; you earn your way in by giving crews better tools.\n\nLewis' (CTO) life ambition is to build a city on Mars. His work at NASA, SpaceX, and Relativity Space spans rocket engines, launch vehicles, satellites, space stations, and, yes, Martian robots. When it became clear the space industry was well on its way to Mars, he went looking for the construction robots. When he didn't find them, we started Cosmic.\n\nWe’ve brought together a team of industry experts with experience building robots, rockets, drones, self-driving cars, humanoids, and nuclear reactor operations. We know what it takes to get a machine to show up day-in-day-out on the jobsite.\n\n![uploaded image](/media/?type=post&id=106899&key=user_uploads/522502/87f30a8e-6f83-490e-8bef-04225d1a525e)\n\n**🚀 What's next**\n\nWe're scaling in solar, taking Cosmic-1 into data center construction, and working with NASA on lunar construction robotics. Revenue and data from deployments on Earth train the systems we'll deploy on Mars.\n\n**🙏 Our asks**\n\n1. **Know a hyperscaler or neocloud construction team?** Please connect us.\n2. **Share this post** and [follow our journey](https://www.linkedin.com/company/cosmic-robotics/).\n\n👉 Contact us at [james@cosmicrobotics.com](mailto:james@cosmicrobotics.com) | [cosmicrobotics.com](http://cosmicrobotics.com)", "url": "https://www.ycombinator.com/launches/RoB-cosmic-robotics-autonomous-construction-on-earth-and-beyond", "votes": 28, "created_at": "2026-07-23T17:36:46.436Z" } ] }, { "id": 33111, "name": "Skymerse", "slug": "skymerse", "former_names": [], "small_logo_thumb_url": "https://bookface-images.s3.amazonaws.com/small_logos/dcac201e21fa70f9b3a8a1b827c8fd7759c25920.png", "website": "https://skymerse.com", "all_locations": "San Francisco, CA, USA", "long_description": "Skymerse is building one AI system for airline flight operations: from planning and monitoring in the operations center to real-time support in the cockpit. It is developing specialized aeronautical models that understand the data, constraints, and procedures behind each flight, replacing fragmented tools and manual interpretation. Notamify, its first product, already serves airline customers and thousands pilots and aviation professionals.", "one_liner": "Autopilot for Flight Operations", "team_size": null, "industry": "Industrials", "subindustry": "Industrials -> Aviation and Space", "launched_at": 1783640155, "tags": [ "Airlines", "Aerospace", "AI" ], "tags_highlighted": [], "top_company": false, "isHiring": false, "nonprofit": false, "batch": "Summer 2026", "status": "Active", "industries": [ "Industrials", "Aviation and Space" ], "regions": [ "United States of America", "America / Canada" ], "stage": "Early", "app_video_public": false, "demo_day_video_public": false, "app_answers": null, "question_answers": null, "url": "https://www.ycombinator.com/companies/skymerse", "api": "https://devasheeshg.github.io/yc-api/batches/summer-2026/skymerse.json", "year_founded": 2025, "city": "San Francisco", "country": "US", "linkedin_url": "https://www.linkedin.com/company/skymerse", "x_url": "http://x.com/skymerse", "fb_url": null, "cb_url": null, "github_url": null, "logo_url": "https://bookface-images.s3.amazonaws.com/small_logos/dcac201e21fa70f9b3a8a1b827c8fd7759c25920.png", "app_video_url": null, "dday_video_url": null, "company_photos": [], "primary_partner": { "name": "Gustaf Alstromer", "url": "https://www.ycombinator.com/people/gustaf-alstromer" }, "founders": [ { "user_id": 1472269, "full_name": "Damian Szumski", "title": "Founder/CEO", "founder_bio": "Founder at Skymerse (YC S26). Licensed Flight Dispatcher. Previously Product Owner at Flightradar24 API. Background in Aerospace and Flight Ops.", "is_active": true, "linkedin_url": "https://www.linkedin.com/in/damian-szumski/", "x_url": "https://x.com/zaxrev", "avatar_thumb_url": "https://bookface-images.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/avatars/720059d9d72b5293515142d82e45f90f7f3e7eb7.jpg" } ], "jobs": [], "news": [], "launches": [ { "id": 111421, "title": "Skymerse: Autopilot for Flight Operations", "tagline": "From planning and monitoring in the operations center to real-time support in the cockpit.", "body": "I’m Damian, founder of Skymerse (S26). I’m a licensed flight dispatcher and have spent 10 years working across flight operations, aviation data, and software.\n\nWe’re building one AI system to automate flight operations - from planning and monitoring in the operations center to real-time support in the cockpit.\n\nOur goal is full automation of the work behind every flight.\n\n\n\n## The problem\n\nAirlines have spent decades digitizing flight operations. The information moved from paper to screens. The work of understanding it did not. A flight exists across many systems. Each system may be good at its own job, but the complete operational picture exists between them.\n\nPilots and operations teams still have to build that picture themselves. They search, compare, and interpret information to plan, monitor, and adapt every flight from schedule to landing.\n\nWhen something changes, they do it again. When responsibility moves from the operations center to the crew, much of the context has to be passed on or rebuilt.\n\nToday, people are the integration layer.\n\n## What Skymerse does\n\nSkymerse builds a live operational model of every flight. When an airline’s schedule flows in, it assembles the operational context for each flight and keeps it current as conditions change.\n\nThat model is the foundation for automation. Skymerse does not stop at displaying information or sending an alert. It understands what a change means for the flight, updates the operation, and carries the required work forward automatically.\n\nSkymerse plans, monitors, and adapts flights from the operations center to the cockpit. Instead of rebuilding context across tools and handoffs, Skymerse manages each flight as one continuous process, from schedule to landing.\n\n## Why I started Skymerse\n\nSkymerse started with [Notamify.com](http://Notamify.com). I built Notamify because I was amazed by how much information pilots and ops teams have to process before every flight - and how much of that work was still done by hand.\n\n![uploaded image](/media/?type=post&id=111421&key=user_uploads/1472269/7e9fe835-e22f-4cb1-92dc-ac0f99a0cce2)\n\nNotamify interprets every single NOTAM into operational impact. It reduces the briefing time from 2 hours to 2 minutes per flight. It now serves airline customers and thousands of pilots and aviation professionals.\n\nAs we built it, the larger problem became clear. Making one source easier interpreted is valuable, but people still have to connect it with the rest of the operation. They still have to work out what it means for their flight and what to do next.\n\nSkymerse is that next step: from helping people understand one part of a flight to automating flight operations e2e.\n\n## Automate your flight operations\n\nWe are onboarding airlines that want to automate their flight operations. If you lead flight operations, dispatch, or an OCC, we want to show you Skymerse on your flights.\n\n[Book a demo](http://skymerse.com/demo) or email [hello@skymerse.com](mailto:hello@skymerse.com).", "url": "https://www.ycombinator.com/launches/Sz7-skymerse-autopilot-for-flight-operations", "votes": 30, "created_at": "2026-08-20T23:00:00.215Z" } ] }, { "id": 33312, "name": "Ethos Space Resources", "slug": "ethos-space-resources", "former_names": [], "small_logo_thumb_url": "https://bookface-images.s3.amazonaws.com/small_logos/26c677c7621160c55e8011d6851971173fe4f8e9.png", "website": "https://ethos-space.com", "all_locations": "Los Angeles, CA, USA", "long_description": "Ethos makes silicon on the Moon to power terawatt scale data centers. The Moon's surface is 21% silicon. We melt and electrolyze the lunar surface to make raw materials for solar panels. With solar panels made from the Moon, the constraint that limits data center scaling and everything else in space is gone.", "one_liner": "We make silicon on the Moon, to power everything in space.", "team_size": 2, "industry": "Industrials", "subindustry": "Industrials -> Aviation and Space", "launched_at": 1787528961, "tags": [ "Hard Tech", "Exascale Computing", "Energy", "Aerospace", "Industrial" ], "tags_highlighted": [], "top_company": false, "isHiring": false, "nonprofit": false, "batch": "Summer 2026", "status": "Active", "industries": [ "Industrials", "Aviation and Space" ], "regions": [ "United States of America", "America / Canada", "Remote", "Partly Remote" ], "stage": "Early", "app_video_public": true, "demo_day_video_public": false, "app_answers": null, "question_answers": null, "url": "https://www.ycombinator.com/companies/ethos-space-resources", "api": "https://devasheeshg.github.io/yc-api/batches/summer-2026/ethos-space-resources.json", "year_founded": 2022, "city": "Los Angeles", "country": "US", "linkedin_url": "https://www.linkedin.com/company/ethos-space/", "x_url": "https://x.com/ethosspace", "fb_url": null, "cb_url": null, "github_url": null, "logo_url": "https://bookface-images.s3.amazonaws.com/small_logos/26c677c7621160c55e8011d6851971173fe4f8e9.png", "app_video_url": "https://bookface-images.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/bf-public_profile/33370/app_video.mp4?X-Amz-Algorithm=AWS4-HMAC-SHA256&X-Amz-Credential=ASIAQC4NIECAOTKCHR7A%2F20261020%2Fus-west-2%2Fs3%2Faws4_request&X-Amz-Date=20261020T022740Z&X-Amz-Expires=60&X-Amz-Security-Token=IQoJb3JpZ2luX2VjEHEaCXVzLXdlc3QtMiJHMEUCIQDeV7cQCYWa%2ByyakJaw7aH8e0HNWEyd2tO1Fn9KHjIpkgIgJPUveNomWrSf4Oq5DPuVDY7LKeaNJPvi5F2sbSx87Hoq5QMIOhAAGgwwMDYyMDE4MTEwNzIiDJ7%2FkqUU8p5mIeDC5CrCA7F4UggTYlVYiff4mYkoYiIpXa9r%2FKkUhcKwMNwtYpcuNTEBtH5xi9Hzkl3B%2FOYmUn%2FIacrdemsB9KrtOuRo%2FccaY%2Bs%2FSuIzime%2BcYuI7%2B%2Fg2nldjcm7YPCf32sIR8EflXc2916%2FDRMbztsRKDiQDL1ZKbK6YPHJppiQyVyRrrcCFD0X7tEf0D7QgK2DIpKnu8zGLzN4oAHn6xfHIgQnynrupcJbc9cga5AURtsRl7TfSM6XaGTtp1fNogyhUKX9f%2FYIL2pg03nlhLpRpDuqHpJ9qbbVsf%2FvboDHQ4IRRkiCaWH6GZwuTm%2FaXzTPIrAlVKH5%2F0RNaaExh%2Byw4VhHEEsSkHSs4mw%2BmNAKnW2FnWuldPRw5kn3j05dqhv5fkQxdp74JTYQe5wex1YN5PCok147bSKEuieYlIgH%2FiP9NY3Ym0ZRUWuo0zL40XWv9X3L1tLg%2BYWY0fCdhDKHGgTuesmbVajzEhu%2Bg9iWLptoK63cZ4UfO8oOd6sOc09XF6lBy%2BmD%2BSVmOfDWUOzz5ELD16slDTUwml0MZsttBoLDzldUc0olkl5nCAl23UqraiUXeaeW3yLOvJn%2BAD%2B%2FM6PvmZF0VzDn%2FdrWBjqlAVRsuTd0UsfPEqyKlBgBcSJTbWkHvSj10wzTCIqvOoZ3bz1TWza43iHLTCs7u%2FHmvoKE0qG5FTOsMYhLZb5XFdRretuo%2F1BjdoZt%2Fr0dHWGT4LLkmfYrkFclUq7u0pvMr6%2FR4I41ZYdCD3cWpGAcOrCQxKJukkkU%2Fx4O0IOnvZKvXzK4OISHe4XPgWQrnAJcSBOFX%2BXRwhpFbVXOOC%2BtEw%2BR3JTElw%3D%3D&X-Amz-SignedHeaders=host&X-Amz-Signature=60b56f24c8f17b5459a5b8412a9a835e1539c0cf6f5658b9bcb033320edc6ca0", "dday_video_url": null, "company_photos": [ "https://bookface-images.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/attachments/252852e7026776dd179fcebea3781488d68578fc.png" ], "primary_partner": { "name": "Tyler Bosmeny", "url": "https://www.ycombinator.com/people/tyler-bosmeny" }, "founders": [ { "user_id": 143296, "full_name": "Ross Centers", "title": "Founder/CEO", "founder_bio": "Lunar resource geologist. Founder of Planetary Sunshade Institute. Kardashev scaling since 2015.", "is_active": true, "linkedin_url": "https://www.linkedin.com/in/centers/", "x_url": "https://x.com/rosscenters", "avatar_thumb_url": "https://bookface-images.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/avatars/a7da888d8bb4879eb5ed964886a037aa38c0859a.jpg" }, { "user_id": 3684585, "full_name": "Brogan BamBrogan", "title": "Founder/CTO", "founder_bio": "Employee #23 at SpaceX. Designed and built the 2nd stage engine for Falcon 1 as well as many elements of the Dragon spacecraft, including the primary heat shield, Draco thrusters, and more. Later co-founder & CTO at Hyperloop One and co-founder & CEO at Arrivo. Earlier engineering roles at Northrop Grumman and Chrysler Motors.", "is_active": true, "linkedin_url": "https://www.linkedin.com/in/brogan-bambrogan/", "x_url": "https://x.com/BamBrogan", "avatar_thumb_url": "https://bookface-images.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/avatars/589e273af2b0a3ff1590082a9389e7e3a73ecb05.jpg" } ], "jobs": [], "news": [], "launches": [ { "id": 112089, "title": "Ethos Space Resources", "tagline": "Silicon on the Moon for Terawatts in Space", "body": "**TL;DR**\n\n**Team**\n\nBrogan was employee #23 at SpaceX. He built the first Falcon and Dragon. Previously, he founded Hyperloop and Arrivo.\n\nRoss is a lunar geologist from the Colorado School of Mines. He previously founded the Planetary Sunshade Institute.\n\n**Problem**\n\nThere is infinite power in space. But rockets can’t carry enough solar panels. Rockets are the constraint.\n\n\n\n**Solution**\n\nPower in space must be made in space. Self replicating power and mass relieves the rocket constraint.\n\nThe Moon is made of Silicon (and other useful atoms). Silicon makes solar panels (and compute). Solar panels make energy, to refine more silicon and power more compute.\n\n\n\n**Traction**\n\n* Completed NASA contract\n* $1B LOIs from multiple customers\n* Going to the Moon in 2028\n\n**Why now**\n\nCapital needs from Earth will diminish as self-replicating power and mass grows on the Moon. Moving up the Kardashev scale will be a matter of wattage and tonnage, not dollars. If you’re not early to self-replication, you’re too late.", "url": "https://www.ycombinator.com/launches/T9t-ethos-space-resources", "votes": 17, "created_at": "2026-08-25T15:00:00.072Z" } ] }, { "id": 33319, "name": "Vernius Systems, Inc.", "slug": "vernius-systems-inc", "former_names": [], "small_logo_thumb_url": "https://bookface-images.s3.amazonaws.com/small_logos/b6b4e6b2f945df4b3400a22fc1d287a788bc4215.png", "website": "https://www.vernius.systems", "all_locations": "San Francisco, CA, USA", "long_description": "We make mass-deployable radars for unmanned systems. Our first product is Archimedes, a radar seeker that finds and locks onto targets, enabling autonomous intercept on any drone. We have over $580M in LOIs for Archimedes, across some of the largest defense primes in Ukraine, the EU, and the Middle East.\r\n\r\nSeekers are the most critical and costly component in every autonomous interceptor. Developing a radar seeker takes a 200+ person team at Raytheon and hundreds of millions of dollars. Archimedes is 100x cheaper than existing radar seekers on the market - and is the first product to make it feasible to deploy radars on every drone.", "one_liner": "Mass-deployable radars for air defense", "team_size": 3, "industry": "Industrials", "subindustry": "Industrials -> Defense", "launched_at": 1786812946, "tags": [ "Hard Tech", "Drones", "Radar", "Aerospace", "Defense" ], "tags_highlighted": [], "top_company": false, "isHiring": true, "nonprofit": false, "batch": "Summer 2026", "status": "Active", "industries": [ "Industrials", "Defense" ], "regions": [ "United States of America", "America / Canada", "Remote", "Partly Remote" ], "stage": "Early", "app_video_public": false, "demo_day_video_public": false, "app_answers": null, "question_answers": null, "url": "https://www.ycombinator.com/companies/vernius-systems-inc", "api": "https://devasheeshg.github.io/yc-api/batches/summer-2026/vernius-systems-inc.json", "year_founded": 2026, "city": "San Francisco", "country": "US", "linkedin_url": "https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:ugcPost:7497551262893383680/", "x_url": "https://x.com/Arthur_NC_/status/2091903458748375240", "fb_url": null, "cb_url": null, "github_url": null, "logo_url": "https://bookface-images.s3.amazonaws.com/small_logos/b6b4e6b2f945df4b3400a22fc1d287a788bc4215.png", "app_video_url": null, "dday_video_url": null, "company_photos": [], "primary_partner": { "name": "Brad Flora", "url": "https://www.ycombinator.com/people/brad-flora" }, "founders": [ { "user_id": 366617, "full_name": "Arthur Nguyen-cao", "title": "Founder/CEO", "founder_bio": "Founder & CEO of Vernius Systems. 6+ years RF PCB engineering.\n\nLead 14 engineers at Defense Tech for Ukraine to develop FPV drone systems now fielded by Ukrainian units. Co-founded Auctify (raised $250K, featured in The Verge), where we built the world's first AI smart glasses. Developed the $2.6B USAF B-52 Commercial Engine Replacement Program proposal at Pratt & Whitney. Hobbies include computational fluid dynamics, rocketry, and civil aviation.", "is_active": true, "linkedin_url": "https://www.linkedin.com/in/arthur-nguyen-cao-690847146/", "x_url": "https://x.com/Arthur_NC_", "avatar_thumb_url": "https://bookface-images.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/avatars/4373c5af412b516a25bd9d3afc5678c56a348e2e.jpg" }, { "user_id": 372571, "full_name": "Hisham El-Halabi", "title": "Founder/CTO", "founder_bio": "Founder at Vernius Systems. Previously founding engineer at Suave Money (HF0, Orange DAO-backed), building a non-custodial P2P fiat-to-crypto marketplace used by hundreds of thousands and adopted by YC startups Shor and Kontigo. Co-founder/CTO at Auctify, raising $77K in presales and pivoting to Sano AI calorie tracker (30K users, $2.5K MRR, $250K raised). BEng Engineering Science, University of Toronto.", "is_active": true, "linkedin_url": "https://www.linkedin.com/in/hisham-el-halabi-001/", "x_url": "", "avatar_thumb_url": "https://bookface-images.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/avatars/cd887780cb538a001e6e2bb72deb018117b59f82.jpg" }, { "user_id": 409168, "full_name": "Joe Gonzalez", "title": "Founder/COO", "founder_bio": "CoFounder at Vernius Systems. Serial founder: built Plucky Labs (backend-as-a-service for AI chat), XP Protocol (scaled to 200K+ users, 50K+ MAU), and Huddln (venture-backed Web3 startup). Previously Solutions Architect at Sandia National Labs under Q clearance, architecting secure comms for US Navy Tomahawk fleet. BS Computer Engineering, Sacramento State.", "is_active": true, "linkedin_url": "https://www.linkedin.com/in/jge-2a7937115/", "x_url": "https://x.com/joegonzalez0886?s=11", "avatar_thumb_url": "https://bookface-images.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/avatars/677db7a1244f2604393fb1cc01f838806ea6304f.jpg" } ], "jobs": [ { "id": 111262, "title": "Radar PCB Engineer", "url": "https://www.ycombinator.com/companies/vernius-systems-inc/jobs/g2rbXLu-radar-pcb-engineer", "location": "San Francisco, CA, US / San Jose, CA, US", "type": "Full-time", "role": "Engineering", "role_type": "Electrical", "salary_range": "$150K - $350K", "equity_range": "1.00% - 3.00%", "experience": "Any (new grads ok)", "visa": "US citizen/visa only", "skills": [ "PCB design", "Altium" ] } ], "news": [], "launches": [ { "id": 111298, "title": "Vernius Systems - Autonomous radar guidance for interceptor drones", "tagline": "Radar for interceptor drones", "body": "[**Vernius Systems**](https://www.linkedin.com/company/vernius-systems-inc/posts/?feedView=all)\n\n**TL:DR;** Vernius builds radar seekers that turn any drone into a fully autonomous interceptor. We build and test on the frontlines with operators, under real conditions. Because of this, we’ve secured **$500M** in LOIs for 2027 from top defense manufacturers and elite military units across the US, EU, and Ukraine.\\\n\\\n[https://drive.google.com/file/d/191oElqMvXaizOijw1ZN2aTY3ckYOGfVC](https://drive.google.com/file/d/191oElqMvXaizOijw1ZN2aTY3ckYOGfVC/view?usp=sharing)\n\n**Backed By:**\n\nOur early investors include the **former U.S. National Security Advisor** (LTG HR McMaster), the **Chief Engineer behind VBAT, Shield AI’s flagship product** (Austin Howard), and **world renowned Ukrainian Military analyst** (Rob Lee).\n\n**Problem:** \n\n99% of interceptors on the battlefield still require a pilot for manual guidance. Jet powered attack drones deployed by our adversaries have become too fast to intercept manually, and now account for over **50% of all attack drones**. Autonomous solutions, like the Patriot class missiles, cost $4M per shot.\n\n**Solution:**\n\nWe build a radar that turns any drone into a fully autonomous interceptor, reducing the cost per kill from **$4M to less than $4K**.\n\n**About us:** \n\nWe bring over a decade of RF PCB engineering experience. We've built critical software for the US Navy Tomahawk missile fleet, satellites in low Earth orbit, and FPV hardware fielded by frontline operators.\n\n![uploaded image](/media/?type=post&id=111298&key=user_uploads/409168/e627de41-d230-4320-80bb-90173e045879)\n\n**Left to right:** [Hisham El-Halabi](https://www.linkedin.com/in/hisham-el-halabi-001/), [Joe Gonzalez](https://www.linkedin.com/in/jge-2a7937115/), [Arthur Nguyen-cao](https://www.linkedin.com/in/arthur-nguyen-cao-690847146/)\n\n**Ask:**\n\nIf you’re developing interceptors (or you know someone developing them), we would love to chat.", "url": "https://www.ycombinator.com/launches/Sx8-vernius-systems-autonomous-radar-guidance-for-interceptor-drones", "votes": 10, "created_at": "2026-08-24T15:00:00.720Z" } ] }, { "id": 34904, "name": "Viraj Aero", "slug": "viraj-aero", "former_names": [], "small_logo_thumb_url": "https://bookface-images.s3.amazonaws.com/small_logos/d151d30449f8a414c0594312df47a98193fd069b.png", "website": "https://www.viraj-aero.com/", "all_locations": "", "long_description": "Viraj Aero builds gas turbines that deliver both power and cooling water for data centers. 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The team comes from GE, Rolls-Royce and Formula 1, and we're already working with Safran, one of the world's largest aircraft engine manufacturers.", "one_liner": "Next generation gas turbines for data centers & aviation", "team_size": null, "industry": "Industrials", "subindustry": "Industrials -> Energy", "launched_at": 1789861657, "tags": [ "Hard Tech", "Energy", "Aerospace", "AI" ], "tags_highlighted": [], "top_company": false, "isHiring": false, "nonprofit": false, "batch": "Fall 2026", "status": "Active", "industries": [ "Industrials", "Energy" ], "regions": [ "Unspecified" ], "stage": "Early", "app_video_public": false, "demo_day_video_public": false, "app_answers": null, "question_answers": null, "url": "https://www.ycombinator.com/companies/viraj-aero", "api": "https://devasheeshg.github.io/yc-api/batches/fall-2026/viraj-aero.json", "year_founded": null, "city": null, "country": null, "linkedin_url": "https://www.linkedin.com/company/100603558", "x_url": "", "fb_url": null, "cb_url": null, "github_url": null, "logo_url": "https://bookface-images.s3.amazonaws.com/small_logos/d151d30449f8a414c0594312df47a98193fd069b.png", "app_video_url": null, "dday_video_url": null, "company_photos": [], "primary_partner": { "name": "Kulveer Taggar", "url": null }, "founders": [ { "user_id": 2942294, "full_name": "Joseph Risson", "title": "Founder/CEO", "founder_bio": "Co-founder & CEO of Viraj Aero, building next-generation gas turbines for data centers and aviation. Aerospace engineer from ISAE-SUPAERO, where I majored in turbomachinery and fluid dynamics. Before Viraj, I worked on hybrid-electric propulsion at Ascendance Flight Technologies, hydrogen propulsion at Beyond Aero (YC W22). Glider pilot.", "is_active": true, "linkedin_url": "https://www.linkedin.com/in/joseph-risson/", "x_url": "", "avatar_thumb_url": "https://bookface-images.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/avatars/528aeb1bb347ef66ae4b8f3a96dff0cbe5adfafb.jpg" }, { "user_id": 2942250, "full_name": "Mathilde Bouilloux", "title": "Founder/-", "founder_bio": "Co-Founder at Viraj Aero.\nEngineer from École des Ponts ParisTech (Institut Polytechnique de Paris). Previously led the development of 6 large-scale power projects totaling 120+ MW (solar, electric and hydrogen) at VINCI Concessions and Neoen, and structured infrastructure and energy investments as an Investment Analyst at Banque des Territoires (French state bank).", "is_active": true, "linkedin_url": "https://www.linkedin.com/in/mathilde-bouilloux/", "x_url": "", "avatar_thumb_url": "https://bookface-images.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/avatars/fb412b64e24d99aac836eb58fe0b575fee5130e1.jpg" } ], "jobs": [], "news": [], "launches": [] }, { "id": 35093, "name": "Aviern", "slug": "aviern", "former_names": [], "small_logo_thumb_url": "https://bookface-images.s3.amazonaws.com/small_logos/906b7c01faee6d9632f1f941bfe737812ec7d0b9.png", "website": "https://aviern.com/", "all_locations": "Los Angeles, CA, USA", "long_description": "Aviern makes unmanned cargo airplanes for commercial operations and defense logistics. In 2 months we built our own scaled aircraft that taxis, takes off, flies and lands fully autonomously and are working on a larger 50lb aircraft.", "one_liner": "Unmanned cargo airplanes", "team_size": 4, "industry": "Industrials", "subindustry": "Industrials -> Drones", "launched_at": 1789408162, "tags": [ "Airplanes", "Logistics", "Aerospace", "Infrastructure" ], "tags_highlighted": [], "top_company": false, "isHiring": false, "nonprofit": false, "batch": "Fall 2026", "status": "Active", "industries": [ "Industrials", "Drones" ], "regions": [ "United States of America", "America / Canada", "Remote", "Partly Remote" ], "stage": "Early", "app_video_public": false, "demo_day_video_public": false, "app_answers": null, "question_answers": null, "url": "https://www.ycombinator.com/companies/aviern", "api": "https://devasheeshg.github.io/yc-api/batches/fall-2026/aviern.json", "year_founded": 2026, "city": "Los Angeles", "country": "US", "linkedin_url": "https://www.linkedin.com/company/aviernai", "x_url": "", "fb_url": null, "cb_url": null, "github_url": null, "logo_url": "https://bookface-images.s3.amazonaws.com/small_logos/906b7c01faee6d9632f1f941bfe737812ec7d0b9.png", "app_video_url": null, "dday_video_url": null, "company_photos": [ "https://bookface-images.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/attachments/9a63611f3bab7d2fcac4c74ed8e47b6fc198858a.png" ], "primary_partner": { "name": "Aaron Epstein", "url": "https://www.ycombinator.com/people/aaron-epstein" }, "founders": [ { "user_id": 3391574, "full_name": "Kush Agarwal", "title": "Founder/CEO", "founder_bio": "Founder at Aviern (YC F26). 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Been creating YouTube videos for several years of home-built engineering projects", "is_active": true, "linkedin_url": "https://www.linkedin.com/in/arvin-singh-b0b1a7240?utm_source=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=member_ios", "x_url": "", "avatar_thumb_url": "https://bookface-images.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/avatars/e770b75324a5fa22497bcdd673b3370a191b7b42.jpg" } ], "jobs": [], "news": [], "launches": [] }, { "id": 38589, "name": "Keres", "slug": "keres", "former_names": [], "small_logo_thumb_url": "https://bookface-images.s3.amazonaws.com/small_logos/d410d4ceb3965f8c5b5e653e10007865ff03aaf9.png", "website": "https://www.keresaero.com/", "all_locations": "Denver, CO, USA", "long_description": "Keres (KAIR-eez) builds reusable unmanned jet interceptors for air defense. The Garmur launches on cue, closes at jet speed, positively identifies and kills drones and cruise missiles, then lands to fly again. It gives commanders a fighter-class response at a fraction of the cost.", "one_liner": "Kill the drone, keep the jet. Reusable unmanned interceptors.", "team_size": 3, "industry": "Industrials", "subindustry": "Industrials -> Defense", "launched_at": 1791171647, "tags": [ "Airplanes", "Aerospace", "Defense" ], "tags_highlighted": [], "top_company": false, "isHiring": false, "nonprofit": false, "batch": "Fall 2026", "status": "Active", "industries": [ "Industrials", "Defense" ], "regions": [ "United States of America", "America / Canada" ], "stage": "Early", "app_video_public": false, "demo_day_video_public": false, "app_answers": null, "question_answers": null, "url": "https://www.ycombinator.com/companies/keres", "api": "https://devasheeshg.github.io/yc-api/batches/fall-2026/keres.json", "year_founded": 2026, "city": "Denver", "country": "US", "linkedin_url": "", "x_url": "", "fb_url": null, "cb_url": null, "github_url": null, "logo_url": "https://bookface-images.s3.amazonaws.com/small_logos/d410d4ceb3965f8c5b5e653e10007865ff03aaf9.png", "app_video_url": null, "dday_video_url": null, "company_photos": [], "primary_partner": { "name": "Pete Koomen", "url": "https://www.ycombinator.com/people/pete-koomen" }, "founders": [ { "user_id": 4191532, "full_name": "Christopher Palazzolo", "title": "Founder/CTO", "founder_bio": "Co-founder/CTO at Keres (YC F26). Previously Head of Operations at H3X Technologies. Spent 4+ years at Boom Supersonic, rising from Aircraft Technician to Director of Aircraft and Production Operations for the XB-1 supersonic demonstrator. Led avionics, flight test, and manufacturing. BS in Mechanical Engineering from Oakland University.", "is_active": true, "linkedin_url": "https://www.linkedin.com/in/cjpalazzolo/", "x_url": "", "avatar_thumb_url": "https://bookface-images.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/avatars/eaec462025ae167d9bbb41d77ac9fac1a28f97be.jpg" } ], "jobs": [], "news": [], "launches": [] } ]