First Resonance Secures $14M to Scale Space Manufacturing OS

First Resonance Secures $14 Million to Expand Hardware Manufacturing Software

First Resonance develops software solutions specifically for hardware creation. Their Ion platform delivers a comprehensive solution for managing manufacturing operations, supply networks, engineering workflows, and design processes, among other critical functions. Bolstered by $14 million in recent funding, the company is poised to broaden its reach and aggressively target hardware manufacturers globally.

Origins in Aerospace Engineering

The company was founded by a group of former engineers from SpaceX. They recognized that the efficient processes they implemented at the space launch company could be adapted to benefit manufacturers of a wide range of products – from unmanned aerial vehicles to consumer toys, and even advanced rocket systems.

Since initial coverage last year, First Resonance has gained significant traction and aims to sustain this momentum as it pursues larger and more prominent clients.

Addressing a Critical Need

“In 2020, First Resonance began acquiring its initial customer base. This coincided with a period where hardware manufacturers and builders urgently required a means to connect remote teams with factory operations, and to integrate disparate manufacturing facilities,” explained co-founder and CEO Karan Talati. “Our platform was uniquely positioned to address this need.”

The Ion platform has demonstrated its value, growing from 15 customers at the close of 2020 to over 30 currently. These customers include significant players in the hardware space, such as Joby Aviation, Reliable Robotics, and Astranis.

Managing Complexity in Hardware Production

“The challenge of building highly sophisticated products extends beyond the construction process itself. It encompasses the intricate assembly of components and the management of complex, multi-tiered Bills of Materials (BOMs),” Talati stated. “Ion empowers companies to define and understand this complexity with a detailed level of precision, enabling rapid iteration and refinement of their design and manufacturing procedures.”

A core feature of the platform is its automated, yet robust, tracking of parts and processes – a capability honed by the team’s experience at SpaceX while developing reusable launch vehicles.

The Power of Granular Tracking

“SpaceX distinguished itself through its ability to track components down to the serial number and lot number. They could identify which parts had been exposed to specific conditions or potential defects,” Talati clarified. “This is precisely the challenge our customers face. Automakers often incur billions in costs due to broad recalls, whereas Tesla recently conducted a targeted recall of only 3,000 Model Y vehicles thanks to this level of detailed tracking.”

Early adopters have found this functionality invaluable and are requesting expanded capabilities. Tracking a component throughout its lifecycle – from procurement to installation, servicing, and beyond – not only generates potential cost savings but also creates a valuable data repository for analysis.

Bridging the Gap Between Design and Manufacturing

Historically, companies have managed these processes using a patchwork of disconnected systems, ranging from legacy software to modern tools. For example, design work may occur in collaborative AR environments and be stored in the cloud, but this progress can be hindered when transferred to factories utilizing outdated workflows.

“Many companies rely on a combination of generic tracking tools, email correspondence, spreadsheets, and fragmented processes. We are seeing an increasing number of customers transitioning away from these legacy systems in pursuit of digital transformation,” Talati noted.

Image Credits: First Resonance

A Competitive Advantage

Even well-resourced companies capable of developing custom solutions are choosing to implement Ion, mirroring the strategy of other successful businesses that opt for readily available, market-tested processes rather than investing significant time and resources in internal development.

Future Growth and Development

The $14 million Series A funding round was spearheaded by Craft Ventures, with contributions from Blue Bear Capital, Fika Ventures, Stage VP, and Wavemaker. These funds will be allocated to scaling operations and enhancing the platform, particularly the sales and marketing teams. The product roadmap includes integrating additional data sources to provide real-time, actionable insights and expanding the Software Development Kit (SDK) to support a wider range of factories and hardware types.

“Our customers are embracing a flexible, data-driven approach, and Ion is ideally suited to facilitate this,” concluded Talati.

Co-founders COO Neal Sarraf (left) and CEO Karan Talati. Image Credits: First Resonance