CloudNC's $20M Raise: What It Means for AI Machining

Jan de Vries · 2026-09-09

CloudNC, a London-based startup that builds AI software for precision machining, just raised $20 million (€17.2 million). The round was led by Nimble Ventures, a US venture investor, with participation from Calculus Venture Capital, Entrepreneur First, and LM Ventures, Lockheed Martin's venture fund. So what's the big deal? CloudNC is on a mission to make machine shops faster and more efficient using artificial intelligence. And with this fresh capital, they're ready to scale up. ### What CloudNC Does Founded in 2015, CloudNC develops AI that accelerates CAM programming, maximizes factory output, and helps machinists get more done. Their flagship product, CAM Assist, uses AI to slash the time it takes to create CNC machining strategies and toolpaths. According to the company, this lets teams move from design to production faster and helps skilled operators boost their output. Theo Saville, CEO and co-founder of CloudNC, put it simply: "Machine shops everywhere are under pressure to quote and program faster, and deliver more with the people and machines they already have. This investment allows us to stay focused on what matters most to our customers: making CAM Assist even more effective at accelerating daily production, expanding into more markets, and developing new AI products that address critical bottlenecks across machining workflows." ### From Early Adoption to Commercial Scale This funding comes at a pivotal moment. CloudNC is transitioning from early adoption of CAM Assist to broader commercial scale. The company is also working with Knox Systems to achieve FedRAMP certification for CAM Assist. That's a big deal because it will allow US government agencies, defense contractors, and other organizations with strict security and compliance needs to use CAM Assist for sensitive manufacturing workloads. John Burbank, founder of Nimble Ventures, sees huge potential: "CloudNC's automation of CNC will enable massive increases in onshoring of manufacturing and global production of mission-critical components." ### Traction and New Products CloudNC's technology is already used by more than 1,000 machine shops globally, including hundreds in the US. The customer base is growing rapidly in new markets, and notable customers include Lockheed Martin, Major Tool, and Machine. But CloudNC isn't stopping there. They're developing Quote Agent, set to launch later in 2026. Quote Agent assesses new jobs and prepares quotes. By applying AI to quoting and estimating, CloudNC aims to help manufacturers respond to customer inquiries more quickly and consistently, reduce administrative effort, and improve confidence in early-stage job assessment. Saville explained: "Quote Agent is a natural next step for CloudNC as we seek to accelerate global machining with AI. CAM Assist already helps machinists get parts onto machines faster; Quote Agent will help shops assess new work, prepare quotes more efficiently and respond to customers with greater confidence." He added, "Quoting is one of the biggest hidden bottlenecks in precision machining: move too slowly and shops can lose the opportunity, or price inaccurately and they can lose margin once the job reaches production. We believe our AI can make quoting faster, more consistent and more scalable, helping manufacturers win more of the right work while keeping expert judgement firmly in control." ### What's Next for CloudNC The company plans to use the capital to help more machine shops adopt its AI solutions and expand into new and existing markets. The funding will also support the development and launch of new products, including Quote Agent. Additionally, CloudNC will invest in its go-to-market operations, building commercial presence, customer support, and partner activity in fast-growing markets. In short, CloudNC is positioning itself at the forefront of AI-driven manufacturing, and this raise gives them the fuel to accelerate. For an industry under constant pressure to do more with less, that's a development worth watching.