CloudNC Raises $20M to Expand AI-Powered Machining Automation

CloudNC has landed $20 million in fresh funding to broaden deployment of its artificial intelligence-driven precision machining solutions across manufacturing supply chains worldwide. Nimble Ventures, a US-based venture capital firm, spearheaded the financing round, joined by Calculus Venture Capital, Entrepreneur First, and LM Ventures—the venture capital division of Lockheed Martin.

Established in 2015, CloudNC maintains its main office in London alongside a working production facility in Chelmsford. The organization has previously received investment from Atomico and Episode 1 Ventures and maintains strategic relationships with both Autodesk and Lockheed Martin.

Suppliers of precision components must navigate the competing demands of maintaining strict manufacturing tolerances while meeting accelerated production timelines. CloudNC's primary offering, CAM Assist, leverages AI to streamline computer numerical control (CNC) programming by automatically creating machining approaches and cutting paths derived from computer-aided manufacturing designs, thereby speeding up manufacturing cycles.

Automating CNC programming for supplier networks

The platform reduces the time required to move from engineering specifications to actual factory work, enabling shop floor operators to boost their output of finished parts.

According to CloudNC, CAM Assist operates in more than 1,000 machine facilities around the globe, with several hundred of these located throughout the United States. Lockheed Martin and Major Tool and Machine represent confirmed customers using the technology.

Theo Saville, CEO and co-founder of CloudNC, said: "Machine shops everywhere are under pressure to quote and program faster, and deliver more with the people and machines they already have.

John Burbank, founder of Nimble Ventures, noted that streamlined CNC operations will facilitate "massive increases in onshoring of manufacturing and global production" within precision industrial supply networks.

CloudNC intends to deploy the new capital toward expanding market reach, strengthening technical assistance capabilities, and growing partnership initiatives across multiple geographic markets.

AI quoting targets procurement turnaround times

The company is introducing Quote Agent, an AI-powered cost estimation platform set to launch in late 2026.

Creating cost estimates constitates a significant bottleneck in manufacturing operations. The process of reviewing incoming design files, determining production durations, and setting component costs continues to rely heavily on manual work, creating potential for administrative slowdowns or pricing errors that emerge during actual manufacturing.

Quote Agent harnesses AI capabilities for preliminary cost analysis, permitting manufacturers to deliver customer quotations swiftly while maintaining consistency in pricing methodology.

Saville stated: "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 continued: "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."

Knox Systems partnership advances FedRAMP authorisation

CloudNC is partnering with Knox Systems to obtain FedRAMP certification for CAM Assist.

The certification pathway targets approval of CAM Assist for use by federal agencies, defence industry suppliers, and aerospace firms that operate under government data security requirements.

Once approved, the certification would enable government and defence-sector manufacturers to implement automated toolpath generation in federally regulated manufacturing operations.