Isembard to open AI-powered factory in Ukraine for deftech component manufacturing

British startup Isembard has raised $50m and announced plans to scale into the German, French and Ukrainian markets. The round was led by Union Square Ventures. The company builds modular factories operating on an AI platform. Its Ukrainian factory will serve clients in the aerospace, deftech and robotics sectors, Isembard CEO Alexander Fitzgerald told Defender Media.

The company plans to open the facility in Ukraine this year. It will take three months to launch once a general manager for the local office is in place – a search is currently underway. The local team will comprise five people in total.

The amount of investment in the opening of the plant is not disclosed. The CEO says they typically start with a small factory of 185 to 464 square metres. Meanwhile, the cost of opening an Isembard franchise in the United Kingdom is usually £175,000–£300,000, according to the company’s website.

Isembard’s factories produce precision components for deftech startups, including Anduril, Tekever, ARX Robotics and Rowden. The company also counts New Orbit, which builds satellites, among its clients. Isembard has already been in touch with the Ukrainian Embassy in London, but the CEO says they’d like to expand their cooperation.

Isembard’s production is managed by an AI system called MasonOS, which automates and accelerates manufacturing processes. The production workflow is as follows:

• A client submits a 3D model of a component;
• The AI analyses it to determine cost and lead time;
• Automated scheduling and task distribution across machines takes place;
• Parts are delivered faster than by traditional suppliers, according to Isembard.

Six factories are currently operational and have produced more than 35,000 products. The company plans to have 25 factories by the end of the year. Isembard also offers a franchising model for opening new factories or transforming existing ones.