Isembard Secures $9M Funding to Reshore UK Manufacturing
Reshoring Initiatives Drive Demand for Advanced Manufacturing Solutions
Growing geopolitical pressures are prompting numerous nations to prioritize reshoring – the process of re-establishing domestic critical industry infrastructure and repatriating businesses previously relocated to lower-cost countries.
However, successfully implementing reshoring strategies presents significant hurdles. Many Western countries currently lack the established infrastructure necessary to meet the production demands of modern businesses, particularly in the realm of precision manufacturing.
Isembard: A New Approach to Precision Manufacturing
Isembard, a British startup, is addressing this challenge by aiming to build a network of advanced factories across Western locations. The company’s CEO, Alexander Fitzgerald, revealed to TechCrunch that their initial facility became operational in London in January and is already capable of fulfilling requests for high-precision parts.
Isembard’s target market includes companies that, rather than investing heavily in their own manufacturing facilities, typically rely on external manufacturers for production.
“For instance, if you are developing an uncrewed aerial system, such as a drone,” Fitzgerald explained, “you would provide us with a 3D design of the necessary components. We then provide a quotation detailing the turnaround time and cost, machine the part from the specified material, and deliver it to you. We can even handle the final assembly in some cases.”
The company intends to achieve economies of scale through its operations, utilizing a unified, proprietary software platform called MasonOS to connect and manage all its facilities.
A Competitive Alternative to Existing Supply Chains
This model offers a compelling alternative to traditional outsourcing to Asia, aligning with the increasing demand for more localized, resilient, and environmentally sustainable supply chains.
Fitzgerald posits that established British suppliers may struggle to adapt to the scale of the reshoring movement. He cites fragmented supply chains, a shortage of skilled labor due to retirements and career changes, and outdated factory infrastructure – all consequences of decades of manufacturing shifting overseas.
By integrating software and automation, Isembard believes it can provide a viable, faster, and more cost-effective solution.
Securing Seed Funding for Expansion
Isembard’s innovative approach has attracted significant investment, securing a £7 million (approximately $9 million) seed round led by Notion Capital. Additional participation came from 201 Ventures, Basis Capital, Forward Fund, Material Ventures, Neverlift Ventures, NP-Hard Ventures, and angel investors including Andreas Klinger and Joshua Western.
Focus on Key Industries and a Scalable Model
Initially, Isembard will concentrate its efforts on the aerospace, defense, and energy sectors. While Fitzgerald refrained from disclosing specific client names, he indicated that the company has gained initial traction with defense contractors and rapidly growing startups.
Currently operating with a team of just 12 employees, Isembard has adopted a capital-efficient strategy. The company was initially self-funded through the proceeds of Fitzgerald’s previous venture, Cuckoo, which was sold to Giganet in 2022.
This approach contrasts with that of U.S.-based automation startup Hadrian, which secured $216.5 million in 2024 to modernize parts manufacturing.
“We believe that constructing large, 100,000-square-foot factories requires excessive time, capital expenditure, and concentration of expertise,” Fitzgerald stated. “Our strategy involves a distributed factory model, comprising numerous smaller units operating under a consistent technology and automation framework.”
MasonOS: The Core of Isembard’s Operations
This distributed model is powered by MasonOS, Isembard’s proprietary system. It manages all aspects of the business, “from providing quotes and estimates to customers, to managing our supply chain, automating scheduling and prioritization, and controlling the core manufacturing processes and machine coding,” Fitzgerald explained.
He highlighted the outdated nature of existing systems, noting that many rely on paper-based processes or legacy software from the 1970s.
Inspired by Industrial Heritage and a Vision for the Future
Despite its modern software infrastructure, Isembard remains deeply rooted in engineering principles. The company’s name is a deliberate homage to Isambard Kingdom Brunel, a renowned British industrialist and engineer of the Industrial Revolution.
The company’s founding story also draws inspiration from Brunel’s father, who established a shoe factory after witnessing British soldiers suffering from ill-fitting footwear.
Fitzgerald’s personal commitment to national service, as a reservist since 2016, further fuels Isembard’s mission. While his family has no military background, he expresses a strong sense of patriotism.
Isembard’s ambitions extend beyond the U.K. and Europe, with potential expansion into North America, Australia, and New Zealand. “Our goal is to facilitate the revitalization of industrialization in the West,” Fitzgerald concluded.