Revel crosses $1B valuation with $150M raise for hardware testing
What's the deal? Revel, a Los Angeles startup building software to test and control complex hardware systems, has raised $150 million in Series B funding. The round, led by Index Ventures with participation from Redpoint Ventures and returning backers Thrive Capital, Felicis, and Abstract Ventures, values the company at just over $1 billion.
Founded 16 months ago by Scott MortonDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →, a former SpaceX engineer who led software engineering for Starship, Revel's platform helps companies running rockets, nuclear reactors, and other high-stakes machinery reduce testing times dramatically. One customer, Impulse Space, cut engine igniter deployment from two to three weeks down to four days.
Why now? The software controlling much of America's critical hardware infrastructure is decades old — some predates the internet. As hardware systems become more autonomous and software-driven, companies are scrambling for modern tools.
Revel has already landed customers including Impulse Space, Radiant Nuclear, and Astro MechanicaDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →. Morton said he has begun talks with oil and gas companies, signalling demand beyond aerospace.
What could go wrong? Competition for qualified programmers is fierce, with AI companies hoovering up talent. Revel will need to recruit aggressively to scale.
The company must also prove its software can work across industries as different as defence and biomedical devices.
The signal: Hardware is seeing a renaissance moment, said Nina AchadjianDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →, the Index partner who led the round and joined Revel's board. Physical Intelligence has raised hundreds of millions for software that interacts with the physical world.
Investors see this space as relatively insulated from AI disruption. As Redpoint partnerAlex BardDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom → put it: supervising rocket engine launches "is not something you can vibecode."
Sources:
Pulse 2.0
Business Wire
Yahoo Finance
The New York Times
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