CloudNC, the UK-based manufacturing software startup, has secured $20 million in a Series B funding extension round, bringing its total capital raised to $128 million. Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer Theo Saville announced the investment on Wednesday, September 9, 2026.
This latest capital injection will support the expansion of the company’s AI-powered manufacturing automation software, with a focus on addressing persistent bottlenecks within the advanced manufacturing sector and enhancing its global reach.
CloudNC drives advanced manufacturing automation
This significant funding arrives at a critical juncture for industrial firms worldwide. Many manufacturing operations currently grapple with escalating production demands and a persistent shortage of skilled labour.
CloudNC’s technology, particularly its flagship CAM Assist software, aims to address these pressures by enhancing efficiency and productivity. It does so without replacing human expertise, positioning the software as a strategic tool to bolster manufacturing capabilities and accelerate product development.
CloudNC, founded in 2015 by Theo Saville and Chris Emery, has established a specialised position in computer numerical control (CNC) machining. Its primary product, CAM Assist, leverages artificial intelligence to automate intricate programming steps.
This automation significantly reduces the time and effort traditionally required to prepare parts for machining, a critical aspect of future industrial operations and overall productivity.
CNC machining forms the backbone of various industries, from automotive and defence to the rapidly evolving consumer hardware sectors. Before a component can undergo precision cutting, a machinist or programmer must carry out a meticulous process.
This involves determining the optimal method for holding the part, selecting the correct tools, and establishing precise cutting parameters. Traditionally, this ideation phase is both time-consuming and heavily reliant on deep human expertise.
CAM Assist integrates directly into existing computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) systems, such as Autodesk Fusion or Mastercam. The software autonomously selects appropriate tools, approach directions, and critical cutting feeds and speeds. Crucially, it then generates the necessary G-code to instruct the CNC machine, streamlining a vital step that previously demanded significant manual input and deep expertise in machining strategies.
Saville emphasises that CAM Assist functions more like an “expert assistant” to programmers. It automates much of the initial programming and repetitive setup involved in CNC programming.
This allows skilled personnel to dedicate their time to reviewing, refining, and approving the generated approach. The result is increased efficiency and productivity, empowering human operators rather than making them redundant. The system is capable of completing up to 80% of programming tasks in minutes.
Strategic Investment Powers Global Reach
The recent $20 million Series B extension round attracted substantial participation from several key investors. Nimble Ventures led the financing, with additional contributions from Calculus Venture Capital, Entrepreneur First, and LM Ventures, the dedicated venture capital fund of aerospace and defence giant Lockheed Martin.
This fresh injection of capital is intended to support the wider adoption of CAM Assist and strengthen CloudNC’s go-to-market operations. The company plans to significantly expand its presence in existing markets.
There will be a particular focus on the United States, where 80% of its current customer base is located. CloudNC also aims to explore new markets, leveraging its current team of 80 employees to meet growing demand for significant industrial investments in automation.
This latest funding round follows a substantial $45 million Series B round secured in June 2022. That earlier investment brought the total disclosed funding at the time to approximately $100 million.
Autodesk, a prominent player in design and manufacturing software, led that round, with additional participation from Lockheed Martin and British Patient Capital.
These earlier investments underscore the strategic importance that major industrial players attach to CloudNC’s technology, particularly as nations increasingly focus on reshoring manufacturing to the U.S.
Chris Moran, executive director and general manager of Lockheed Martin Ventures, previously articulated the value he sees in CloudNC’s vision. He specifically highlighted the potential for end-to-end autonomous manufacturing to generate significant value for large-scale operations.
Moran indicated that Lockheed Martin anticipates working with CloudNC as the company develops its vision for a fully autonomous supply chain and improved capabilities for the defence contractor.
Introducing Quote Agent: fast-tracking project assessment
Beyond the continuous development of CAM Assist, the new capital will also accelerate the launch of additional products. One such innovation, Quote Agent, is expected to launch in October 2026. This AI-powered tool is designed to help manufacturers rapidly assess the estimated cost and risks associated with new projects, streamlining a critical business function.
Quote Agent directly addresses another significant bottleneck prevalent in the manufacturing process: the speed and accuracy of project quotations. By providing rapid, data-driven assessments, the software enables machine shops to make faster, more informed decisions about whether to accept or reject new work.
This capability is becoming increasingly vital in a shifting geopolitical landscape, where supply chain resilience and localised production are increasingly important.
Saville pointed to the growing trend of reshoring manufacturing operations, particularly in the U.S. This industrial shift is further complicated by a persistent shortage of skilled manufacturing workers across many regions. In this demanding environment, machine shops are under pressure to optimise their existing resources.
This means quoting faster, programming more efficiently, and increasing output with their current workforce and machinery. Quote Agent supports this objective by offering a way to improve efficiency amid ongoing manufacturing skills challenges.
The inherent complexity of CNC programming is considerable. Saville estimates that there are more ways to machine a typical CNC part than there are atoms in the universe. CloudNC has dedicated years to tackling this specific problem, developing its solutions through rigorous testing and refinement.
This iterative process takes place at the company’s unique, full-stack factory, strategically located in Essex, United Kingdom.
The Broader Push for Industrial Autonomy
CloudNC’s Essex facility serves a role beyond that of a software development hub. It also operates as a fully functional, aerospace-accredited (AS9100D) manufacturing plant.
This unique setup allows the company to continuously refine and validate its software in a demanding, real-world production environment. It ensures that CAM Assist and future products are robust, practical, and responsive to industry needs.
The company’s overarching mission is to catalyse a clean and sustainable industrial revolution through advanced automation. By rethinking, developing, and optimising every level of precision manufacturing, CloudNC aims to transition towards a reality of “one-click manufacturing”.
This vision aims to deliver greater efficiency while supporting a more sustainable approach to industrial production, reducing waste and optimising resource utilisation.
