CloudNC, a UK startup developing software for manufacturing, announced that it had raised $20 million in a Series B extension, bringing its total funding since its founding to $128 million. The round comes about four years after the company’s last major funding round, according to co-founder and CEO Theo Saville.
CloudNC was founded in 2015 by Saville and Chris Emery, who currently serves as chief science officer. Its CAM Assist product focuses on automating part of the preparation work for computer numerical control (CNC) machining operations—processes that use automatically programmed machines to cut and shape materials into parts for sectors such as automotive, defense and consumer devices.
From Suggesting a Machining Strategy to Preparing the Code
Before a part can begin manufacturing, the operator or computer-aided manufacturing programmer must make decisions about how to secure the workpiece, which tools to use, approach directions, cutting speeds and feed rates. CloudNC says traditional CAM systems provide powerful tools, but in many workflows they leave programmers responsible for manually determining the machining strategy.
CAM Assist works as an add-on to traditional CAM systems, including Autodesk Fusion and Mastercam. The software suggests tools, approach directions and operating speeds, then generates a draft of the code that guides a CNC machine. The output does not proceed to execution automatically; the user reviews, modifies and approves it before it is adopted.
According to Saville, the tool is not intended to eliminate the role of experts, but to reduce repetitive initial thinking and setup work so skilled programmers can review and improve suggestions more quickly. More than 1,000 machine shops worldwide use CAM Assist, while the United States accounts for 80% of the company’s customer base, which includes factories and other companies.
Funding for Expansion and a New Pricing Tool
Nimble Ventures led the round, with participation from Calculus Venture Capital, Entrepreneur First and LM Capital, Lockheed Martin’s investment arm. CloudNC has a team of 80 employees, and says its main goal is to expand product adoption, strengthen its go-to-market operations and scale in existing and new markets, alongside developing additional products.
Among these products is Quote Agent, a tool aimed at manufacturers for estimating the cost and potential risks of a new project, helping machine shops make a faster decision about whether to accept or reject the work. Saville said its launch was scheduled for the month following the announcement.
Why Does This Matter?
The funding represents more than the expansion of a software product; it illustrates a trend toward introducing artificial intelligence at a practical and sensitive point in the manufacturing chain: converting a part model into an executable machining plan. The potential value here is tied to reducing programming and quoting time, not replacing the machine or eliminating human review.
However, the source does not provide independent figures on the extent of cost or setup-time reductions, nor does it clarify the scope of CAM Assist’s support for different machines and materials. As a result, the practical benefit remains linked to the accuracy of the system’s suggestions and the ability of manufacturing teams to verify them before operating the equipment. The future announcement of Quote Agent also does not yet establish its actual performance in estimating risks or prices.