Trevor Smith 🚀

🚀 Turning Space Ambition into Venture-Ready Companies I’m thrilled to see Seraphim Space partner with Space Florida to launch the #SpaceTech Investor Readiness Program, an initiative designed to help high-potential SpaceTech founders transition from breakthrough innovation to scalable, investable businesses. Florida’s space ecosystem combines deep heritage, world-class infrastructure, and ambitious founders. By bringing together Seraphim’s global investor network and SpaceTech investment expertise with Space Florida’s ecosystem leadership, this program focuses on a pivotal moment for founders: connecting the right companies with the right capital at the right time. The pilot program brings experienced investors together with seven standout Florida-based SpaceTech companies, while also engaging local investors to deepen understanding of the opportunities emerging from the state. Seraphim are delighted to support: Aloft Biotechnologies AMROK Arachnid Systems BlackStar Orbital Eta Space Micro-gRx X-Lumin At Seraphim, we’ve always believed that SpaceTech ecosystems thrive when investor readiness, global connectivity, and strong local leadership come together. Florida is a powerful example of what’s possible and it’s exciting to see the momentum building. 🚀 The journey is just beginning... Reach out to our team if you'd like to find out more: Alexander Holt, Ellie Gyaurova, Alessandro Braglia, Aida Khalil. Isabella Simmonds Read the full release here: https://lnkd.in/ewXSXx8w #SpaceTech #VentureReady #NewSpace #Aerospace #Investing #GlobalCapital #Startups #SeraphimSpace #SpaceFlorida

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🚀 Turning Space Ambition into Venture-Ready Companies I’m excited to see Seraphim partner with Space Florida to launch the #SpaceTech Investor Readiness Program, an initiative helping high-potential SpaceTech startups become investment-ready. By combining Seraphim’s global investor network with Florida’s rich space ecosystem, this program connects founders with the right investors, partners, and guidance to scale. The pilot brings together seven standout Florida-based companies and will culminate in a showcase at SpaceCom Orlando in January. Congratulations to: Aloft Biotechnologies AMROK Arachnid Systems BlackStar Orbital Eta Space Micro-gRx X-Lumin Florida is a great example of how strong local ecosystems and global connectivity create the conditions for lasting SpaceTech success. 🚀 Exciting times ahead for SpaceTech innovation... For more info reach out to the team: Alexander Holt, Ellie Gyaurova, Alessandro Braglia, Aida Khalil, Isabella Simmonds Read the full release here: https://lnkd.in/eFUA2QNe #SpaceTech #VentureReady #NewSpace #Aerospace #Investing #GlobalCapital #Startups #SeraphimSpace #SpaceFlorida

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Sidus Space® is proud to be featured in Orlando Magazine's Faces of Aerospace Innovation. Direct from Florida’s #SpaceCoast, we deliver advanced space and defense technologies with core capabilities that include: ▪️Dual-use satellite manufacturing & technology integration ▪️AI products and services ▪️Space and defense hardware components ▪️Space-based data solutions Our technology portfolio includes: ▪️ Fortis™ VPX Systems – rugged, high-performance computing systems for air, land, sea & space ▪️ LizzieSat® – next-generation hybrid 3-D printed satellites designed for LEO, GEO, and Lunar missions ▪️ Orlaith™ AI Ecosystem – combining FeatherEdge™ hardware and Cielo™ software for near real-time edge computing and AI-driven insights With deep heritage in flight-proven technologies, Sidus continues to push boundaries in all-domain avionics & GN&C systems, RF payloads, high-performance computing, multi-disciplinary engineering services and artificial intelligence technologies. Read the full feature: Faces of Aerospace Innovation – https://lnkd.in/eZa78UfN Mark Mikolajczyk Valerij Ojdanic Carol Craig #SidusSpace #AerospaceInnovation #SpaceTechnology #AI #DefenseTech #SidusNews #LizzieSat #OrlaithAi #FortisVPX #FeatherEdge #Cielo

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From college lab to $73B Market: Baltimore startup, Wave Engine Corporation, powers next wave of drones They design and build jet engines that propel small aircraft using pressure waves instead of moving parts. They also build drones. Check out Wave Engine Corp. in The Baltimore Sun at https://lnkd.in/embR8Nd5 Wave Engine Corporation is a TEDCO Maryland Innovation Initiative company.

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Stoke Space’s $510 million raise marks a turning point for the launch industry—and a broader trend across advanced sectors.     Today’s leading innovators are building technologies that strengthen national and industrial resilience. Defense may be the first proving ground, but the long-term goal is commercial scale—where these breakthroughs can transform entire industries.    The same dynamic drives progress in energy and manufacturing: when innovation underpins essential systems, it creates durable growth, stronger supply chains, and lasting prosperity. https://tcrn.ch/3IZ1gDh

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Venus Aerospace is redefining the future of propulsion — and SpaceNews is taking note. The latest article by Sandra Erwin highlights how Lockheed Martin Ventures’ investment supports our mission to scale flight-proven RDRE technology and deliver new capabilities shaping the future of aerospace and defense. 🔗 Read more: https://lnkd.in/gqSUDsXw #VenusAerospace #LockheedMartinVentures #DefenseInnovation #Propulsion #FutureOfDefense

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🚀 We’re thrilled to announce our investment in Samara Aerospace’s $10 million Seed round to help bring more stability to satellites in orbit and enable high-sensitivity radio frequency (RF) detection for defense (e.g. hypersonic missiles) and commercial (e.g. vessels) applications.  The round was led by Balerion Space Ventures, with participation from IllinoisVentures GP LLC, MFV Partners, and Access Holdings Samara’s vision: Samara is building a new generation of high-stability satellites, called Hummingbirds, designed to detect the faintest RF emissions from Earth and its atmosphere. The problem: Modern satellites are optimized for cost and speed, at the expense of: ⚠️ Signal instability reducing data quality and reliability ⚠️ Limited ability to detect aircraft radar, ship transponders, and advanced weather systems ⚠️ Inefficiencies that translate into lost time, resources, and data What Samara does differently: At the core of Hummingbird is MSAC (Multifunctional Structures for Attitude Control), an active vibration-cancellation system. Instead of passively damping movements and jitters, MSAC actively eliminates them, allowing for: ✅ Extreme satellite stability for ultra-weak RF signal detection ✅ Support for much larger antennas and solar arrays without sacrificing agility ✅ Cut satellite size and weight without impacting performance Traction: Samara recently launched its technology demonstrator, “Cicada” with SpaceX and received Non-dilutive funding including a $4M SpaceWERX Tactical Funding Increase (TACFI) award and a NASA Phase I contract. These are in addition to more than $800m in LOIs that Samara holds with aerospace contractors and companies. Samara's plans to deploy a full constellation of these stabilised satellites, enabling faint radio signals detection for dual-use application: Defence: tracking fast-moving targets, including hypersonic missiles, with precision beyond existing technology.  Commercial/Civil: providing continuous monitoring and awareness of assets across the globe such as vessels and airplanes. What’s next: 🚀 First mission Hummingbird-1 planned for 2027 🏭 Scaling operations with a new 11,200-sq-ft production facility We’re excited to back Samara Aerospace alongside Balerion Space Ventures and What If Ventures, and are excited for what’s to come. You can read the full press release here: https://lnkd.in/enZyy2Xu 💡 Want access to breakthrough ventures like Samara Aerospace? Join our investor network 👉 https://lnkd.in/g4AedRck Note: This announcement is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation to buy securities. #SpaceTech #Aerospace #DefenseTech #DeepTech #VentureCapital

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The U.S Aerospace and Defense manufacturing base faces critical challenges across nearly every layer of production. A legacy network of aging forging houses, under-digitized machine shops, and capacity constrained composites fabricators, are struggling to keep pace with the speed, complexity, and compliance demands of modern aerospace and defense programs. But a new wave of innovation is beginning to close critical gaps across the supply chain. ▪️ Composites Manufacturing - Out of autoclave curing, automated layup, and real time QA are making production faster, lighter and more consistent. ▪️ Forging - Near-net shape processes and simulation tools are enabling small batch, exotic alloy parts with less waste and shorter lead times. ▪️ Machining- Autonomous, fully compliant platforms are emerging to produce low-volume, high-complexity parts. ▪️ Quality, Compliance, and Traceability - Predictive inspection, automated documentation, and end to end digital traceability are modernizing certification workflows. ▪️ Additive Manufacturing - Faster prototyping and production of complex, flight ready parts ideal for modern UAV systems, hypersonics and defense programs. Linked in the comments is the latest article in our series breaking down this growing industrial crisis, and how the U.S. can reindustrialize its aerospace and defense manufacturing base.

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As we head into Commercial UAV Show I just published a piece for Autonomy Global on #Part108 and the regulatory reality facing emerging aerospace companies: the first-mover advantage isn't just about market timing—it's about locking in regulatory positions that become increasingly valuable over time. Key insights from years of certification work: → Grandfathering protects early approvals as standards evolve → Part 108 will transition existing waivers, not eliminate first-mover advantages → Every month of delay gives future competitors more time to catch up → Aviation certifications can generate returns for decades The uncomfortable truth: the regulatory bar isn't getting lower. Companies building business plans around "easier future regulations" are building on fantasy scenarios. The pathfinders investing in regulatory positions today—despite the expense and complexity—are establishing competitive advantages that late entrants will struggle to replicate. Read the full analysis: https://lnkd.in/gFJ_YypS What's your experience with the certification timing dilemma? #Aerospace #Drones #AAM #Part108 #AviationRegulation #EmergingTech

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Big news: Apex has raised $200M in Series D financing to increase production capacity of our productized satellite bus platforms and strengthen our role as the partner of choice for tomorrow’s proliferated constellations! This latest investment, led by Achal Upadhyaya and Tom Ochinero at Interlagos, boosts Apex’s valuation to over one billion dollars. The new capital will fund a large-scale Factory One expansion, which will increase bus production capacity by 50% and enable additional vertical integration of key strategic components. Following our Series C earlier this year, this latest round underscores strong customer demand and the global need for mass-produced satellite buses to power next-generation constellations across orbital regimes. “From day one, Apex has been about rapidly scaling satellite production to support future constellations,” said Ian Cinnamon, Chief Executive Officer and co-founder of Apex. “This new funding allows us to do exactly that—expanding our production capacity to serve our government and commercial partners better as they deploy spacecraft at scale. Whether supporting a global connectivity network or a critical national security mission like Golden Dome, Apex is ready to deliver reliable, rapidly deployable spacecraft that make these constellations possible.” Read more: https://lnkd.in/edMtWNbD

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