Imagining forward

We track deep tech startups and transactions for funds and program offices.
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[Imagining forward @imagining4ward]

Most space startups won’t fail because of tech. But because their financing structure breaks first.

Gabriel Schlumberger, MD @Techstars_Space, on dual-use, defense, VC, and how to stay alive long enough before the S-curve steepens.

Full episode 👇 https://t.co/X1h1znGTfS

[Firestorm @Firestorm_Labs]

Firestorm FPV BUILD CONTEST at #SOFWeek

Competitors will assemble flyable Firestorm FPV drones (Squalls) using xCell printed parts. The fastest builder wins a prize and eternal glory.

220 S Franklin St. just outside the Tampa Convention Center.

Tues 5/19 2pm – 4pm
Wed 5/20 10am – 12pm and 2pm – 4pm
Thurs 5/21 10am – 12pm

Think you can win?

Sign up here: https://t.co/bhH3DOuIkX

Stay tuned for a livestream!

[Kratos @KratosDefense]

Collaboration drives innovation—and @XPONENTIALshow is where the future of unmanned systems takes shape.

Kratos is heading to Detroit, May 12–14, and we’re bringing the Mighty Hornet IV to Booth #12030. Stop by to see how we’re advancing practical, affordable, tactical UAS built for today’s mission demands.

Through our partnership with Taiwan’s National Chung Shan Institute of Science and Technology (NCSIST), we’re strengthening MUM T and loitering munition mission performance with a U.S./Taiwan collaboration focused on near term operational impact and affordable mass.

See you in Detroit for #XPONENTIAL 2026.

#XPO26 #DefenseTech #UAV #DefenseSector

[Bala Selvam @BalaSelvam]

In partnership with @DIU_x, we are rebuilding our AI Arsenal! Submit to the DIU CSO to build out our tier 3 (modular compute stack) data centers. This is how we win the AI race!

Share so we can get the best of the best competing. Link below:

https://t.co/9OgYzVootz

[Imagining forward @imagining4ward]

@outpostspace is building orbital shipping containers. 🛸

Watch Julie Newman, VP Engineering explain how - https://t.co/bvzqo46E6E

[Space Systems Command @USSF_SSC]

We’re gearing up for Space Symposium 2026!
Visit #SpaceForce Front Door, our premier industry connection portal at booth #110. Check out our schedule and let’s connect! https://t.co/IUd9SWDVdc

[Axel @ax_pey]

Time to build general-purpose robots, on hardware made in SF

We are bringing @NASA @GoogleDeepMind @scale_AI and more at @ycombinator for a general-purpose robotics hackathon

Each team will have a robot and compete across all Al modalities to make the coolest AI project

⬇️

[2048 Ventures 🧬 🤖 ⚙️ @2048vc]

🚀 Applications are now open for the @2048vc Pitch Competitions during Boston and New York @Techweek_

Boston
🧬 Biotech - May 27
⚙️ Deep Tech - May 28 (co-hosted with @BoostVC)

New York
🏥 Healthcare - June 2
🤖 Vertical AI - June 2

💰 $50K prize for each Biotech, Healthcare, and Vertical AI winner
💰 $100K prize for the Deep Tech winner (in partnership with Boost VC)

Apply to pitch LIVE by April 24!

🔗 Apply: https://t.co/P7daIUWayv
🔗 Learn more: https://t.co/wqswHOmETC

[Runtime @RuntimeBRT]

🚨 Bengaluru-based @BellatrixAero is building the future of satellite propulsion in India.

Founders @rohanooty and @YashasKaranam began working on propulsion in 2011.

They just raised $20M from @Inflexor_VC, @growXventures, and others.

Here's everything you need to know.

[Vigilant Aerospace @VigilantAero]

Vigilant Aerospace Systems is a sponsor this year for AERO Oklahoma. Join us Wednesday, April 1, 9 AM to 2 PM at the Oklahoma State Capitol and stop by our booth in the rotunda to meet the team and see our drone!

#AEROOklahoma #OklahomaAerospaceWeek #OklahomaAerospace

[Ondas Inc. @OndasHoldings]

Ondas has completed the acquisition of Rotron Aerospace, adding advanced propulsion technologies and long-range unmanned aircraft platforms to its autonomous systems portfolio. The transaction strengthens Ondas’ engineering capabilities and expands its presence within the UK and NATO defense ecosystem. $ONDS

https://t.co/2Ege9Vkrmt

[Secretary Sean Duffy @SecDuffy]

🚨The future of flight is here under @POTUS with eight new pilot projects as a part of our Advanced Air Mobility pilot program:

🛬 Safely test futuristic aircraft that will RADICALLY CHANGE the way people and products move

🚁 Partners will use these aircraft for all kinds of scenarios, including: urban air taxis, regional travel, cargo logistics, and emergency medicine

🇺🇸 This will create one of the WORLD’s largest testing environments for next-generation aircraft in states all across America

It all begins THIS SUMMER!

[ARIDGE @ARIDGE_Official]

We’ve moved from concept to batch trial production. The first test flights are already being completed at our Guangzhou mass-production facility.

The future isn't coming; it’s being built.

#ARIDGE #LandAircraftCarrier #FlyingCar

[Atoms Not Bits @AtomsNotBits]

Forward Deployed Energy

Daily Hard Tech Headlines:

- @chariotdefense, the San Francisco startup developing power systems for critical defense areas such as autonomous systems, C-UAS, EW, and forward-deployed manufacturing, has raised a $34M Series A led by Andreessen Horowitz. The capital will be used to expand production and the team, and to develop a platform for managing, coordinating, and distributing power across defense systems.

- Sentrycs, an @OndasHoldings company, deployed its C-UAS system to support security at the World Economic Forum, protecting against drone threats alongside local authorities and partners.

- Ground Control Development has raised $2M in a pre-seed round. The startup is developing a facilities management platform aimed at hard tech firms, which often operate highly complex physical facilities. The round was led by Root Ventures.

- @harbinger, the Orange County electric medium-duty vehicle manufacturer, has acquired Phantom AI, a developer of autonomous driving software.

- @UNION_Prime has signed an MOU with Firehawk to integrate UNION’s software-defined factories with Firehawk’s energetics and propulsion manufacturing, beginning with metal components to support scalable defense production.

- @Mach_Industries, the unmanned systems startup, has expanded to San Francisco with a focus on engineering.

- @DroneShield has secured an agreement with Australia’s Department of Defence focused on C-UAS technology research, including collaboration on testing activities and facilities sharing. Additionally, the firm is opening a C-UAS R&D center in Adelaide, Australia, supported by a $13M investment.

- @MatXComputing has raised $500M in a Series B round. The startup develops custom chips for AI training. Jane Street and Situational Awareness led the round.

- Traxys Group, the global commodities firm, has partnered with @PhoenixTailings, with the partnership focused on expanding U.S. rare earth production alongside sourcing and distribution capabilities.

- Pratt & Whitney is deploying $200M to further build out operations in Columbus, Georgia.x

- Freire Shipyard - C.N.P.FREIRE, S.A has secured a contract with the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration under which the firm will deliver new vessels focused on military logistics operations.

- Hyundai Rotem Black Veil UGV now integrates hydrogen fuel-cell propulsion to enable longer endurance and low-signature operations. The vehicle is built for the defense end-market.

- SPARK42 tested its Physics-Informed AI model on a Polaris MRZR running on edge compute using vision-based autonomy in a winter environment.

[Tom Mueller @lrocket]

Space is f'n huge.
Between LEO, where most rockets drop off, and GEO, where critical infrastructure like comsats live, there’s 75+ trillion cubic miles. Missions need to move beyond launch, and the team at Impulse is building the in-space mobility solutions needed to do that well.
We have over 100 open roles right now, across all departments. We're building something the entire orbital economy needs. Take a look! https://t.co/NkabBGYRMl

[Atoms Not Bits @AtomsNotBits]

Space Data Center Funding

Daily Hard Tech Headlines:

- @valaratomics introduced its reactor site at the Utah San Rafael Energy Lab, with nuclear modules now in place.

- @Picogrid has partnered with Guardian RF, a counter UAS sensing startup, to support installation security at Vandenberg Space Force Base. Guardian RF’s Scout sensors provide passive drone detection integrated into Picogrid’s edge computing, power, and command and control architecture.

- Alpha Delta Ventures has invested in @VolundMfg, an Orange County startup developing next-generation, low-cost propulsion systems for attritable drones and defense platforms using micro jet turbine engines.

- DroneControl has partnered with the San Luis Obispo Police Department to enable real-time drone operations and live situational awareness.

- Ian Zhelezniak, Dionisii Nuzhnyi, and Victor Gabaldon secured first place at the European Defense Tech Hackathon in London, where the team developed an electronic warfare counter-FPV tool designed to prevent enemies from intercepting or viewing FPV drone feeds.

- Sophia Space has raised a $10M seed round. The Pasadena, California startup is developing space-based data centers.

- Ubicquia, Inc., the Florida-based company building smart city technology such as smart streetlights, has raised a $106M Series D.

- @Apple is bringing Mac mini production to Houston, Texas, starting later this year.

- Mehler Protection, an armor technology firm, has launched a vehicle-mounted C-UAS system designed to protect against low-angle and sudden drone attacks.

- @intramotev, a rail autonomy startup, has begun deployment operations in Wood River, Illinois, working with short-line railroad operator Watco.

- @boomsupersonic has partnered with Baker Hughes, ordering 25 generators to pair with its Superpower turbines to deliver baseload power for large AI data centers.

- FATHOMWERX shared a success story highlighting Atmosphereh2o deployment of Atmospheric Water Generation (AWG) technology to San Nicolas Island, a U.S. Navy installation, to address water logistics challenges by generating potable water directly from atmospheric moisture, where water previously had to be flown in due to aging infrastructure.

- @ursamajortech has introduced a new hypersonic missile system designed for affordable, large-scale production. The maneuverable, medium-range system uses a liquid rocket engine.

- An NH90 helicopter has been transported inside an Airbus A400M for the first time, marking a new milestone in strategic airlift by the Spanish Air Force.

[Firehawk @FirehawkAero]

Proud to share that Firehawk Aerospace has entered into a CRADA with DEVCOM AvMC.

As the battlefield grows more complex and lethal, the Army needs tactical fires that can be produced faster, at scale, and at lower cost.

Grateful to the DEVCOM AvMC team for their partnership and shared commitment to innovation in support of the warfighter.

[Caleb @caleb_friesen]

Armatrix is building snake-like robotic arms...

...from scratch in India.

Visited them recently to see how they're automating work inside tight industrial assets like:

- Ship ballast tanks
- Nuclear reactors
- Aircraft engines

Congrats on the $2.1M pre-seed @armatrix_IN

[Jim Davis @JimDavis_UT]

Proud moment for UT. A major partnership with the Texas Space Commission and the U.S. Space Force will expand space research, support our students, and strengthen Texas’ leadership.

[Aurelius Systems @aureliuslasers]

We are hiring across our R&D engineering department. Let's talk.
https://t.co/s4wZ20YqZ6