Isembard
UK software-first manufacturing company building distributed precision factories for aerospace, defense, and other critical industries.
Isembard operates its own network of high-precision machining and manufacturing factories, taking 3D design/CAD submissions and delivering manufactured parts and assembly through proprietary software (MasonOS) that integrates quoting, scheduling, supply chain, manufacturing, QC, and delivery. Serves aerospace, defense, space, nuclear energy, and drone customers, including Imperial College Space Society's Project Kepler rocket engine and Project Stratus high-altitude balloon, and Third Planet Orbital. Founded by CEO Alexander Fitzgerald in October 2024, Isembard runs on a franchise model — its first franchisee site in Exeter, run by Shaun Rowcliffe, was operational within four months. The company operates roughly 6 factories across the UK, US, Germany, France, and Ukraine as of early 2026, with plans to expand to 25 factories by the end of 2026.
Overview
- Headquarters
- London, UK
- Founded
- 2024
- Employees
- ~12 (Apr 2025, likely higher now)
- Total funding
- $59M ($9M seed + $50M Series A)
- Stage
- Series A
- Status
- active
- Domains
- Precision manufacturing, Aerospace and defense supply chain, Reindustrialization
- Website
- www.isembard.com
Investors11
- FundNotion CapitalLondon-based early-stage VC investing in B2B enterprise software, SaaS, and fintech, primarily leading Series A rounds.
- Fund201 VenturesEuropean defense-tech-focused venture capital firm run by Eric Slesinger; portfolio includes Isembard, Polar Mist, and Delian Alliance Industries. (The prior claim that Helsing is a portfolio company was independently verified and refuted -- removed.)
- FundBasis CapitalVenture capital firm; participated in Isembard's $9M seed round (April 2025).
- FundForward FundVenture capital firm; participated in Isembard's $9M seed round (April 2025).
- FundMaterial VenturesVenture capital firm; participated in Isembard's $9M seed round (April 2025).
- FundNP-Hard VenturesVenture capital firm; participated in Isembard's $9M seed round (April 2025).
- FundUnion Square VenturesNew York City-based generalist venture capital firm founded in 2003; led Isembard's $50M Series A (March 2026).
- FundTamarack GlobalVenture capital firm; participated in Isembard's $50M Series A (March 2026).
- FundIQ CapitalCambridge/London deep-tech venture capital firm investing pre-seed to Series A across Europe (portfolio includes Thought Machine, Nuclear Turbines, FocalPoint); participated in Isembard's $50M Series A (March 2026), confirmed via IQ Capital's own portfolio page.
- FundCIVClean Industry Ventures (CIV); returning participant in Isembard's $50M Series A (March 2026).
- FundNever LiftVenture capital firm led by Charlie March; an early investor in Cambridge Aerospace, participating across all three of its funding rounds through 2025.
Cap table0
Approximate ownership by holder. Indexed holders link to their records.
Raised per round
Percentages marked ~ are not disclosed. Some are a generic VC-pattern model (founders/team weighted heaviest, option pool lightest, other holders evenly) sized to whatever's left undisclosed — a standard industry shape, not this company's actual cap table.
| Holder | Instrument | Ownership |
|---|---|---|
| Preferred (Series A) | ~20.0% | |
| Preferred (Series A) | ~20.0% | |
| Preferred (Series A) | ~20.0% | |
| Preferred (Series A) | ~20.0% | |
| Preferred (Series A, Lead) | ~20.0% |
Contracts0
No linked records yet.
Programs0
No linked records yet.
Frequently asked
- What does Isembard do?
- Isembard operates its own network of high-precision machining and manufacturing factories, taking 3D design/CAD submissions and delivering manufactured parts and assembly through proprietary software (MasonOS) that integrates quoting, scheduling, supply chain, manufacturing, QC, and delivery. Serves aerospace, defense, space, nuclear energy, and drone customers, including Imperial College Space Society's Project Kepler rocket engine and Project Stratus high-altitude balloon, and Third Planet Orbital. Founded by CEO Alexander Fitzgerald in October 2024, Isembard runs on a franchise model — its first franchisee site in Exeter, run by Shaun Rowcliffe, was operational within four months. The company operates roughly 6 factories across the UK, US, Germany, France, and Ukraine as of early 2026, with plans to expand to 25 factories by the end of 2026.
- Where is Isembard headquartered?
- Isembard is headquartered in London, UK and was founded in 2024.
- How much funding has Isembard raised?
- Isembard has raised $59M ($9M seed + $50M Series A) in disclosed funding.
- What does Isembard specialize in?
- Isembard works across Precision manufacturing, Aerospace and defense supply chain, Reindustrialization.
Sources & citations4
Each claim links to its underlying source. Confidence reflects how directly the source supports the claim.
- 1
British startup Isembard lands $9M seed, led by Notion Capital with 201 Ventures, Basis Capital, Forward Fund, Material Ventures, Neverlift Ventures, and NP-Hard Ventures, to reshore manufacturing for critical industries
TechCrunch: British startup Isembard lands $9M to reshore manufacturing for critical industriesVerified2025-04-24 - 2
UK manufacturing startup Isembard secures $50M Series A led by Union Square Ventures, with Tamarack Global, IQ Capital, and returning investors Notion Capital and CIV, to expand its factory network
Tech.eu: UK manufacturing startup Isembard secures $50MVerified2026-03-09 - 3
- 4
Isembard raises $50M Series A to open 25 AI-powered factories serving aerospace and defense, expanding across the UK, US, Germany, France, and Ukraine
Soldier Systems Daily: Isembard Raises $50M Series A to Open 25 AI-Powered Factories Serving Aerospace and DefenseVerified2026-03-10