Latest news with #JoshuaWestern
TechCrunch
31-05-2025
- Business
- TechCrunch
Space Forge raises $30M Series A to make chip materials in space
From AI to EVs, demand for semiconductors is exploding, but silicon is hitting its limits. Making more efficient chips requires new materials, ones far less ubiquitous than sand, but the solution might be out there — literally. Space Forge, a U.K. startup headquartered in Cardiff, Wales, recently raised a £22.6 million (approximately $30 million) Series A to make wafer materials in space, where unique conditions unlock new possibilities. For instance, the Welsh startup earlier won funding for a project through which BT (formerly British Telecom) is hoping to test how integrating crystal materials grown in space could reduce the power consumption of its 5G towers. Because of weightlessness and other properties, crystals made in space have fewer defects, which can help devices use less energy. Real-world use cases like this help Space Forge convey the message that critical systems could use its technology as an invisible backbone. The whole idea of making chips in orbit may sound like science fiction, but its feasibility has been known since the 1970s, CEO Joshua Western told TechCrunch. 'We're stood on the shoulders of about 50 years of research when it comes to not only knowing that this is possible, but also knowing that there is a profound improvement in doing so,' Western said. The improvement in question is obtaining crystals and advanced semiconductor materials with fewer defects and enhanced performance, making them appealing for use in applications such as quantum computing and defense systems. This dual-use potential explains why NATO Innovation Fund led Space Forge's Series A, and why major U.S. defense contractor Northrop Grumman is one of its partners. Techcrunch event Save now through June 4 for TechCrunch Sessions: AI Save $300 on your ticket to TC Sessions: AI—and get 50% off a second. Hear from leaders at OpenAI, Anthropic, Khosla Ventures, and more during a full day of expert insights, hands-on workshops, and high-impact networking. These low-rate deals disappear when the doors open on June 5. Exhibit at TechCrunch Sessions: AI Secure your spot at TC Sessions: AI and show 1,200+ decision-makers what you've built — without the big spend. Available through May 9 or while tables last. Berkeley, CA | REGISTER NOW Partners will be key to Space Forge's trajectory: The company won't build rockets and is instead relying on existing space providers for the launch part — a 'solved problem,' in Western's words. It's not just the rockets; from chip manufacturing to space return, Space Forge is tying together technologies that may be described as solved problems, at least on paper. But if you ask Western about its moat, he has a quick retort: 'How bloody hard is it to do?!' That's the price to pay to take advantage of space's unique environment: It requires adapting to harsh conditions such as extreme temperatures and microgravity, Western said. 'Physics has the answers, and engineering is how you actually get there.' 'Mary Poppins from space' Engineering is also needed to bridge the gap between innovation and commercially viable technology. Rather than capsules like Apollo's, Space Forge returns its materials to Earth as 'Mary Poppins from space.' Western explained the nickname: 'We deploy something that looks very much like an umbrella, [but] that's space grade, and that allows us to float back from space down to the ground.' Image Credits:Space Forge Developing new return technology is a key focus of Space Forge. Besides its heat shield, Pridwen, a nod to the legend of King Arthur, the startup also developed Fielder, a floating net to catch returning satellites and ensure a soft landing on water. These efforts were supported by the U.K. Space Agency and European Space Agency, of which the U.K. is still a member despite Brexit. Establishing a return infrastructure across Europe is one of Space Forge's ambitions — and it is underway. This week, the company opened an office in Portugal on the island of Santa Maria in the Azores, a well-suited location for satellite return in mainland Europe and an important step to convince European partners that this approach can reach industrial scale. The increasing commoditization of both return and launch technologies is what made the rise of in-space manufacturing startups possible in the first place, with applications also including drug discovery and telecom hardware. But their viability is still very dependent on costs coming down, or in finding clients willing to pay that premium. Shifting geopolitics could help Space Forge secure more of these clients. Western and his co-founder and CTO Andrew Bacon previously worked at Thales Alenia Space, a joint venture between Thales and its Italian peer Leonardo. But the trend is broader than just defense, as concerns mount across Europe over reliance on semiconductors from Taiwan. 'We urgently need a resilient, homegrown supply of the next-gen supermaterials required for the future of compute. We also need this homegrown chip supply to be produced sustainably,' World Fund general partner Daria Saharova wrote in a statement. The climate tech VC firm, which co-led Space Forge's seed round and participated in its Series A, is buying into Space Forge's positioning as a 'carbon negative technology' that could fight climate change. However, the emissions savings have yet to be proven at scale and rely on commercial adoption to truly offset each mission. Space Forge, though, still has to complete its first mission. Its first attempt ended after a grand total of six and a half minutes when Virgin Orbit's rocket suffered an anomaly in its launch of Cornwall in 2023, losing its entire payload, including Space Forge's ForgeStar-0 satellite. With its new funding, the company is now accelerating the development of its latest spacecraft and readying for the launch of its ForgeStar-1 demonstrator later this year, together with Pridwen. And in a nod to the galaxy far, far away, Space Forge announced the mission's official name — 'The Forge Awakens' — on May 4. Anna Heim met and interviewed Joshua Western and Daria Saharova at a World Fund event that the VC firm covered her travel costs to attend; this article was written independently.
Wales Online
14-05-2025
- Business
- Wales Online
Welsh in-space advanced manufacturing start-up Space Forge in huge funding boost
Welsh in-space advanced manufacturing start-up Space Forge in huge funding boost In one of the biggest funding rounds for a Welsh start-up firm Space Forge has secured £22.6m from a global consortium of investors. Space Forge. Cardiff-based Space Forge, which is pioneering advanced material in space manufacturing such as compound semiconductors via its returnable satellite technology, has a secured £22.6m investment to support its commercialisation plans. In the biggest ever Series A fundraising round in the UK space tech sector, and one of the biggest for a Welsh start-up, Space Forge has been backed by a strategic global consortium led by the NATO Innovation Fund, with significant support from the World Fund, the National Security Strategic Investment Fund (NSSIF) and £2m from British Business Bank through its regional angels programme. The round has also been supported by the Cardiff Capital Region's £50m Innovation Investment Capital fund. The latest equity investment deals in Welsh business READ MORE: Cardiff to benefit from thousands of civil service jobs relocating from London READ MORE: By harnessing the unique conditions of space-including microgravity, vacuum, and extreme temperature differentials-Space Forge, which employs 70 in Cardiff at Eastgate Business Park and also has a presence in Florida, is unlocking the ability to manufacture materials that are impossible to produce on earth. These advancements have wide-reaching applications in compound semiconductors, quantum computing, clean energy, and defence technologies. Research suggests space-made materials could cut CO₂ emissions by 75% and energy use by 60% in key infrastructure, offering a powerful tool for strengthening climate resilience. Article continues below The latest investment will accelerate the development of the firm's ForgeStar-2 next-generation returnable manufacturing satellite while also supporting its first in-orbit demonstration mission, ForgeStar-1, set to launch later this year in Florida. Together, these missions will demonstrate a scalable, reusable platform for manufacturing high-performance materials in space-delivering breakthroughs for security, clean energy and infrastructure. The technology offers a promising pathway to strengthen supply chains for semiconductor production, reducing dependence on vulnerable earth-based manufacturing systems. Joshua Western, chief executive and co-founder, Space Forge, said: 'This funding marks a significant milestone-not just for Space Forge, but for the entire space economy. With the backing of our investors, we're accelerating our mission to make space a practical and accessible platform for industrial-scale manufacturing. "Our upcoming launches will prove that the future of materials innovation lies beyond earth, helping us build a more secure, sustainable, and technologically advanced world.' The value of the equity investment by the Cardiff Capital Region in supporting the round has not been disclosed. Its investment is the fourth from the fund which is managed by Capricorn Fund Managers with PwC providing on investment research and sourcing. Leader of Cardiff Council and vice chair of the Cardiff Capital Region - a statutory body covering the 10 local authorities of south-east Wales - Huw Thomas, said: 'CCR is proud to help fund Space Forge's next steps in on-earth and in-orbit advanced manufacturing. "Their trailblazing approach in the space industry is gaining interest and investment in a highly competitive tech sector and it's very encouraging to see a local pioneering company on a global stage.' Dr Paul Bate, chief executive of the UK Space Agency, said: 'This landmark investment in Space Forge is a powerful vote of confidence in the UK's growing space economy and its global leadership in space-enabled innovation. Based in Cardiff Space Forge exemplifies how cutting-edge space technology is thriving across all corners of the UK. "By transforming the way we manufacture high-performance materials, Space Forge is not only pushing the boundaries of what's possible in orbit, but will also deliver real-world benefits on earth — from cleaner energy to more secure supply chains. We're proud to support pioneering companies like Space Forge as they grow and help secure the UK's position at the forefront of the space and semiconductor sectors.' The calibre of investors backing this round reflects Space Forge's growing importance in advancing secure, sustainable technologies - across defence, aerospace, and clean tech sectors globally. Chris O'Connor, partner, NATO Innovation Fund, said: 'We are excited to be supporting Space Forge – a company that is innovating material manufacturing, while also advancing Europe's access to space, supply chain independence and long-term resiliency. We look forward to working with the Space Forge team to leverage their technological breakthroughs in order to secure the future of NATO nations.' Daria Saharova, general partner at World Fund, said 'Demand for computing power is doubling every two months. Europe imports 80% of its chip supply, with 90% of the world's most-advanced semiconductors coming from Taiwan. A geopolitical escalation there could have catastrophic consequences for Europe. We urgently need a resilient, homegrown supply of the next-generation supermaterials required for the future of compute. We also need this homegrown chip supply to be produced sustainably. Industry Minister Sarah Jones said: 'This is great news for the UK's space industry, and a vote of confidence in the cutting-edge advanced manufacturing technology Space Forge is pioneering in Wales. "Our modern industrial strategy will drive growth in these sectors even further, giving businesses the confidence they need to commit to investing in the UK and ensuring we remain a partner of choice for space agencies around the world.' Mark Barry, senior investment director at British Business Bank, said: 'We are delighted to make this first investment under the new co-investment strategy as part of the regional angels programme. The investment into Space Forge aligns with our overall programme goal to strengthen the UK's regional economy by supporting high-growth businesses, and to leverage the commercial potential from our existing portfolio. We first backed Space Forge through a partner back in 2021 and under Josh's leadership, the company is delivering on its mission to be the in-space manufacturer of choice.' Article continues below The round has also been supported by Gaingels, SpaceVC, Unruly, with additional contributions from Helium Three, Stellar and TypeOne, and London Technology Club.
Axios
14-05-2025
- Business
- Axios
Exclusive: Space Forge raises $30M for chips in space
Space Forge raised $30 million in Series A funding to develop ultra-efficient semiconductors and other advanced materials in orbit, the startup's CEO tells Axios. Why it matters: The U.K. startup contends it can make energy-saving materials that are impossible to develop within Earth's atmosphere. Driving the news: The NATO Innovation Fund led the round, with partner Chris O'Connor joining Space Forge's board. World Fund, the National Security Strategic Investment Fund and British Business Bank also participated in the raise, which closed in December. How it works: Space Forge aims to develop seed crystals in space, enabling production of larger high-purity wafers of the material back on earth. The company is first focusing on semiconductors, and keeping an eye toward low-carbon energy, quantum computing, and defense. It plans to generate revenue from the seed crystals, and by selling slots in its launch vessels to other companies and organizations. What they're saying:"Our space-manufactured semiconductors and supermaterials are designed to dramatically outperform what's possible with traditional Earth-based production," CEO Joshua Western tells Axios. Between the lines: The company contends that such materials can deliver achieve emissions reductions even when accounting for the air pollution generated by rocket launches. Flashback: Space Forge in 2021 raised a $10.2 million seed round led by World Fund, Type One Ventures and Space Fund. What's next: Space Forge expects to launch its first vessel, ForgeStar-1, with an undisclosed U.S. launch provider this year.
Associated Press
23-04-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
The New Industrial Frontier: On-Orbit Manufacturing And One Company's Role In Making It A Reality
By JE Insights, Benzinga DETROIT, MICHIGAN - April 23, 2025 ( NEWMEDIAWIRE ) - No matter the origin of operations, the theoretical capacity of manufacturing endeavors will always be limited by on-ground considerations, such as labor availability, skill gaps, supply chain disruptions and regulatory frameworks. However, the terrestrial nature of this paradigm has never been under question - that is, until recently. With advancing technologies opening new frontiers, particularly in the realm of orbital manufacturing, Ascent Solar Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ: ASTI) could be poised to deliver a radical new solution. Enter the world of on-orbit manufacturing. In prior ages of innovation and industrialization, the recurring motif has always been the earth, the literal ground zero. As such, manufacturing would invariably be confined to - and limited by - the rules of the ecosystem, from ambient temperatures to the rate at which objects fall. But by changing not just the protocol of manufacturing, but the entire canvas, suddenly, new possibilities emerge. Even better, in the case of Ascent Solar, the company doesn't just offer speculative moonshots designed to excite the exclusive domain of the theoretical – it says it has already laid the groundwork for solar production in orbit. The Innovation And Advantage Of Orbital Manufacturing Contrary to the complex lexicon utilized by other industries, the term orbital manufacturing is thankfully intuitive: it describes the process of producing goods in space rather than on earth. At first blush, the concept sounds unnecessarily complex and therefore expensive - until one realizes that space manufacturing can leverage unique conditions like microgravity, near-perfect vacuums and extreme temperatures. From a fundamental perspective, advocates of orbital manufacturing assert that certain conditions in space facilitate the development of products that offer superior quality than those of terrestrial origin. 'Space is a much better place to do almost any industrial process,' said Space Forge CEO Joshua Western in an interview with The Guardian. 'We live on a planet where we're weighed down by gravity. We made ovens, refrigerators and the vacuum pump to help manufacture products on earth, but if you go to space, you get those benefits for free.' Another pivotal edge of orbital manufacturing is production hampered by fewer defects, particularly for complex processes such as semiconductors. To be fair, McKinsey & Company notes that such defects are relatively rare in the chipmaking space. However, an important attribute is the natural vacuum of the final frontier, which could help facilitate thin-layering techniques. These unique protocols help reduce or eliminate gases during production, potentially leading to the development of smaller semiconductor structures. McKinsey acknowledges that if space-based research and development could develop such advanced semiconductors, the benefits could be massive. As circumstances stand now, the industry represents one of the largest on the planet, with total sales projected to hit $725 billion by this year. Moreover, research in the arena will clock in at about $90 billion. Since tech giants compete heavily for the most incremental of advantages, an overhaul in terms of the underlying structure of semiconductors could change the game entirely. In particular, one key subsegment of the semiconductor industry – solar photovoltaics (PV) - could see tremendous advances, which is where Ascent Solar Technologies comes in. The Case For Solar PV In Orbit At its core, solar PV represents a family of devices that convert sunlight into electricity using semiconductors – a process known as the photovoltaic effect. Through this process, solar panels are able to power everything in space from satellites to space stations. Obviously, to develop these panels, engineers construct them terrestrially. By logical reasoning, these complex PV systems must survive violent launches to reach orbit, adding to the total mass involved, along with increased costs and challenges. A key advantage, then, of on-orbit manufacturing is convenience. Should solar cells and panels be constructed in space, the process eliminates the logistical burden of surviving launches. From a financial and business planning perspective, orbital manufacturing may yield greater predictability, keeping the accounting department happy. From an engineering standpoint, this new approach permits the production of lighter, higher-efficiency panels with custom geometries. In other words, specialized panels no longer need to be 'folded' to accommodate orbital deployment. Instead, these products can be built to spec, in space. Of course, money always talks - and the conversation is only getting louder. According to Ascent's research, market demand for on-orbit power could reach 1.8 megawatts per year by 2030 - and that's not including large-scale projects like Starlink. Even more compelling, the U.S. Department of Defense requires more advanced solutions, particularly drones, satellites and forward bases that are undergirded by superior power-to-mass ratios. Ascent may be uniquely positioned to help advance the next step in the broader space economy, drawing intrigue toward its capabilities and acumen. Ascending Above The Competition Based in Thornton, Colorado, Ascent is one of the leading providers of innovative, high-performance, flexible thin-film solar panels. These specially designed systems were manufactured for scenarios where traditional rigid solar panels don't work. Commanding a rich portfolio of patents, Ascent has quickly risen to its place in the industry thanks to its lab-to-fab experiences, particularly in the realm of lightweight panels. Specifically, the company participated directly in a U.S. Air Force-backed feasibility study, contributing critical technical guidance for a conceptual thin-film PV manufacturing system designed to operate in orbit. Working alongside Above: Orbital Inc., Ascent helped map out a compact system architecture capable of producing up to 500 kilowatts per year - all within the internal dimensions of a single space station module. At the heart of the process is Ascent's proprietary vacuum-deposition technique, a method already optimized for space conditions. Rather than force components to survive the stresses of launch, Ascent's system processes raw materials in orbit, unlocking higher-efficiency output with fewer structural trade-offs. Projected power-to-mass ratios approach 830 watts per kilogram in space, a substantial improvement over legacy systems. Ascent reports that the form factor flexibility of its design also eliminates the need for folding mechanisms or reinforced frames, enabling custom geometries tailored to mission-specific requirements. Backed by a robust patent portfolio – including coverage of sequential deposition techniques, multilayer back contact systems and integrated thermal management – Ascent holds key intellectual property directly aligned with orbital production. Leveraging engineering extending far beyond the conceptual phase and into the tangible domain, the underlying innovations offer significant relevancies for both governmental and commercial endeavors. A New Industrial Frontier Ascent is helping shape a new manufacturing paradigm – one that trades the constraints of gravity and launch logistics for flexibility, efficiency and scale. It says its core technology aligns directly with the demands of space-based infrastructure, offering a streamlined path from concept to deployment. With government-backed validation, a growing patent portfolio and clear relevance to both defense and commercial markets, Ascent isn't waiting for the future to arrive - it's helping to forge it. For more information about Ascent Solar Technologies and its role in orbital manufacturing, click here. Featured imagebyBrunoonPixabay. This post contains sponsored content. This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be investing advice. This content was originally published on Benzinga. Read further disclosures here. View the original release on
Sky News
11-04-2025
- Business
- Sky News
Company started by 'two blokes in a Cardiff garage' is about to launch a game-changing space factory
Why you can trust Sky News A company started by "two blokes in a Cardiff garage" is about to launch a game-changing space factory that could start a new industrial revolution. Space Forge will ship its prototype manufacturing satellite in the coming weeks from an industrial park in the city to the US, where it will be sent into orbit on a SpaceX rocket. Sky News was given exclusive access to the company's dust-free 'clean room' to watch engineers carry out final checks. ForgeStar-1 is already loaded up with the raw ingredients to make a new generation of super-efficient semiconductor chips that would be impossible to produce on the planet's surface. Joshua Western, the company's co-founder, said: "This is the next industrial revolution but it's in space, it's not on Earth." Semiconductors are found in almost all electronic technology. They're currently made from silicon crystals, but the material has a performance ceiling. However, in the microgravity and vacuum of space it's possible to make crystals from a new mix of chemical compounds that would allow computer chips to work faster while consuming less power. "We're able to reduce the energy consumed where they get deployed by more than 50%," Joshua said. "In the UK alone, we're talking billions of pounds being saved in the energy bill alone. "That's in terms of consumer mobile data, but also data applications that are really (energy) hungry - artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and all the way down to people using ChatGPT at home." The prototype will test out the process of making the material, and it's been given the first in-orbit advanced manufacturing licence by the Civil Aviation Authority. If it works, the next mission will be for real, producing pure crystals that could be cloned back on Earth to meet huge demand. The company reckons such high-grade material for electronics could be worth up to £45m per kilogram, far outstripping the cost of launching on a rocket. But to safely bring such a precious cargo back to the planet, the company has had to design its own lightweight heat shield able to withstand high temperatures as it plunges through the atmosphere. It's called Pridwen, named after King Arthur's shield, and it's folded, origami-style, into a tiny space until it's needed. Then it springs open like an umbrella to protect the satellite and slow it down so that it gently splashes down in the ocean, where it can be picked up. ForgeStar-1 is a pioneer. The UK's Satellite Applications Catapult, which supports space start-ups, says everything from stronger metal alloys to powerful cancer drugs could in future be made in space. Nafeesa Dajda, chief of missions at the Catapult, said Britain is taking the lead. "We can communicate from pretty much anywhere on Earth using satellite technology," she said. "There's an opportunity now to think about how we use space in a different way and the unique environment that space provides us with, that microgravity environment, means we can do things we just can't do on Earth. "So how big could this be for the UK? Huge. "We've estimated that the opportunity is worth around £20bn to the UK economy over the next 10 years." At Space Forge HQ the team will be anxious to see their satellite leave for the US after years of development work. It's a story that could have come straight from Silicon Valley. "It demonstrates what a couple of guys who started in a garage on the outskirts of the city when they got bored one night in the pub were actually able to do," said Joshua. "There is an optimism with technology now (in the UK) that we didn't always used to have. "There is a new life in the industrial base, especially around engineering, and that's despite all of the challenges that it has right now."
