Startup Nominal Raises $27 Million to Aid Defense Tech Boom

Apr 22, 2024 thejournalbiz

The startup, Nominal, has raised more than $27 million from some of Silicon Valley’s top firms while operating in stealth for two years. The existence of Nominal, its investors, and customers, hasn’t been previously reported.

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Defense startup on the rise as the DIU’s annual budget will jump to more than $900 million this year, from $191 million in 2023, via Bloomberg#startups #defense #innovation pic.twitter.com/6Ht3fE2Qns

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The company is developing software for the growing class of tech startups building drones, satellites, nuclear reactors and other advanced hardware. Its customers include portable nuclear micro-reactor company Radiant Industries Inc., satellite startup Muon Space Inc. and space manufacturing company Varda Space Industries Inc.

“The tools to build spacecraft are the same as they were 50 years ago,” said Founders Fund Partner Delian Asparouhov, who is also a co-founder of Varda. Varda has been using Nominal’s software for its work manufacturing pharmaceuticals in micro-gravity. “I love what they’re working on,” Asparouhov said. “There’s a dearth of software for hardware engineers.”