Foundation Alloy has developed a new solid-state alloying technique that smashes metal powders together instead of melting them, creating superior materials. The company has raised $22 million in Series A funding to scale production.
Foundation Alloy's innovative metal-making process could lead to more durable, cost-effective, and energy-efficient materials across a wide range of industries, from military applications to consumer goods, potentially disrupting traditional manufacturing and material science.
Foundation Alloy, an early-stage startup, has developed a novel solid-state alloying technique that creates superior metal properties by smashing metal powder particles together rather than melting them. This method, which uses significantly less energy than traditional processes, allows for the creation of materials that can withstand both high heat and mechanical stress, overcoming limitations of conventional alloying.
The company is currently selling its bespoke metals in small batches and is experiencing demand from various sectors, including automotive, aerospace, semiconductor, defense, luxury watches, and chef's knives. Jake Guglin, co-founder and CEO, stated that the company's growth is constrained by production capacity rather than demand.
To scale its operations, Foundation Alloy has raised $22 million in a Series A funding round led by Voyager Ventures. Other participants include Trust Ventures, Yamaha Motors, America’s Frontier Fund, Overlap Holdings, Material Impact, Engine Ventures, El Cap, and Kanematsu Corporation. Kanematsu Corporation will also assist in distributing the startup's metals in Japan and Southeast Asia.
The technology is rooted in 20 years of scientific research led by Tim Rupert and Chris Schuh, focusing on nanoscale metal behavior. Schuh's previous entrepreneurial experience includes co-founding Desktop Metal and Xtalic.