Nominal
Software platform for testing, validating, and monitoring complex hardware systems used in aerospace and defense.
Nominal's continuous test stack manages and analyzes hardware telemetry from testing through operations, with hardware-in-the-loop test automation and edge processing (Nominal Connect). Customers include Anduril, Shield AI, and the US Air Force. Headquartered in Los Angeles, CA.
Overview
- Headquarters
- Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Founded
- 2022
- Employees
- Total funding
- $182M+ (as of March 2026 extension; listicle's $102M matches the pre-extension Seed+A+B total)
- Stage
- Series B
- Status
- active
- Domains
- Hardware test and validation software, Aerospace and defense test data platform, Hardware-in-the-loop automation
- Website
- nominal.io
Founders3
- FounderCameron McCordCo-founder and CEO of Nominal. Truman Scholar with MIT ties; served in the US Navy before working at Applied Intuition and Anduril Industries.
- FounderBryce StraussCo-founder of Nominal. Harvard Business School; previously at Lockheed Martin.
- FounderJason HochCo-founder of Nominal. MIT-affiliated; previously a software engineer/engineering lead at Vercel and worked at Palantir Technologies.
Investors6
- FundLux CapitalScience and tech VC with deep defense portfolio, early Anduril backer.
- FundFounders FundMulti-stage VC known for early bets on SpaceX, Palantir, and Anduril.
- FundGeneral CatalystGlobal VC with dedicated defense and national security practice.
- FundSequoia CapitalLegendary VC firm investing in defense technology including SpaceX and Mach Industries.
- FundLightspeed Venture PartnersGlobal venture capital firm; participated in Overland AI's Series A and both of Orqa's Seed and Series A rounds.
- FundRed Glass VenturesVenture capital firm; participated in Nominal's $80M Series B-2 acceleration round (2026, $1B valuation).
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 B-2) | ~16.7% | |
| Preferred (Series B-2, Follow-on) | ~16.7% | |
| Preferred (Series B-2, Follow-on) | ~16.7% | |
| Preferred (Series B-2, Follow-on) | ~16.7% | |
| Preferred (Series B-2, Follow-on) | ~16.7% | |
| Preferred (Series B-2, Lead) | ~16.7% |
Programs0
No linked records yet.
Frequently asked
- What does Nominal do?
- Nominal's continuous test stack manages and analyzes hardware telemetry from testing through operations, with hardware-in-the-loop test automation and edge processing (Nominal Connect). Customers include Anduril, Shield AI, and the US Air Force. Headquartered in Los Angeles, CA.
- Where is Nominal headquartered?
- Nominal is headquartered in Los Angeles, CA, USA and was founded in 2022.
- How much funding has Nominal raised?
- Nominal has raised $182M+ (as of March 2026 extension; listicle's $102M matches the pre-extension Seed+A+B total) in disclosed funding.
- What does Nominal specialize in?
- Nominal works across Hardware test and validation software, Aerospace and defense test data platform, Hardware-in-the-loop automation.
- Does Nominal hold government contracts?
- Defense Tech Atlas links Nominal to 1 government contract.
Sources & citations7
Each claim links to its underlying source. Confidence reflects how directly the source supports the claim.
- 1
Nominal emerges from stealth with backing from General Catalyst, Lux Capital, and Founders Fund; founded by Cameron McCord, Bryce Strauss, and Jason Hoch
Business Wire: Nominal Emerges From Stealth With Backing From General Catalyst, Lux Capital, Founders Fund for Navigating Mission-Critical Data AnalyticsVerified2024-04-18 - 2
Nominal raises $80M at a $1B valuation in a Founders Fund-led acceleration round
Tectonic Defense: Nominal raises $80M at a $1B valuationVerified2026-03-05 - 3
Nominal formalizes an official partnership with Anduril Industries — a seven-figure-plus deal following an 18-month working relationship, with Nominal deployed across roughly half of Anduril's programs
Tectonic Defense: Exclusive: Anduril and Nominal Officially Team UpVerified2026-02-11 - 4
Nominal deepens its relationship with Shield AI around V-BAT flight test data
Nominal: Mission Brief: Shield AIReported2026-01-01 - 5
Nominal partners with Forterra, deepening its hardware test-data tooling for autonomy programs
Tectonic Defense: Exclusive: Nominal and Forterra Team UpReported2026-01-01 - 6
Nominal's Series B raised $75M led by Sequoia Capital (with Alfred Lin joining the board), with Lightspeed and existing investors participating
Nominal: Nominal raises $75M Series BVerified2025-06-12 - 7
Founders Fund leads an $80M bet on Nominal, a manufacturing/defense-test unicorn, in a Series B-2 acceleration round at a $1B valuation, with Sequoia, Lux Capital, General Catalyst, Lightspeed, and Red Glass Capital participating
Bloomberg: Founders Fund Leads $80 Million Bet on Manufacturing UnicornVerified2026-03-05