Defense-manufacturing startup Hadrian has raised $260 million in Series C financing led by Peter Thiel’s Founders Fund, with Lux Capital co-leading and additional participation from Andreessen Horowitz and Altimeter Capital. The investment, announced 17 July, follows a $92 million round in late 2023 and underscores growing venture interest in U.S. defense production. Hadrian will use the proceeds to build a 270,000-square-foot factory in Mesa, Arizona, slated to open by Christmas and add about 350 jobs. The Hawthorne, California-based company also plans to expand its Torrance facility and open as many as five additional sites over the next year to meet demand from the U.S. Navy and other Defense Department customers. Founded and led by Chief Executive Officer Chris Power, Hadrian deploys robotics and artificial intelligence to automate production of precision components for aerospace, space and naval programs. Power said the goal is to "supercharge" American workers and close a domestic skills gap as Washington seeks to strengthen the defense industrial base against Chinese competition.